Hidden Gems: Jennifer Lopez's Most Underrated Films Revealed

Jennifer Lopez is one of the most famous performers of our time. Known primarily for her work as a singer, she’s been making hits since the 1990s, including tracks like “Waiting for Tonight” (1996), “Jenny from the Block” (2002), and “On The Floor” (2011). However, Lopez is also an accomplished actress, with an impressive filmography that stretches back to the beginning of her career.

Today, many viewers reduce Lopez’s film career to campy romantic comedies, or they dismiss her altogether because of her flamboyant public image. However, Lopez has been in an impressive array of films, from biopics to action films to heartbreaking dramas based on real life. With that in mind, read on for the best of Lopez’s acting career, including underrated gems and critically acclaimed masterpieces.

'Anaconda' (1997)

An image of Jennifer Lopez from Anaconda

Anaconda is a campy delight that has since become a cult classic. The first in a series of Anaconda films, it mixes action, adventure, and horror with its story of a massive killer snake terrorizing a documentary crew in the Amazon rain forest. Lopez plays the documentary’s director alongside fellow musician, Ice Cube, who plays her cameraman and best friend. The star-studded, motley crew of a cast also includes Jon Voight and Owen Wilson.

The film’s premise and cast might lead one to believe that Lopez would over-act in this film, leaning into its ridiculous elements. After all, the film has a reputation for being “so bad it’s good.” However, Lopez gave this creature feature her all, bringing depth and emotion to her predictable script. Upon the film’s release, Roger Ebert agreed, writing that Anaconda was “Splendidly acted in high adventure style.” Plus, it’s fun to watch the perpetually glamorous Lopez give her all to the action elements of the film. Almost perpetually covered in mud, she swims, runs, and shoots guns, exuding a delightful Lara Croft-like aura.

'Maid in Manhattan' (2002)

Maid in Manhattan starring Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes

Maid in Manhattan has recently been skewered online for its eccentric plot. Indeed, this early 2000s rom-comis no Citizen Kane, but it isn’t meant to be, and to hold it to such stringent standards is to miss the point of the film altogether. The 1990s and early 2000s were rife with corny romantic comedies such as 13 Going on 30 (2004), 50 First Dates (2004), and 27 Dresses (2008). By appearing in Maid in Manhattan, Lopez was simply solidifying her place in the mainstream—it was, after all, the golden age of romantic comedy.

Furthermore, Jennifer Lopez breathes life into the film’s ridiculous script. Charming and compelling, she brings pathos to her downtrodden character without overdoing it, and she channels comedy without approaching absurdity. Her facial expressions and lined delivery are particularly well-executed, especially in scenes such as the movie’s climactic reveal. It’s impossible not to root for Lopez’s character, regardless of the quality of the script.

'Unstoppable'(2024)

Unstoppable is based on the true story of Anthony Robles, who overcame poverty and disability, eventually becoming an NCAA Division I wrestling champion. In this film, Lopez plays Robles’ mother, Judy, who struggles with financial instability and an abusive relationship. While Judy tries to support her son as best she can, she also makes a number of decisions that complicate his life.

Thus, neither a protagonist nor an antagonist, Judy is a difficult character to play, yet Lopez does so with remarkable complexity. The real-life Judy Robles has repeatedly praised Lopez’s performance and the research that went into it, remarking in a joint interview that Lopez truly recognized and understood Robles’ fear and vulnerability. Lopez has also been praised by critics for her performance, with Variety predicting that she would have been nominated for a Golden Globe.

'El Cantante' (2006)

Jennifer Lopez in the 2007 film "El Cantante."

It’s a crime that El Cantante isn’t more well-known. The film is a biopic of legendary musician Héctor Lavoe, who, along with other stars like Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and Willie Colón, ushered in the Golden Age of Salsa Music of the 1960s and 1970s. The film stars Marc Anthony as Héctor Lavoe and Lopez as Nilda Georgina “Puchi” Román, Lavoe’s wife.

Read Also Amal Clooney Wore Optical Illusion Jeans Cosigned by Jennifer Lopez—Fall-Ready Styles Start at $44

Although the film is about Lavoe, it’s told from Puchi’s point of view, delving into her late husband’s journey from aspiring musician to the salsa legend known as “El Cantante de los Cantantes” (“The Singer of all the Singers”). Puchi’s perspective contains extreme highs and lows in equal measure, from falling in love to weathering Lavoe’s infidelity. Through her empathetic performance, Lopez effectively communicates Puchi’s emotional state as well as her polarizing decision to stay with Lavoe in spite of his cheating and his struggles with addiction.

The peak of Lopez’s performance, however, is a scene in which the two break up and Puchi unleashes her rage upon Lavoe. Although it would be tempting for Lopez to scream in this scene, she instead opts for a subtle, realistic performance, delivering her lines with increasing rage interspersed with sorrow, resentment, and disbelief. It’s a knockout monologue—one that single-handedly disproves the anti-Lopez slander.

'Hustlers' (2019)

Ramona covering Destiny (Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu) with her fur coat in Hustlers

Other Collider writers have already opined that Lopez was robbed of an Oscar nomination for her performance in Hustlers, and that stance still holds true. In the film, Lopez played a veteran stripper who leads a group of fellow dancers into a life of crime and retribution. She, along with her colleagues, lure, drug, and rob wealthy patrons, becoming an organized criminal operation before eventually splintering.

The film follows a similar trajectory to mafia movies like The Godfather,with Lopez playing the role of the mob boss. And she does so with every ounce of charm and complexity as actors like Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando brought to their work. It's possible that Hustlers has been comparatively dismissed because its stacked cast—which includes Cardi B, Lizzo, and Keke Palmer—might make it seem gimmicky on first appearance. The film may also have been overlooked because of an implicit bias in Hollywood that privileges male stories over female ones, dismissing the latter as frivolous.

'Out of Sight' (1998)

Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez) aiming a gun in Out of Sight

Out of Sight is the ultimate romantic comedy for anyone who hates romantic comedies. In a similar vein as The Italian Job (2003), this movie balances its lighthearted elements with an action-packed premise, telling the story of a bank robber named Jack Foley (played by George Clooney) who falls in love with Karen Sisco, the Federal Marshal pursuing him (played by Lopez). It truly has something for everyone, and is one of the best and most underrated heist movies of all time.

Lopez shines in this role, pulling off the difficult tightrope act of making Karen Sisco tough and serious without taking from her charm. Indeed, her performance is at the center of the movie and requires masterful execution in order for the script to work. If Lopez’s character seems too lovestruck, for instance, her character weakens and the film becomes a farce. Ultimately, Lopez triumphs: Throughout the film, in both her line delivery and the minutiae of her physicality, she effectively guides the audience through her character’s indecision and complicated emotions.

'Selena' (1997)

Jennifer Lopez as Selena singing on stage in the 1997 film

It’s impossible to talk about Lopez’s acting career without bringing up Selena. Another film based on real life, this one tells the story of the beloved Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, who was tragically murdered in her prime in 1995. Lopez has been widely praised for this performance, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination and an ALMA Award. Quintanilla’s family has also openly praised Lopez for her role in the film as well as Lopez’s repeated tributes to the late singer in the intervening decades.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Lopez’s performance is the extent to which she embodied Quintanilla. Lopez researched the role extensively, spending long hours watching music videos and concert footage in order to capture her movements. She also briefly lived with the Quintanilla family and interviewed those closest to her in order to best understand not only the singer’s goals and actions but also her deepest motivations. By the time filming began, Lopez had transformed herself so well that the Quintanilla family began to see parallels not only between the two women’s mannerisms, but also their personalities. Selena is a masterclass on immersive acting and effective research, and it deserves every bit of its hype—and then some.

Amal Clooney Wore Optical Illusion Jeans Cosigned by Jennifer Lopez—Fall-Ready Styles Start at $44

My list of must-try jean trends for 2026 is growing; it currently includes all the silhouettes one denim expert revealed to me as the must-watch of the year (save for baggy jeans, because I’ve been wearing those for years). That said, one style that didn’t land on said aforementioned list, but is clearly due for big, big things this year, is flare jeans. With a growing list of celebrity fans that includes Meghan Markle, Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, Cindy Crawford, Kendrick Lamar (you know that moment), and, of course, Amal Clooney, there’s no denying the retro denim style that was popular in the early aughts is back—and bigger than ever.

The fact that Clooney wore flared jeans is noteworthy in and of itself. The human rights lawyer is known for her refined dressing approach, regularly opting for billowy trousers, trendy boho blouses, and comfy sweater dresses—all staples that read elegant and timeless. So, when I spotted her earlier this year in the laid-back blues while out to dinner with hubby George Clooney, I knew I had to write about it. Of course, the fact that she wore flare jeans, the style countless celebs have worn the last few weeks, is noteworthy, too, as it further cements the style’s ‘It’ status for 2026. 

Pistola Kinsley Flare Jeans

Spanx SpanxSculpt ReDefine Flare Jeans

Clooney opted for a pair of medium-wash jeans with subtle fading (another Y2K reference, IMO). Her blues had an ultra-high waist—so high, in fact, that they appeared to hit at the ribcage. It’s the complete opposite of the controversial low-rise denim, so it’s a possible sign that the high-high waist is coming back, too. Not to mention, Clooney’s jeans had a slightly oversized fit from the thighs to the ankles, but it’s that flared hem that has all my attention; it’s taking me back to my middle school days when I’d wear my True Religion flares every single day. (No joke.)

Gap High-Rise ‘70s Flare Jeans

Trending 19 Photos of Jennifer Lopez with Her ‘Coconuts,’ Max and Emme, Through the Years

Mother The Weekender Jeans

It’s undeniable that Clooney’s jeans have that nostalgic flair (ahem, flare, wink, wink), but it’s also undeniable that celebs are clamoring to the style because it’s incredibly flattering. The blues basically act like an optical illusion, making legs look super long, especially when paired with a style that has an extra-long hemline and sky-high platforms á la Lopez; the singer is 5-feet-5-inches, but don’t you agree with me that she looks way taller in these jeans? Yeah, that’s thanks to the flares. The flare hem and longer inseams help create the look of legs for days, but add in a high-waisted cut, platform heels, and a crop top, and you’ll fool people into thinking you’re inches taller. 

Leg-elongating factor aside, there’s no denying that flares are fun and nostalgia-inducing—and that’s exactly what I need right now. So, shop some more fun, funky flares from Frame, NYDJ, and Mavi below.

NYDJ Barbara Jeans

Gap High Rise ‘70s Flare Jeans

Frame The Icon Raw Hem Flare Jeans