Unpacking the Mystery: Why J. Lo's Films Dominate Despite Mixed Reviews

Many movies starring Jennifer Lopez are still very popular despite their negative reviews. Lopez has starred in more than 130 movies, television series, documentaries, and music videos, including the recent 2024 action film Atlas. Even though Atlas has an interesting premise based on artificial intelligence in a dystopian future, the film was a critical failure, earning a score of just 16% on Rotten Tomatoes. Atlas was released on May 24, 2024 exclusively on Netflix.

Lopez also starred in the recent documentary This Is Me… Now, which coincided with the release of her album of the same name on February 16, 2024. Lopez began her career as a dancer and singer in the late 1980s and early 1990s and has since catapulted to international fame across various entertainment platforms. She made her acting debut in 1993's Nurses on the Line: The Crash of Flight 7 and has appeared in classics such as Anaconda (1997), The Wedding Planner (2001), and Maid in Manhattan (2002).

Jennifer Lopez's Movies Still Dominate Despite Low RT Scores

Poor critic reviews have never stopped J Lo from starring in films

A vast majority of Jennifer Lopez movies are critical bombs, with the actress having a streak of "Rotten" movies from 2000 to 2018. Some of her worst-rated movies include Gigli (2003) in which she starred alongside her future husband Ben Affleck, The Back-Up Plan (2010), and The Boy Next Door (2015). Gigli earned a remarkably low 6% on Rotten Tomatoes, while The Boy Next Door performed slightly better with a score of 12% and the score for The Back-Up Plan got as high as 17%.

Even though a majority of Lopez's movies fail to impress critics, she continues to be a hit with audiences even in modern times. 2023's The Mother which earned a modest score of 43% on Rotten Tomatoes, was the most-watched movie on Netflix between January and June 2023 with just under 250 million hours viewed. It appears that the multitalented J Lo still has an elite level of star power and appeal, even though her films are more often than not critical misfires.

Why Jennifer Lopez's Movies Are Critic-Proof

Lopez has an enormous box office pull

Jennifer Lopez has a rare ability to perform well at the box office even though her movies are often less than impressive from a critical standpoint. According to The Numbers, Lopez has starred in 25 films that have generated a staggering $1,356,758,312 worldwide aggregate box office, making her the 185th most successful leading actress by the margin. The simple answer is that Lopez is essentially critic-proof because of her popularity as well as her typical strong performances in lackluster films such as Atlas.

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.