The Ageism of Hollywood: When Will Older Women Get Their Due?

A recent study has shed light on the striking lack of representation of older women in leading roles at the box office. The data, which analyzed the top films from 2023 to 2025 in the UK, found that movies are more likely to feature a talking animal or a man named Chris as the lead than a woman over 60.

Out of the 100 highest-grossing films in the past three years, six starred a man named Chris, while only five featured an older woman as the lead. This disparity is not just a matter of demographics; it’s about the kinds of stories we tell and the kind of society we want to build. Women’s stories, particularly those centered around aging, are being systematically erased from the cinematic landscape.

Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson has long been an advocate for greater representation of older women in film. She notes that “women are half the population and we get older. So where are the stories about us? The older we get, the more interesting we are.” This sentiment is shared by many, including those who participated in a public poll on attitudes towards films featuring older women as leads.

While 39% of respondents said there aren’t enough such films being made, 16% stated that they would be more likely to see a film with an older female lead. This suggests a latent demand for stories about aging women and a recognition that these narratives are missing from our cultural landscape.

Historically, the film industry has been slow to adapt to changing demographics and shifting societal values. Directors like Ida Lupino and Dorothy Arzner broke ground in the 1940s and ’50s with their stories about women’s lives, yet their legacy has been slow to take hold.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in films that challenge traditional notions of age and identity. Films like “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and “Book Club: The Next Chapter” have shown that audiences are hungry for stories about aging women. However, these films remain exceptions rather than the rule.

The Age Without Limits campaign is calling on the film industry to do better, and it’s time for us to listen. As Emma Thompson puts it: “Older women don’t need permission to exist on screen. They already exist in the world; cinema just needs to catch up.” By recognizing the value of these stories and supporting greater representation, we can create a more inclusive and diverse cinematic landscape that reflects our shared humanity.

The question remains: when will older women get their due?