Research - Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film
Modern cinema increasingly critiques the "cultural demonization" of aging, yet stereotypes remain prevalent: Research - Center for the Study of Women
The percentage of top-grossing films with female protagonists plummeted from 42% in 2024 to 29% in 2025 . Research - Center for the Study of Women
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 Research - Center for the Study of Women
Industry studies from early 2026 highlight a widening gap between younger and older female characters: