While 2024 was a banner year for female protagonists—reaching near-parity at of top-grossing films—this progress proved volatile. By 2025, female leads in top movies plummeted to a seven-year low of 29%–39% .
: Characters aged 60 and older remain dramatically underrepresented, accounting for just 2% of major female characters While 2024 was a banner year for female
The entertainment industry, including television and streaming platforms, has also seen an increase in mature women taking center stage. Some notable examples include: including television and streaming platforms
: There is still immense pressure to "age well," which often translates to hiding any visible signs of aging through surgery or digital retouching. Stereotypical Tropes a counter-cinema has emerged
Despite the systemic barriers, a counter-cinema has emerged, often from independent, European, or female-led productions.