Research shows the average age of Best Actress nominees is rising, with more women over 40 and 60 winning Oscars. Experts say changing stories, global voters and female directors are driving the shift.
WEBDESK – Source: BBC News
A new analysis of Academy Awards data shows a noticeable shift in Hollywood: older actresses are increasingly winning and being nominated for Oscars, challenging a decades-long tradition where younger women dominated the Best Actress category.
For years, the film industry was known for favouring actresses in their 20s and early 30s, often sidelining women as they grew older. But recent Oscar seasons suggest that trend is slowly changing.
One powerful example came in 2023 when Michelle Yeoh won the Best Actress Oscar at the age of 60 for Everything Everywhere All at Once. During her emotional acceptance speech, she urged women around the world not to believe anyone who says they are “past their prime.”
Historically, very few actresses over 60 have taken home the coveted award. Among the rare winners are Jessica Tandy, who won at 80 for Driving Miss Daisy, and Katharine Hepburn, who won multiple Oscars including awards after the age of 60.
Average age of nominees rising
Recent research shows the average age of Best Actress nominees has steadily increased over the decades.
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In the 1940s, the average nominee age was about 27.
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By the 1970s, it rose to 37.
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In the 2000s, it reached 40.
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In the 2020s, the average is now around 47.
Several recent winners have also been older actresses, including Renée Zellweger, who won at 50 for Judy, Frances McDormand, who won at 63 for Nomadland, and Jessica Chastain, who won at 45 for The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
Experts say this shift reflects broader changes in Hollywood storytelling and casting.
Why the change is happening
Researchers and film industry analysts point to several key reasons behind the trend.
1. More complex roles for mature women
Prestige films — the type often recognised by the Oscars — are increasingly focusing on deeper, character-driven stories, allowing experienced actresses to lead major projects.
Veteran stars like Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren and Nicole Kidman have helped demonstrate that actresses can sustain long, successful careers well beyond traditional industry expectations.
2. More female directors and writers
The rise of female filmmakers has also changed the types of stories being told.
Directors such as Chloé Zhao and Jane Campion have created films with strong female leads and complex narratives about women’s lives, often featuring older protagonists.
Studies show that when women direct films, more women — including those over 40 — appear in leading roles.
3. Global influence on the Oscars
The Academy has expanded its membership internationally in recent years. With voters from more countries participating, the awards are recognising a wider range of performances and storytelling styles, including films with mature female leads.
Age bias still exists
Despite the progress, researchers say the broader film industry still has a long way to go.
In major commercial films released in 2025, the average age of female leads was just 34, compared with 42 for male leads. Women over 45 were still extremely rare as main characters in blockbuster movies.
Studies also show that only a tiny percentage of female characters over 60 appear in major films, highlighting that ageism has not disappeared.
What it means for audiences
For movie fans — including the UAE’s diverse cinema-going community — the shift means more stories about experienced women, richer characters, and greater representation on screen.
While the Oscars alone cannot transform the entire industry, the growing success of older actresses signals that Hollywood is slowly rethinking its long-standing bias toward youth.
And as Michelle Yeoh’s message suggested, the idea that actresses have an expiration date may finally be fading.
