This report examines the state of mature women (typically defined as those over 40 or 50) in entertainment and cinema, focusing on data from late 2024 through early 2026. While veteran actresses are currently driving some of the most critically acclaimed content on television, the film industry has recently seen a regression in the volume of lead roles for this demographic. 1. Representation and Lead Roles (2024–2026)
: Lead roles for women in top-grossing films hit a seven-year low in 2025 . Only 39 of the top 100 films in 2025 featured a female lead or co-lead, a sharp drop from a historic high of 55 in 2024.
: In contrast, mature women are flourishing on TV. In the 2024-25 season, the number of women creators on streaming programs reached a historic high of 36% .
Current data indicates a widening gap between television and theatrical film.