: AARP research shows that older adults want authentic representation and often stop watching when midlife characters are portrayed as "frail or frumpy."
: Research from the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film found that while most male characters are in their 30s and 40s, female characters remain concentrated in their 20s and 30s. Women aged 60 and older accounted for just 2% of major female characters in 2025's top-grossing films.
Audience surveys suggest a disconnect between what viewers want and what studios are producing.
: A 2026 USC Annenberg study revealed that in 2025, not a single film in the top 100 grossing titles featured a woman of color aged 45 or older in a leading or co-leading role.
Several 2025–2026 cultural analyses highlight a shift toward celebrating midlife and senior women as "bankable" stars who are redefining traditional notions of aging.
: The Guardian discusses how older female artists are appearing in major films and awards circuits, suggesting that the "older Hollywood woman" has become successful because of her age, not despite it.
While mature women are increasingly reclaiming the spotlight, recent industry reports indicate that their representation remains highly volatile. The following articles and studies from 2025 and 2026 provide a comprehensive look at the current landscape for mature women in entertainment.