: A major study by the Geena Davis Institute found that out of 225 films featuring women over 40, only 6% mentioned menopause—often only as a joke.
: Women aged 60 and older are virtually invisible, accounting for only 2% to 3% of all major female characters in top-grossing films and broadcast TV.
A significant decline in visibility for mature women has been documented across film, television, and advertising:
: Representation drops precipitously as female characters age. Research from the San Diego State University Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film shows major female characters on broadcast TV drop from 42% in their 30s to just 15% in their 40s.
: The number of top-grossing films featuring female leads plummeted to 39 in 2025, a seven-year low from a high of 55 in 2024.
: In 2025, not a single top-100 grossing film featured a woman of color aged 45 or older in a leading or co-leading role. Key Themes and Critiques
Critics and industry observers highlight a "mismatch" between the reality of aging and how it is portrayed on screen.
: A 2026 review noted that while older men are often portrayed as gaining "gravitas and wisdom," older women are frequently relegated to being "senile, homebound, or frumpy".
