Top 10 Most Diverse Films of 2017

And how they fared at the box office.

Written by Li Lai

Other Top 10 Most Diverse Films: 2023 / 2022 / 2020 / 2019 / 2018 / 2017

A s the founder of Mediaversity Reviews, onscreen representation is my bread and butter. There are plenty of critics out there who review by traditional metrics, but not enough of them seem to be talking about how inclusive films are.

That’s why I score my reviews on a mix of technical merit, gender parity, and racial diversity. Themes that may see bonus points or deductions include representation of LGBTQ, adults over 60, disability, or diverse body types.

This is by no means an exhaustive list—I reviewed 49 of the 724 films that came out in theaters this year—and if I was judging on cultural impact, it would look a bit different. Get Out and Wonder Woman may not have made this list which prioritizes intersectionality, but their successes are profound and already paving the way for more diverse storytelling.

Without further ado, here are Mediaversity’s Top 10 picks of the year!

10. Coco

Coco proves how lucrative authentic storytelling can be as it continues to top box offices around the world.

Mediaversity Score: 4.25/5
Production Budget: ~$200.0M
Worldwide Gross: $807.1M

Read the review

9. Saban’s Power Rangers

Power Rangers continues its history of inclusiveness, starring a black character with autism, a Latina questioning her sexuality, and a non-stereotypical Asian teenager alongside others.

Mediaversity Score: 4.33/5
Production Budget: $120.0M
Worldwide Gross: $140.8M

Read the review

8. Wonder

Wonder focuses on how painful it can be to stand out, filling out its cast with support characters of color and flipping gender roles in subtle, but meaningful ways.

Mediaversity Score: 4.42/5
Production Budget: $20.0M
Worldwide Gross: $305.9M

Read the review

7. Atomic Blonde

Atomic Blonde puts Charlize Theron front and center as a complex, bisexual action heroine.

Mediaversity Score: 4.44/5
Production Budget: $30.0M
Worldwide Gross: $96.7M

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6. The Big Sick

In The Big Sick, Kumail Nanjiani delivers a deeply personal, immigrant tale of culture clash and love.

Mediaversity Score: 4.50/5
Production Budget: $5.0M
Worldwide Gross: $53.0M

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5. Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi

Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi delivers the franchise’s first Asian American lead, alongside diverse characters like Finn, Rey, and Poe.

Mediaversity Score: 4.50/5
Production Budget: $317.0M
Worldwide Gross: $1.3B

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4. Lady Bird

Lady Bird manages to deliver complexity to an impressive swathe of characters that include women, people of color, LGBTQ, and diverse body types.

Mediaversity Score: 4.83/5
Production Budget: $10.0M
Worldwide Gross: $78.6M

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3. Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures started the year off with a bang, reminding audiences that black women hold integral roles in American history and STEM fields.

Mediaversity Score: 4.83/5
Production Budget: $25.0M
Worldwide Gross: $232.3M

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2. Girls Trip

Girls Trip is a riotous celebration of black sisterhood.

Mediaversity Score: 4.83/5
Production Budget: $19.0M
Worldwide Gross: $138.1M

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1. Columbus

For the aesthetes, Columbus is a moving, human tale that highlights our commonalities beyond surface differences of culture, age, or income level.

Mediaversity Score: 4.92/5
Production Budget: $1.0M
Worldwide Gross: $1.0M

Read the review

Updated December 29, 2018 to provide final worldwide grosses.

Sources: The Numbers and Box Office Mojo

Mediaversity Reviews grades TV & films on gender, race, LGBTQ, disability, and more. Follow us on Bluesky, Twitter, and Facebook to join the conversation!