: A landmark 2025 study found that only 6% of films with a woman over 40 even mentioned menopause, and when they did, it was usually a punchline.
Research - Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film
: Only 4 films in the 2025 top 100 featured a female lead aged 45+, compared to 30 films for men in that same age bracket.
Recent reports from 2025 and 2026 reveal a significant "backslide" in the representation of mature women in entertainment, with aging narratives often remaining invisible or stereotypical. Despite high audience demand for authentic stories about midlife, the industry saw a sharp decline in lead roles and creative leadership for women over 40 in 2025.
: Studios are "leaving money on the table"; 93% of audiences are likely to watch content with leads over 50, and diverse casts consistently drive higher box office returns. Dominant Narratives & Stereotypes
: In 2025, only 39% of top films featured female leads, a 16-point drop from the previous year.
: Women aged 60+ accounted for just 2% of major female characters , while men in that age group made up 8% of major male roles.
