USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. Naomi Watts says movies are missing this plot. Why women need it. Laura Trujillo, USA TODAYJanuary 26, 2026 at 5:02 AM 0 British actress Naomi Watts, known for her roles in films like &34;The Ring,&34; &34;21 Grams,&34; and the blockbuster &34;King Kong,&34; saw her Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the first time during an unveiling ceremony in Hollywood, California, on Oct. 13, 2025. " datasrc=https://ift.tt/BuCLMAz.
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Naomi Watts says movies are missing this plot. Why women need it.
Laura Trujillo, USA TODAYJanuary 26, 2026 at 5:02 AM
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British actress Naomi Watts, known for her roles in films like "The Ring," "21 Grams," and the blockbuster "King Kong," saw her Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the first time during an unveiling ceremony in Hollywood, California, on Oct. 13, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/nQ4eVqg class=caas-img data-headline="Naomi Watts celebrated at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony by Jack Black, Edward Norton" data-caption="
British actress Naomi Watts, known for her roles in films like "The Ring," "21 Grams," and the blockbuster "King Kong," saw her Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the first time during an unveiling ceremony in Hollywood, California, on Oct. 13, 2025.
">British actress Naomi Watts, known for her roles in films like "The Ring," "21 Grams," and the blockbuster "King Kong," saw her Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the first time during an unveiling ceremony in Hollywood, California, on Oct. 13, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/nQ4eVqg class=caas-img>From left: Edward Norton, Watts, Ryan Murphy and Steven Nissen, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
" data-src=https://ift.tt/S0IGOUg class=caas-img data-headline="Naomi Watts celebrated at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony by Jack Black, Edward Norton" data-caption="
From left: Edward Norton, Watts, Ryan Murphy and Steven Nissen, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
">From left: Edward Norton, Watts, Ryan Murphy and Steven Nissen, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
" src=https://ift.tt/S0IGOUg class=caas-img>Watts laughs as Jack Black strikes a pose.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OtwzXnL class=caas-img data-headline="Naomi Watts celebrated at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony by Jack Black, Edward Norton" data-caption="
Watts laughs as Jack Black strikes a pose.
">Watts laughs as Jack Black strikes a pose.
" src=https://ift.tt/OtwzXnL class=caas-img>Sarah Paulson and Niecy Nash
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zV9Hc0A class=caas-img data-headline="Naomi Watts celebrated at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony by Jack Black, Edward Norton" data-caption="
Sarah Paulson and Niecy Nash
">Sarah Paulson and Niecy Nash
" src=https://ift.tt/zV9Hc0A class=caas-img>Watts and Max Greenfield
" data-src=https://ift.tt/USQiG7M class=caas-img data-headline="Naomi Watts celebrated at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony by Jack Black, Edward Norton" data-caption="
Watts and Max Greenfield
">Watts and Max Greenfield
" src=https://ift.tt/USQiG7M class=caas-img>Jack Black and Kyle MacLachlan attend the event
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Ab5eqDJ class=caas-img data-headline="Naomi Watts celebrated at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony by Jack Black, Edward Norton" data-caption="
Jack Black and Kyle MacLachlan attend the event
">Jack Black and Kyle MacLachlan attend the event
" src=https://ift.tt/Ab5eqDJ class=caas-img>From left, Watts' husband and actor Billy Crudup and her son Sasha Schreiber
" data-src=https://ift.tt/r1FC2b3 class=caas-img data-headline="Naomi Watts celebrated at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony by Jack Black, Edward Norton" data-caption="
From left, Watts' husband and actor Billy Crudup and her son Sasha Schreiber
">From left, Watts' husband and actor Billy Crudup and her son Sasha Schreiber
" src=https://ift.tt/r1FC2b3 class=caas-img>Watts and her brother, Ben Watts
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OluSZjY class=caas-img data-headline="Naomi Watts celebrated at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony by Jack Black, Edward Norton" data-caption="
Watts and her brother, Ben Watts
">Watts and her brother, Ben Watts
" src=https://ift.tt/OluSZjY class=caas-img>Ryan Murphy embraces Watts.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5nWcteX class=caas-img data-headline="Naomi Watts celebrated at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony by Jack Black, Edward Norton" data-caption="
Ryan Murphy embraces Watts.
">Ryan Murphy embraces Watts.
" src=https://ift.tt/5nWcteX class=caas-img>Naomi Watts
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2HCDOvN class=caas-img data-headline="Naomi Watts celebrated at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony by Jack Black, Edward Norton" data-caption="
Naomi Watts
">Naomi Watts
" src=https://ift.tt/2HCDOvN class=caas-img>Naomi Watts speaks during her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/K5p4Yyk class=caas-img data-headline="Naomi Watts celebrated at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony by Jack Black, Edward Norton" data-caption="
Naomi Watts speaks during her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony.
">Naomi Watts speaks during her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony.
" src=https://ift.tt/K5p4Yyk class=caas-img>
1 / 11Naomi Watts celebrated at Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony by Jack Black, Edward Norton
British actress Naomi Watts, known for her roles in films like "The Ring," "21 Grams," and the blockbuster "King Kong," saw her Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the first time during an unveiling ceremony in Hollywood, California, on Oct. 13, 2025.
Naomi Watts sighs when she thinks about how menopause was portrayed in movies when she was growing up.
It was all jokes about hot flashes and emotional, hormonal women.
No one talked much about it then, so the big screen was the only place she learned about the midlife moment. Those scenes shaped her view so much that she didn't even realize many of her own symptoms – from dry eyes to frozen shoulder – were signs that she was nearing menopause.
Now at 57, Watts wants to change this narrative.
Podcasters, creators, comedians and writers are taking menopause conversations from taboo to mainstream. And Hollywood producers need to follow, Watts says. She is pushing for more stories that redefine midlife as a time of power, not decline.
"We need to see ourselves represented," she tells USA TODAY. "Talking about menopause and showing our stories in movies can help women feel less alone. It's about taking the shame and stigma away and that's important through storytelling of all kinds."
Stars of all ages turned out for the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards on Jan. 10, a celebration of film and TV that speaks to a 50-plus audience, starting with Kathy Bates.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/UVGv8Y0 class=caas-img data-headline="See Natalie Portman, Charli xcx and Prince Harry in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Stars of all ages turned out for the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards on Jan. 10, a celebration of film and TV that speaks to a 50-plus audience, starting with Kathy Bates.
">Stars of all ages turned out for the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards on Jan. 10, a celebration of film and TV that speaks to a 50-plus audience, starting with Kathy Bates.
" src=https://ift.tt/UVGv8Y0 class=caas-img>Adam Sandler (right), recipient of the night's career achievement award, and wife Jackie Sandler.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rsD0Sqz class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Adam Sandler (right), recipient of the night's career achievement award, and wife Jackie Sandler.
">Adam Sandler (right), recipient of the night's career achievement award, and wife Jackie Sandler.
" src=https://ift.tt/rsD0Sqz class=caas-img>Jackie Sandler and Adam Sandler
" data-src=https://ift.tt/p1neOYA class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Jackie Sandler and Adam Sandler
">Jackie Sandler and Adam Sandler
" src=https://ift.tt/p1neOYA class=caas-img>Noah Wyle
" data-src=https://ift.tt/7bDq23X class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Noah Wyle
">Noah Wyle
" src=https://ift.tt/7bDq23X class=caas-img>Sharon Stone
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CcBONRv class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Sharon Stone
">Sharon Stone
" src=https://ift.tt/CcBONRv class=caas-img>Laura Dern
" data-src=https://ift.tt/dLanIyY class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Laura Dern
">Laura Dern
" src=https://ift.tt/dLanIyY class=caas-img>Host Alan Cumming
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rMf5tD1 class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Host Alan Cumming
">Host Alan Cumming
" src=https://ift.tt/rMf5tD1 class=caas-img>Stellan Skarsgård
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Y4wMGf6 class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Stellan Skarsgård
">Stellan Skarsgård
" src=https://ift.tt/Y4wMGf6 class=caas-img>Jessie Buckley
" data-src=https://ift.tt/YPtJNnb class=caas-img data-headline="See Natalie Portman, Charli xcx and Prince Harry in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Jessie Buckley
">Jessie Buckley
" src=https://ift.tt/YPtJNnb class=caas-img>Paul Mescal
" data-src=https://ift.tt/MGkAlgu class=caas-img data-headline="See Natalie Portman, Charli xcx and Prince Harry in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Paul Mescal
">Paul Mescal
" src=https://ift.tt/MGkAlgu class=caas-img>Elle Fanning
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NOeE96z class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Elle Fanning
">Elle Fanning
" src=https://ift.tt/NOeE96z class=caas-img>Amanda Seyfried
" data-src=https://ift.tt/n3X670z class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Amanda Seyfried
">Amanda Seyfried
" src=https://ift.tt/n3X670z class=caas-img>Amanda Seyfried
" data-src=https://ift.tt/faqGn8X class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Amanda Seyfried
">Amanda Seyfried
" src=https://ift.tt/faqGn8X class=caas-img>Chase Infiniti
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pE5GaPR class=caas-img data-headline="See Natalie Portman, Charli xcx and Prince Harry in the best celebrity photos of January" data-caption="
Chase Infiniti
">Chase Infiniti
" src=https://ift.tt/pE5GaPR class=caas-img>Renate Reinsve
" data-src=https://ift.tt/JbimjMD class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Renate Reinsve
">Renate Reinsve
" src=https://ift.tt/JbimjMD class=caas-img>Henry Winkler and Stacey Weitzman
" data-src=https://ift.tt/7hAtKks class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Henry Winkler and Stacey Weitzman
">Henry Winkler and Stacey Weitzman
" src=https://ift.tt/7hAtKks class=caas-img>Chloé Zhao
" data-src=https://ift.tt/izxmjUW class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Chloé Zhao
">Chloé Zhao
" src=https://ift.tt/izxmjUW class=caas-img>Edward James Olmos
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Ha9vM7c class=caas-img data-headline="See Adam Sandler, Noah Wyle step out at AARP Movies for Grownups Awards" data-caption="
Edward James Olmos
">Edward James Olmos
" src=https://ift.tt/Ha9vM7c class=caas-img>
1 / 18See Natalie Portman, Charli xcx and Prince Harry in the best celebrity photos of January
Stars of all ages turned out for the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards on Jan. 10, a celebration of film and TV that speaks to a 50-plus audience, starting with Kathy Bates.
Fearing menopause would end her career
It wasn't long after Watts filmed "King Kong" in 2005 (landing her on Forbes' list of most bankable actresses) when she went to see her doctor about having her first baby.
She was in her late 30s and her doctor told her she was in perimenopause. She was shocked. After a struggle to get pregnant and a miscarriage, Watts went on to have two children one year apart. Then her menopause symptoms began.
"It was a lonely, scary time," she remembers.
Growing up in a time when there were two roles for women — romantic lead and grandma — Watts kept her menopause to herself. She worried that talking about it publicly would end her career.
It took her more than 10 years to tell her menopause stories, becoming one of the first celebrities to do so widely. Many followed, from Drew Barrymore who shared that she was having a hot flash during an interview on her talk show in 2023 to Halle Berry who joined U.S. senators at the Capitol last year to push for more money for menopause research and education.
Watts co-founded Stripes, a menopause beauty and wellness brand, in 2022. The company sells everything from vitamins to vaginal cream. Her book, "Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I Knew About Menopause," which combined funny and relatable stories with expert advice, was published in 2025. (The book comes out in paperback in February.)
"I don't want to be told it's time to stop," she says. "I have plenty more to say and do."
Will menopause have its movie moment?
Has there been a movie in the past decade featuring a menopause story line?
Watts says it's hard to think of one.
OK, how about TV?
There's "Leeanne," the sitcom from comedian Leeanne Morgan. And, um, great moments on "Fleabag" (going back six years) and a reference in Watts' "All's Fair" legal drama that came out this fall with a cast of actors over 40 including with Glenn Close, 78, Sarah Paulson, 51, Niecy Nash, 55, and Kim Kardashian, 45.
Kim Kardashian and Naomi Watts in "All's Fair."
Menopause is nearly invisible on the screen. Of the 225 films prominently featuring a 40-plus female character released between 2009 and 2024, only 6% (14 films) mentioned menopause, the Geena Davis Institute found in a December 2025 study.
One featured menopause as a recurring story line: In "Sex and the City 2," Kim Catrall's character navigates menopause and hormone therapy.
Most rely on menopause as a comedic device, a joke to explain women's mood swings.
Naomi Watts poses on the red carpet for the screening of the movie "Jay Kelly" in competition, at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, on Aug. 28, 2025.
"It's fine to do all the funny stuff. I'm not poo pooing that," Watts says, laughing. "But it's obviously much more in depth and complex like that. It doesn't have to be all doom and gloom if you have the education."
Do you have a menopause story to tell? Share with us and help us tell better stories.
Menopause as more than just hot flashes
The Geena Davis Institute study found that two out of three people surveyed said it's important to portray menopause on screen in a more realistic way.
"We are more than just hot flashes," says Madeline Di Nonno, president and CEO of the Geena Davis Institute. "Movies and TV can directly affect how women see themselves. And we need to do better."
About eight in 10 adults 18 and older say movies and TV shape how people see aging, according to a recent study from AARP. (A little more than half of those surveyed were under 50.)
And three in four adults age 50 and older are more likely to support movies or TV that include characters similar in age to them, according to the survey. The organization hosted the Movie Awards for Grown Ups to highlight older actors' contributions to movies on Jan. 10.
Watts says the next generation is ready for a change, especially Millennial women who are starting perimenopause.
For now, Watts is celebrating seeing more older women's success.
The second season of the Jon Hamm and Amanda Peet Apple TV+'s drama "Your Friends and Neighbors" features Peet's character navigating perimenopause. The season premieres in April. And "Riot Women" a BBC show featuring menopausal women who accidentally form a punk band is being hailed as the must-see show of the year.
Melani Sanders' We Do Not Care Club: How she is making us laugh through menopause
Demi Moore poses with the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, for The Substance, at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., January 5, 2025. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Watts was happy to see Oscar nominations for Demi Moore, 63, in "The Substance" and Fernanda Torres, 60, in "I'm Still Here" in 2025.
She also appreciated seeing older women as love interests, such as Nicole Kidman in "Babygirl" and Gwyneth Paltrow in "Marty Supreme."
"When I look at the women around me, whether they are actors or writers or producers, teachers or doctors, in their midlife they are doing incredible things and I'm really impressed by them," she says. "Their stories should be reflected. It shouldn't just be young women on the screen."
Watts says with age comes the ability to be pickier about her projects.
She played the lead in "The Friend," a well received 2024 movie about a middle-aged woman who comes to care for a 150-pound Great Dane after her friend's suicide. Watts will return for season 2 for "All's Fair."
"People stop me on the street now not just to ask for a selfie, but to say thank you for being part of the shift in creating the dialogue so I felt comfortable enough to talk to my family members, to my boss, my children," she says. "That feels incredibly meaningful and it was definitely worth the risk."
Laura Trujillo is a national columnist focusing on health and wellness. She is the author of "Stepping Back from the Ledge: A Daughter's Search for Truth and Renewal," and can be reached at ltrujillo@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Naomi Watts wants movies to include menopause and older women
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: January 26, 2026 at 12:45PM on Source: ANDY MAG
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