Look at the seismic success of The Golden Bachelor or the box office triumph of 80 for Brady . These aren't niche interest pieces; they are mainstream hits proving that mature women have disposable income, cultural influence, and a deep desire to see themselves on screen.

For decades, the arithmetic of Hollywood was painfully simple. Once a leading lady hit 40, the roles dried up faster than a summer blockbuster’s second weekend. She was shuffled off to play the "wise grandmother," the "sarcastic HR manager," or the "forgotten ex-wife."

Perhaps the most radical change is the acceptance of aging on screen. We are moving away from the frozen, filler-heavy faces of the early 2000s. Directors are now casting women who look like they have lived.

The ingénue had her century. The age of the matriarch is just beginning.

Here is why the rise of the seasoned woman is the most exciting trend in entertainment right now.