Milftoon Grounded [v0.01] Direct

Research - Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film

: In 2025, lead roles for women hit a seven-year low . Only 39 of the top 100 films featured female leads, down from 55 in 2024. Milftoon Grounded [v0.01]

: For women of color over 45, the situation is even more dire; a USC study found that not a single top-grossing film in 2025 featured a woman of color in this age bracket in a lead or co-lead role. Research - Center for the Study of Women

: Films are increasingly placing mature women at the heart of stories as complex, strong individuals. The 2026 Oscars highlights this trend, with more women over 40 playing nuanced roles navigating agency and ambition rather than just domestic tropes. : Films are increasingly placing mature women at

: Despite high-profile successes, the majority of female characters remain in their 20s and 30s. Women over 60 are dramatically underrepresented, accounting for only 2% of major female characters in top-grossing films.

: The number of women directing top 100 films fell for the second consecutive year in 2026, with only 11 women directing films on the 2025 Top 100 list—a drop of nearly half since 2023. 3. The Influence of Streaming and Independent Platforms