In 2024, female protagonists reached parity with males, appearing in 42% of the top 100 films. However, only 8 of those 100 films featured a woman aged 45 or older in a leading role.
Mature women on screen are often confined to specific, limited archetypes. Women over 40 in film: 2026 Oscars 2026 and Complex Roles maya devine milf fight
Men over 40 are significantly more likely to land lead roles than their female counterparts. For example, in 2023, only three films featured a woman 45+ in a lead role, compared to 32 films for men in that age bracket. 2. Narrative Challenges & Stereotypes In 2024, female protagonists reached parity with males,