While LGBTQ representation in mainstream kids films has steadily improved in recent years, 2024 “fell alarmingly short” in this regard, according to new data from GLAAD.

The advocacy org has released its 13th annual Studio Responsibility Index (SRI), which measures representation in last year’s movies from the top 10 studio distributors (Disney, Netflix, WBD, Paramount, Apple TV+, NBCUniversal, Amazon, Lionsgate, A24 and Sony).

Across all genres, GLAAD says LGBTQ-inclusive movies from major studios dipped to 23.6% last year—a three-year low, with the figure down from 27.3% in 2023 and 28.5% in 2022. (The index focuses on this time frame because GLAAD updated its methodology in 2022 to include both theatrical releases and original films from streaming services.)

Moreover, only 8% of the tracked family movies (two out of 26) featured LGBTQ characters last year—down from 15% in 2023 (four out of 27) and 21% in 2022 (eight out of 39).

Last year’s two LGBTQ-inclusive family movies—defined as animated and children’s films rated PG and under—were Thelma the Unicorn (pictured, Netflix), featuring a lesbian couple; and No Time To Spy: A Loud House Movie (Paramount), with one character who has gay dads. 

“Though it is wonderful to see queer parents in these films, every single character had under one minute of screen time and was insignificant to the plot,” the report says. 

The study points to an underserved audience for family movies that include well-represented LGBTQ characters and storylines, considering that 18% of LGBTQ adults in the US (2.57 million) are parents of a child and/or teenager, according to the Williams Institute.

On the positive side, several 2024 films that were geared towards teen and YA audiences were rated highly in the GLAAD report. Paramount Pictures’ musical reboot Mean Girls, Netflix’s coming-of-age sports drama Rez Ball and Hulu’s high school comedy Prom Dates all passed the org’s “Vito Russo Test,” which determines meaningful LGBTQ representation. (This test analyzes markers like unique character traits, avoidance of harmful stereotypes and importance in the broader storyline.)

Looking ahead, the SRI also highlighted where studios can harness strong opportunities for representation in upcoming releases. 

For instance, with Paramount set to release an Aang: The Last Airbender feature in 2026, the report noted that there’s room to grow the franchise’s existing queer characters, including the titular one in The Legend of Korra. And Disney has plenty of upcoming films with the scope to feature more LGBTQ characters, such as Toy Story 5 (building on the introduction of Alisha and her wife in the franchise’s last film Lightyear) and the much-anticipated Bluey: The Movie in 2027 (which could potentially include Pretzel, a pal of Bluey’s who has two moms).

The full SRI report is available on the GLAAD website.