Films Are More Likely to Star a Man Named Chris or a Talking Animal Than an Older Woman, According to Study

Emma Thompson commented on the U.K.'s Age Without Limits survey, saying "So where are the stories about us?"

By Pat Saperstein

Pat Saperstein

Deputy Editor

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A new study out of the United Kingdom found that out of the top films from the past three years at the U.K. box office, movies are more likely to feature a lead actor named Chris than a female lead actor over the age of 60. The Age Without Limits survey found that films are also four times more likely to have a talking animal as the lead character than a female actor over the age of 60.

Looking at the 100 highest-grossing films in 2023, 2024 and 2025, six featured a man named Chris in the lead, while just five starred a woman over 60.

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