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Contra CNN, *Lots* of Women Were in Leading Roles in Blockbusters This Year

Maleficent ($241 million domestic gross)
December 30, 2014

Wow, guys, did you hear about this? Apparently there were virtually no women in the blockbusters you saw this year! Crazy, right? Here's Lorenza Brascia at CNN:

Screen Shot 2014-12-30 at 9.34.14 PM

Whoa! Wow, she's right, I just can't think of a single woman in a leading role in a big Hollywood movie this year.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay ($309 million domestic gross, and counting)
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay ($309 million domestic, and counting)

Not a single one.

Maleficent ($241 million domestic gross)
Maleficent ($241 million domestic gross)

I mean, I go to a lot of movies, y'all.

Guardians of the Galaxy ($333 million domestic gross)
Guardians of the Galaxy ($333 million domestic gross)

And I'm having a very difficult time coming up with any movies that starred women in significant roles.

The Lego Movie ($258 million domestic gross)
The Lego Movie ($258 million domestic gross)

It's really pretty stunning to think about.

Interstellar ($178 million domestic gross)
Interstellar ($178 million domestic gross)

This sort of sexism cannot be allowed to stand.

Gone Girl ($166 million domestic gross)
Gone Girl ($166 million domestic gross)

It's really pretty horrible.

Divergent ($151 million domestic gross)
Divergent ($151 million domestic gross)

I mean, are there no properties out there that appeal to women?

The Fault in Our Stars ($125 million domestic gross)
The Fault in Our Stars ($125 million domestic gross)

Oh, I can just hear all the excuses right now. Women can't be action stars.

Lucy, Captain America: The Winter Soldier ($127 million and $260 million domestic grosses, respectively)
Lucy, Captain America: The Winter Soldier ($127 million and $260 million domestic grosses, respectively)

That they can't do comedy.

Neighbors ($150 million domestic gross)
Neighbors ($150 million domestic gross)

That they can't be trusted to anchor tentpoles or hold their own with male superstars.

Edge of Tomorrow ($100 million domestic gross)
Edge of Tomorrow ($100 million domestic gross)

This is all absurd. Maybe one day—one day!—we'll have a society that values the contributions of women equally. Maybe one day we'll have a situation in which women are featured in leading roles. I for one look forward to a future in which I have better than a "slim to none" chance of seeing a woman in a leading role in a Hollywood blockbuster!

/sarc