: While female actors have gained ground, the percentages of mature female directors and studio executives controlling greenlight budgets still lag behind.

(optional) would include a list of notable underused actresses (e.g., Angela Bassett, Regina King, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helen Mirren – despite her success, she is an outlier) and contact data for advocacy groups like ReFrame or The Geena Davis Institute .

But we are still hungry for more. We want action heroes over 60. We want romantic leads over 70. We want horror movies where the "final girl" has arthritis and a shotgun.

Media researchers are finally noticing that mature women are among the most dedicated cinema-goers and entertainment consumers. Leading the Way: In recent years, stars like Frances McDormand (Nomadland) and Jean Smart

The traditional "expiry date" for female actors is being dismantled by a combination of star power, producer-led projects, and a growing audience demand for authenticity. : Powerhouses like Reese Witherspoon , Viola Davis , and Nicole Kidman