According to a 2026 USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study, lead roles for women in the 100 top-grossing films of 2025 plummeted to a seven-year low , with only 39 films featuring a female lead or co-lead, compared to 55 in 2024.
Despite high-profile successes, broad representation for women over 40 has seen a sharp decline in top-grossing films recently. english milf movies
Streaming services have become a critical refuge for complex, mature female characters, largely because they do not rely on traditional broadcast advertising models that often prioritize younger demographics. Beyond the Stereotypes: The Reality of Aging Women in Films According to a 2026 USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative
Representation of characters aged 50+ remains rare. In film, approximately 4 out of 5 characters over 50 are men . When older women are present, they are often relegated to secondary roles like mothers, grandmothers, or characters defined by their physical decline. Beyond the Stereotypes: The Reality of Aging Women