In 2025, not a single top-grossing film featured a woman of color aged 45 or older in a leading or co-leading role. 2. Portrayal Trends & Tropes

Female characters in their 40s account for only 16% of roles, compared to 35% for women in their 30s. In contrast, male characters see an increase in opportunities as they move into their 40s (31%).

Women aged 60 and older represent just 2% of major female characters, while men in the same age bracket account for 8% of major male roles.

Modern cinema increasingly critiques the "cultural demonization" of aging, yet stereotypes remain prevalent:

Research - Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film

The percentage of top-grossing films with female protagonists plummeted from 42% in 2024 to 29% in 2025 .

Industry studies from early 2026 highlight a widening gap between younger and older female characters: