Ranking Every Movie in Jennifer Lopez's Iconic Filmography

A-list multi-hyphenate celebrity Jennifer Lopez is most known for her successful career as a pop singer, but she's also an accomplished actress, and has starred in a wide variety of movies. Lopez got her start in 1991, appearing as a Fly Girl dancer on sketch comedy show In Living Color. Her breakout role was in 1997's Selena, for which Lopez was paid $1 million, the most for any Latina actress at the time (via Variety). She released her debut studio album "On the 6ix" in 1999 and went on to become one of the world's most famous pop stars, and performed at the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in 2020.

In addition to her music career, Lopez has acted steadily since the '90s. Though critics haven't always been kind to her work, Lopez's best movies often strike a chord with audiences. She is mostly known for her crowd-pleasing romantic comedies, but Lopez has also headlined films in the horror and action genres, and has loaned her vocal talents to several animated movies. While she hasn't been recognized by the Academy Awards, Lopez has earned two Golden Globe nominations in her acting career, for Selena and Hustlers. While the quality of her movies may vary, Lopez turns in consistently good performances in everything she does.

Gigli (2003)

A romantic-comedy crime story, Gigli follows the titular low-level mobster (Ben Affleck) who works with handler Ricki (Lopez) in a kidnapping plot. Despite the high-profile attention surrounding Affleck and Lopez's romantic relationship at the time, Gigli was a notorious commercial and critical failure. Pundits criticized the film for being a tonal mess and for the lack of chemistry between its leads.

Money Train (1995)

Lopez stars as Officer Grace Santiago in 1995's Money Train. Santiago is a decoy transit officer who draws the affections of her co-workers, foster brothers John (Wesley Snipes) and Charlie (Woody Harrelson). While Lopez was praised, Money Train was ultimately dismissed as a disappointing Snipes-Harrelson reunion on the heels of their success in White Men Can't Jump.

My Little Girl (1986)

My Little Girl was Lopez's debut film, in which she played Myra. The movie starred Mary Stuart Masterson as the well-off Franny Bettinger, who takes a job at a halfway house, teaching the youths housed there while learning from them as well. While My Little Girl was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize for Dramatic Film at the 1987 Sundance Film Festival, it was hardly the breakout role of Lopez's career.

What To Expect When You're Expecting (2012)

Based on Heidi Murkoff's pregnancy guide of the same name, What to Expect When You're Expecting features an ensemble of A-list talent, including Lopez as Holly Castillo, a photographer who decides to adopt a baby boy. Overall, What to Expect When You're Expecting received poor reviews, with critics stating that the film's bloated script didn't do the source material justice, but Lopez was also praised for her character's touching storyline.

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

Bordertown (2007)

In Bordertown, Lopez plays report Lauren Adrian, who is galvanized to investigate a series of female homicides in Ciudad Juárez. The murders are based on a true story. While the subject matter is important, and Lopez delivers yet another strong performance, Bordertown was criticized for trying to do too much at once. It never got a theatrical run in the United States and went straight to DVD.

My Family (1995)

An early-career Lopez movie, My Family is an immigrant story centering on three generations of a Mexican family who emigrated to Los Angeles. Lopez plays a young Maria, whom Sánchez patriarch Jose (Jacob Vargas and Eduardo Lopez Rojas) falls in love with. While some critics thought My Family was overly sentimental, many praised its poignant narrative.

El Cantante (2006)

Lopez stars in El Cantante as Nilda Georgina "Puchi" Román, wife of legendary salsa singer Héctor Lavoe (Marc Anthony). While there's no denying the on-screen chemistry between Lopez and Anthony, the film, considered an unoriginal biopic, wasn't without its controversy. Lavoe's music partner Willie Colón, among other celebrities, criticized the film for focusing too much on Lavoe's struggles with drug addiction and not on his talent (via Los Angeles Times).

Angel Eyes (2001)

Romantic drama Angel Eyes sees Lopez's Officer Sharon Pogue falling for a mysterious man named Catch (Jim Caviezel) who rescues her after she is attacked in the line of duty. Angel Eyes was mainly dismissed as schmaltz, but Lopez's performance was highlighted as one of the best elements of the film.

Blood And Wine (1996)

Crime thriller Blood and Wine sees Lopez play Gabriela, the mistress of wine merchant Alex Gates (Jack Nicholson). The film was praised for its entertaining use of film noir elements, and while Gabriela is hardly one of Lopez's deepest characters, she holds her own against Nicholson even this early in her career.

Jack (1996)

Jack stars Robin Williams as the titular character, a 10-year-old boy with Werner syndrome, which causes him to age four times faster than normal. Lopez plays Jack's teacher, Miss Marquez. While Jack received abysmal ratings upon release, the movie has been embraced by Williams fans, who celebrate the heart he brought to the role. Jack will be first and foremost remembered for its late star, but Lopez adds heart to the story.

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

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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