Development of the Gender Pay Gap in the Global Film Industry

Abstract

This study examines the existence and determinants of the gender pay gap in the global film industry.  Drawing on labour economics theory and the concept of superstar markets, the research investigates  whether gender significantly influences actor earnings after controlling for key economic and market-  related factors. The empirical analysis is based on a dataset of 40 top-paid actors between 2018 and 2023,  combining data from Forbes rankings, IMDb, and Box Office Mojo. Using ordinary least squares  regression, the study evaluates the impact of gender, actor productivity, box-office performance, and  audience ratings on income. The results reveal a substantial and statistically significant gender pay gap,  with male actors earning considerably more than female actors even after controlling for observable  characteristics. Box-office success and the number of film appearances are found to be significant positive  determinants of earnings, while audience ratings do not have a significant effect. The findings suggest that  commercial performance plays a dominant role in compensation, but also indicate the presence of  persistent structural inequalities affecting female actors. The study contributes to the literature on gender  inequality in creative industries and highlights the need for further research into institutional and market-  based drivers of wage disparities.