Among all characters aged 50+, approximately 75% are male and only 25% are female .

A 2024 study showed a 14 percentage point drop in women and girls in leading film roles from the previous year, highlighting a stagnation in inclusion efforts.

Women over 50 are significantly more likely than men to be shown as "frumpy," "sickly," or "physically inactive".

Narratives for older women are frequently framed as stories of loss and loneliness; "sad widows" appear in films far more often than "sad widowers".

Only one in four films features a female character over 50 who is essential to the plot and not reduced to an ageist stereotype. 2. Prevalent Tropes and Stereotypes

Mature women remain significantly underrepresented in Hollywood, though recent years have seen a "ripple of change" led by high-profile awards and niche streaming content. While the industry has historically fixated on female youth, contemporary data suggests a growing audience appetite for authentic stories about aging, particularly regarding menopause and late-life agency.