Top 100 Inclusive

FILMS

from 2019 to 2022

INCLUSIVE FILMS

The Inclusion List recognizes the 100 top films from 2019 to 2022 that were the most inclusive on screen and behind the camera.

Cast inclusion focuses on gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+, disability, and age for both leading and all speaking characters.

Crew inclusion focuses on gender and race/ethnicity across 10 key positions

The top 10 films tell a variety of stories and span contemporary and historical time periods, include multiple genres, and thus represent that inclusion is possible in any type of story.

01

The Woman King
Movie poster for The Woman King

Sony Pictures

About

  • Release Year

    2022

    Distributor

    Sony Pictures

    Metacritic Score

    77/100


Inclusion Score

Cast

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 3 out of 10
3out of 10

Crew

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 11 out of 10
11out of 10

Total

14

out of 20

Description

The Woman King is a historical drama film directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. It is based on true events and follows the story of Nanisca, a general of the all-female military unit known as the Agojie, and her daughter Nawi, who fought against French colonialists in 18th century West Africa. The film stars Viola Davis and Thuso Mbedu.

Film Crew

Director 

Gina Prince-Bythewood

Producers

Cathy Schulman, Julius Tennon, Maria Bello, Viola Davis

;

02

The Farewell
Movie poster for The Farewell

A24

About

  • Release Year

    2019

    Distributor

    A24

    Metacritic Score

    89/100


Inclusion Score

Cast

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 5 out of 10
5out of 10

Crew

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 8.6 out of 10
8.6out of 10

Total

13.6

out of 20

Description

The Farewell is a comedy-drama film directed by Lulu Wang. The movie follows a Chinese-American woman named Billi who travels to China with her family to say goodbye to her grandmother, who is dying of cancer. However, the family has decided not to tell the grandmother the truth and instead stages a fake wedding to gather everyone together. The film stars Awkwafina, Tzi Ma, and Diana Lin.

Film Crew

Director 

Lulu Wang

Producers

Anita Gou, Jane Zheng, Andrew Miano, Chris Weitz, Daniele Tate Melia, Marc Turtletaub, Peter Saraf, Lulu Wang

;

03

Zola
Movie poster for Zola

A24

About

  • Release Year

    2021

    Distributor

    A24

    Metacritic Score

    76/100


Inclusion Score

Cast

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 3 out of 10
3out of 10

Crew

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 10.2 out of 10
10.2out of 10

Total

13.2

out of 20

Description

Zola is a biographical crime-comedy-drama film directed by Janicza Bravo. Based on a viral Twitter thread, the film follows a stripper named Zola who embarks on a wild road trip with a new friend to Florida, where they become involved in a dangerous and chaotic scheme.

Film Crew

Director 

Janicza Bravo

Producers

Christine Vachon, Dave Franco, Elizabeth Haggard, Gia Walsh, Kara Baker, Vince Jolivette, David Hinojosa

;

04

Harriet
Movie poster for Harriet

Universal Pictures

About

  • Release Year

    2019

    Distributor

    Universal Pictures

    Metacritic Score

    66/100


Inclusion Score

Cast

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 4 out of 10
4out of 10

Crew

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 9 out of 10
9out of 10

Total

13

out of 20

Description

Harriet is a biographical film directed by Kasi Lemmons. The movie tells the story of Harriet Tubman, a former enslaved person who escapes and becomes a legendary abolitionist, freeing hundreds of enslaved people through the Underground Railroad. The film stars Cynthia Erivo.

Film Crew

Director 

Kasi Lemmons

Producers

Debra Martin Chase, Gregory Allen Howard, Daniela Taplin Lundberg

;

04

Laal Singh Chaddha
Movie poster for Laal Singh Chaddha

Sony Pictures

About

  • Release Year

    2022

    Distributor

    Paramount Pictures

    Metacritic Score

    46/100


Inclusion Score

Cast

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 3 out of 10
3out of 10

Crew

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 10 out of 10
10out of 10

Total

13

out of 20

Description

Laal Singh Chaddha is an Indian comedy-drama film, and an official adaptation of the Hollywood movie Forrest Gump. The movie follows the life of a man named Laal Singh Chaddha as he navigates through various historical events in India from the 1980s to the present day. Aamir Khan stars in the film.

Film Crew

Director 

Advait Chandan

Producers

Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao

;

06

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody
Movie poster for Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

Sony Pictures

About

  • Release Year

    2022

    Distributor

    Sony Pictures

    Metacritic Score

    51/100


Inclusion Score

Cast

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 6 out of 10
6out of 10

Crew

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 6.7 out of 10
6.7out of 10

Total

12.7

out of 20

Description

I Wanna Dance with Somebody is a biographical drama film directed by Kasi Lemmons. The movie follows the life of Whitney Houston, one of the greatest singers of all time, from her rise to fame to her tragic death in 2012. The film stars Naomi Ackie in the role of Whitney Houston.

Film Crew

Director 

Kasi Lemmons

Producers

Molly Smith, Thad Luckinbill, Trent Luckinbill, Christina Papagjika, Clive Davis, Matthew Salloway, Lawrence Mestel, Patricia Houston, Anthony McCarten, Matt Jackson, Denis O'Sullivan, Jeff Kalligheri

;

07

Everybody Knows
Movie poster for Everybody Knows

Universal Pictures

About

  • Release Year

    2019

    Distributor

    Universal Pictures

    Metacritic Score

    68/100


Inclusion Score

Cast

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 3 out of 10
3out of 10

Crew

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 9.5 out of 10
9.5out of 10

Total

12.5

out of 20

Description

Everybody Knows is a Spanish-language mystery-drama film directed by Asghar Farhadi. It follows Laura, who returns to her hometown in Spain with her children to attend her sister's wedding. A sudden disappearance sets off a chain of events that unravel long-held family secrets and expose buried grievances. The film stars Penélope Cruz as Laura.

Film Crew

Director 

Asghar Farhadi

Producers

Alexandre Mallet-Guy, Álvaro Longoria

;

08

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
Movie poster for Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.

Universal Pictures

About

  • Release Year

    2022

    Distributor

    Universal Pictures

    Metacritic Score

    63/100


Inclusion Score

Cast

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 5 out of 10
5out of 10

Crew

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 7.4 out of 10
7.4out of 10

Total

12.4

out of 20

Description

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. depicts the aftermath of a huge scandal in a large church. Trinitie Childs, the first lady of a prominent Southern Baptist Mega Church, attempts to help her pastor-husband, Lee-Curtis Childs, rebuild their congregation.

Film Crew

Director 

Adamma Ebo

Producers

Amandla Crichlow, Daniel Kaluuya, Jessamine Burgum, Kara Durrett, Matthew R. Cooper, Regina Hall, Sterling K. Brown, Adanne Ebo, Rowan Riley

;

09

Broker
Movie poster for Broker

Neon

About

  • Release Year

    2022

    Distributor

    Neon

    Metacritic Score

    77/100


Inclusion Score

Cast

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 3 out of 10
3out of 10

Crew

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 9 out of 10
9out of 10

Total

12

out of 20

Description

Broker is a 2022 South Korean drama film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda and starring Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, Bae Doona, Lee Ji-eun, and Lee Joo-young. The movie revolves around the theme of baby boxes and illegal adoptions. The film was selected for the Palme d'Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Ecumenical Jury Award and the Best Actor Award for Song Kang-ho. It was released in South Korean theaters on June 8, 2022.

Film Crew

Director

Hirokazu Kore-eda

Producer

Eugene Lee

;

09

Little
Movie poster for Little

Universal Pictures

About

  • Release Year

    2019

    Distributor

    Universal Pictures

    Metacritic Score

    49/100


Inclusion Score

Cast

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 4 out of 10
4out of 10

Crew

Gauge ChartChart displaying the value of 8 out of 10
8out of 10

Total

12

out of 20

Description

Little is a fantasy-comedy film about a successful and ruthless tech mogul named Jordan Sanders. After a magical encounter, Jordan is transformed into a 13-year-old version of herself. The film follows Jordan as she navigates her new life as a teenager, with the help of her long-suffering assistant, April. The film stars Regina Hall as adult Jordan, Marsai Martin as teenage Jordan, and Issa Rae as April. The film was directed by Tina Gordon.

Film Crew

Director 

Tina Gordon

Producers

James Lopez, Will Packer, Kenya Barris

;
Top 100 Inclusive Films List
Top 100 Inclusive Films List
#
Film NameYearParent CompanyMetacritic Score
1The Woman King2022Sony Pictures77
2The Farewell2019A2489
3Zola2021A2476
4Harriet2019Universal Pictures66
4Laal Singh Chaddha2022Paramount Pictures46
6Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody2022Sony Pictures51
7Everybody Knows2019Universal Pictures68
8Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.2022Universal Pictures63
9Broker2022Neon77
9Little2019Universal Pictures49
11Brahmastra Part One: Shiva202220th Century Studios57
12Respect2021Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)61
13A Journal for Jordan2021Sony Pictures42
14Queen & Slim2019Universal Pictures74
15A Madea Family Funeral2019Lionsgate39
15Parasite2019Neon96
15The Photograph2020Universal Pictures62
15¿Y cómo es él?2022Lionsgate
19Bodies Bodies Bodies2022A2469
19Miss Bala2019Sony Pictures41
19Umma2022Sony Pictures51
22Black Panther: Wakanda Forever2022Walt Disney Studios67
23Candyman2021Universal Pictures72
24Luce2019Neon72
25The Sun Is Also a Star2019Warner Bros.52
26Poms2019STX Entertainment36
27Together Together2021Bleecker Street Media70
28Booksmart2019Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)84
29Us2019Universal Pictures81
30Till2022Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)79
31Nomadland202120th Century Studios91
32Breakthrough201920th Century Studios46
32Nope2022Universal Pictures77
32Portrait of a Lady on Fire2020Neon95
32The Broken Hearts Gallery2020Sony Pictures57
36Aftersun2022A2495
37Birds of Prey2020Warner Bros.60
37Minari2021A2489
39Breaking2022Bleecker Street Media66
40Boogie2021Universal Pictures54
40Eternals2021Walt Disney Studios52
40The Invitation2022Sony Pictures45
40Where the Crawdads Sing2022Sony Pictures43
44Just Mercy2020Warner Bros.68
44King Richard2021Warner Bros.76
46Easter Sunday2022Universal Pictures41
46Hustlers2019STX Entertainment79
46The New Mutants202020th Century Studios43
49Beast2022Universal Pictures54
50Marry Me2022Universal Pictures51
51The Assistant2019Bleecker Street Media79
52Like a Boss2020Paramount Pictures33
52What Men Want2019Paramount Pictures49
54In the Heights2021Warner Bros.84
55Judas and the Black Messiah2021Warner Bros.85
55Land2021Universal Pictures61
57Women Talking2022Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)79
58Blinded by the Light2019Warner Bros.71
58Fatale2020Lionsgate81
58Five Feet Apart2019Lionsgate42
58Jungle Cruise2021Walt Disney Studios53
58Mr. Malcolm's List2022Bleecker Street Media50
58Titane2021Neon65
64Everything Everywhere All at Once2022A2475
65The Last Black Man in San Francisco2019A2483
66Don't Worry Darling2022Warner Bros.48
66Emily the Criminal2022Roadside Attractions75
66Long Weekend2021Sony Pictures53
69After We Collided2020Open Road Films (II)14
69Gloria Bell2019A2479
69Relic2020IFC Films77
72Jojo Rabbit201920th Century Studios58
72Old2021Universal Pictures55
72She Said2022Universal Pictures74
75Black Widow2021Walt Disney Studios68
76Devotion2022Sony Pictures66
76Dora and the Lost City of Gold2019Paramount Pictures63
76Emma.2020Universal Pictures71
76Glass2019Universal Pictures43
76Living2022Sony Pictures81
76The Eyes of Tammy Faye202120th Century Studios55
76Three Thousand Years of Longing2022Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)60
83The Intruder2019Sony Pictures39
84Don't Breathe 22021Sony Pictures46
85Downton Abbey2019Universal Pictures64
85Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings2021Walt Disney Studios71
85Tár2022Universal Pictures92
88Reminiscence2021Warner Bros.46
89Greta2019Universal Pictures54
89The Last Shift2020Sony Pictures58
91The Mustang2019Universal Pictures77
92C'mon C'mon2021A2482
92Dear Evan Hansen2021Universal Pictures39
92In the Earth2021Neon63
92It Chapter Two2019Warner Bros.58
92Judy2019Roadside Attractions66
92Ma2019Universal Pictures53
92Rambo: Last Blood2019Lionsgate26
92Red Joan2019IFC Films45
92Scream2022Paramount Pictures60
92The Kitchen2019Warner Bros.35

© 2024 Dr. Stacy L. Smith & the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. All Rights Reserved.