Rewriting the Script: The Power of Age Diversity on Screen

A majority of Americans believe that the movies and TV we watch influence how society views getting older. This new AARP research reveals that audiences of all ages want to see stories that reflect real-life relationships and family dynamics — stories that highlight age diversity on screen.

Age-Diverse Storytelling is Appealing Across Ages
Interest in seeing actors age 50-plus in leading roles is strong and widespread. Ninety-three percent of adults say they’re likely to watch movies or shows featuring older leads, and younger viewers are especially eager to see intergenerational casts. The desire for age diversity isn’t just about representation; it’s about making stories more relatable to a wider audience and showing that people of all ages can be active, interesting and complex.   

Love and Romance Is a Missing Piece
Across all age groups, audiences notice a gap in romantic relationships where characters their age are underrepresented. More than half of adults say storylines about dating, intimacy and love are missing from today’s media for their age group, and this perception is even more pronounced among those age 50 and older compared to those ages 18 to 49.  And, nearly half of adults 18-plus wish to see more romance themes featuring characters their age, pointing to opportunities for richer, more authentic storytelling.

Positive Portrayals Spark Optimism About Aging
When movies and TV get age representation right, the impact is powerful. One in three adults say a show has made them feel more positive about aging. Younger viewers, in particular, feel inspired by seeing people their age portrayed realistically. Embracing age diversity on screen can help reshape how Americans view getting older, creating richer narratives and ensuring everyone feels seen and included. 

Methodology

Interviews were conducted October 30 to November 6, 2025, among 2,013 U.S. adults age 18-plus through Dynata’s online panel.  All data are weighted by age, race/ethnicity, region, marital status, education and gender, to be nationally representative of adults age 18-plus in the U.S.

For more information about this survey, please contact Lona Choi-Allum at lallum@aarp.org.  For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.