For nearly one hundred years, Asian American representation in Hollywood has been limited by exclusion, invisibility, brownface/ yellowface casting, and tired stereotypes, according to a new report.
Yet the last decade ushered in an unprecedented wave of more nuanced representation, and with it, the potential for more Asian and Asian American-led films and TV shows, according to The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) report.
“Still, we’re just at the starting line and Asian Americans—more than other racial groups—link lack of representation to lack of belonging,” says the report, titled “The Case for More Asian and Asian American Narratives in Hollywood.”
For the report TAFF interviewed industry leaders in Hollywood, analyzed viewership data provided by Nielsen, and examined eleven commercially and creatively successful TV shows and films released between 2014-2024.
Key Findings
Despite numerous challenges facing the entertainment industry, TAFF research indicates that having more Asians and Asian Americans onscreen and behind the camera can actually expand audiences, open new markets and generate unexpected revenues.
TAFF sees this potential in three major areas: Talent Opportunities, Audience Size & Engagement and Universal Appeal.
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Current cultural voids can serve as an opening for the introduction of breakout characters and performers, says the report noting, “They have the power and appeal to subvert tropes and expand the definitions of Asian American by reclaiming genres and redefining heroes.”
Commercially, Asian Americans are growing in numbers and over-index in box office sales, it says. “They are hyper-engaged with media and spend more time streaming than the average viewer.”
Asian and Asian American talent are increasingly winning awards and winning over critics, and viewership data confirms that general audiences are increasingly drawn to diverse shows, the report noted.
Asian American Intellectual Property is also burgeoning, with best-sellers and breakthrough stories garnering widespread acclaim.
In a risk-averse industry, commercial incentives for inclusion can refute common challenges to investment in Asian American stories, according to the report.
Through its interviews and case studies,TAFF says it shows how there are action opportunities at every step of the process, identifying the most compelling and effective ways to generate, pitch, sell, cast, and market them.
“Even in a time of industry volatility, we demonstrate how Asian and Asian American TV shows and films can expand audiences, open new markets, and generate more revenue than expected,” it said
“The stakes have never been higher. Asian Americans see themselves as the most marginalized demographic when it comes to representation in film & TV,” according to the report.
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TAAF’s 2025 STAATUS research confirms this: 42% of Americans cannot name a single famous Asian American. Those who could name a character or role for Asian American actors often invoke tropes like Asian American men as martial artists.
Research shows that lack of representation lowers self-esteem and that media bias encourages hate and violence, it said.
“The time is now for more authentic representation of Asian and Asian American lives, culture and creativity on screen.
In 2022, just 6% of Asian characters in the top 100 streaming shows has leading roles, according to the report suggesting, “The system is stuck, but the appetite for breakthrough is bigger than ever.”
Audiences are drawn to diverse storytelling, according to the report. It cites a UCLA study which found that in 2022, “theatrical films with casts 31% to 40% nonwhite had the highest median box office receipts, while films with casts less than 11% nonwhite performed poorest.”