Jennifer Lopez's Selena Biopic: A Timeless Classic 28 Years Later

Selena has become a big hit on streaming. Written and directed by Gregory Nava, the 1997 biopic stars Jennifer Lopez as the titular Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, following the true story of the singer's rise to fame, including performing at the Astrodome and achieving several number one albums, to her tragic murder at the age of 23.

In addition to Lopez in the lead role, the cast also includes Oscar and Emmy nominee Edward James Olmos (Stand and Deliver, Miami Vice), Constance Marie, Jon Seda, Lupe Ontiveros, Jackie Guerra in her film debut, Jacob Vargas, Alex Meneses, John Verea, Ruben Gonzalez, Seidy López, Pete Astudillo, Ricky Vela, and Don Shelton.

Now, 28 years after its original release, Selena ranks fourth on HBO Max's Top 10 movies in the United States for today, September 30, where it has been for the past two days. It ranks below Superman, Warfare, Friendship, and above It, The Sitter, Se7en, Caleb Hearon: Model Comedian, Salem's Lot, and The Cabin in the Woods.

What Selena's Streaming Success Means For The Movie

Selena's streaming success, almost three decades after its original release, highlights how much the movie has endured over the years, largely due to Jennifer Lopez's breakthrough performance in the lead role, which led to her subsequent rise to fame. Afterward, she established herself as the highest-paid Latina actress with leading roles in Anaconda (1997) and Out of Sight (1998).

Though the movie received somewhat mixed reviews, indicated by its 66% Rotten Tomatoes score, as Selena sometimes falls short in conveying its subject's story with depth or perspective, Lopez's performance makes those shortcomings mostly unimportant. For her performance, she earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy.

Though the movie only performed modestly at the box office, making $35.7 million against its $20 million budget, Selena has certainly shown staying power over the years. In 2021, it was chosen for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant" and was re-released in theaters in 2022 to mark its 25th anniversary.

Our Take On Selena's Streaming Success

Nearly three decades later, Selena is still one of Jennifer Lopez's best movies, and a career-defining performance that continues to resonate with audiences. Her meticulous preparation and heartfelt portrayal brought Selena's vibrant spirit to life, making the movie both a loving tribute to the Tejano singer and an enduring classic in the music biopic genre.

Selena's recent streaming resurgence proves that Lopez's performance is still captivating audiences and capturing the singer's legacy to this day.

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

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

Spanx SpanxSculpt ReDefine Flare Jeans

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

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

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

Mother The Weekender Jeans

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

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.