In 2025, female lead roles dropped sharply to 37%. The share of top-grossing films told primarily from a female perspective fell from 42% in 2024 to just 29% in 2025.
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
While 2024 marked a historic peak for female representation in cinema, the industry has experienced a significant regression in 2025 and early 2026. Mature women (over 40) continue to face acute challenges, including extreme narrative stereotypes and a "vanishing act" as they age, despite significant critical and streaming success for films that center their experiences. In 2025, female lead roles dropped sharply to 37%
The landscape for women in film is currently volatile, with gains often proving to be "cosmetic or tenuous". Women over 40 in film: 2026 Oscars 2026