: In 2023, only three films featured a woman aged 45+ in a leading role, whereas 32 films featured men in the same age bracket.
: Women aged 60 and older accounted for only 2% of major female characters in top-grossing films of 2025. milf takes over
Research - Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film : In 2023, only three films featured a
When mature women are cast, their roles often fall into narrow, sometimes negative, categories: Common Tropes and Stereotypes Despite women over 50
: Progress remains slow for older women in decision-making roles; in 2025, women made up 23% of key off-screen roles (directors, writers, producers) on top films. Common Tropes and Stereotypes
Despite women over 50 making up roughly 20% of the population, their presence on screen does not reflect this.
The landscape for mature women in entertainment is currently defined by a sharp "silver ceiling"—a term used to describe the age discrimination and double standards faced by women as they age in Hollywood. While there have been high-profile successes, data from 2024 and 2025 indicates that women over 50 remain significantly underrepresented compared to their male counterparts. The Statistical Gap