Top films are more likely to star a Chris than an older woman. It's part of a long trend
A recent study highlights the underrepresentation of older women in leading roles in top films. While films starring actors named Chris dominate the box office, only a handful feature women over 60 as leads. This trend raises concerns about the portrayal of aging women in Hollywood and calls for more inclusive storytelling.
- ▪The study analyzed the 100 highest-grossing UK films from 2023 to 2025.
- ▪Only six films featured a lead actor named Chris, while just five films had women over 60 in lead roles.
- ▪The research found that films were four times more likely to have a talking animal lead than a female actor over 60.
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Top films are more likely to star a Chris than older women. It's part of a long trendTBy Tessa FlemmingTopic:MoviesSat 30 May 2026 at 4:30amSat 30 May 2026 at 4:30amSat 30 May 2026 at 4:30amJamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are back in Freakier Friday, the sequel to the beloved 2003 Disney classic. (Disney)abc.net.au/news/women-over-60-struggle-with-film-representation/106723050Link copiedShareShare articleAs the award-winning Hacks wrapped this week, its star Jean Smart became one in a small handful of women over 70 to receive a Golden Globe.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).