Jennifer Lopez is one of those rare stars who can do it all: sing, dance, act, and still look flawless while doing it. From her breakout performance in Selena to her fierce role in Hustlers, this actress has given us unforgettable movie moments that prove she’s more than just a pop icon. Over the years, she has played everything from romantic leads to tough women who fight back, showing her range and charm in every role.
Whether making us laugh in a rom-com or leaving us stunned with her dramatic performances, Jennifer Lopez always brings her signature spark to the screen. So today, we’ve ranked her 15 best movies, the ones that truly showcase her talent and remind everyone why she deserves way more Hollywood awards and love. And yes, our #1 pick is the one that should’ve gotten her an Oscar, no question.
15. Monster-in-Law (2005)
Monster-in-Law is one of Jennifer Lopez’s earlier films where she starred as Charlie, a sweet woman who falls in love with Kevin (played by Michael Vartan). The movie begins on a romantic note, but soon things get messy when Charlie meets Kevin’s controlling mother, played hilariously by Jane Fonda.
Together, the cast turned the movie into a fun romantic comedy filled with chaos, pranks, and mother-in-law drama. And while it’s mostly considered light-hearted and silly, it’s Lopez’s charm and Fonda’s comic timing that make the movie watchable. The duo perfectly balanced comedy and warmth and turned the movie into a fan-favorite.
Now, although this isn’t an Oscar-type film, Lopez’s natural timing and expressive acting showed her ability to shine even in simple rom-com roles that rely on personality and charisma. For this, we believe, she deserved an award.
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14. Parker (2013)
In this action thriller, Jennifer Lopez plays the role of Leslie, a struggling real estate agent who gets caught up with Parker, a professional thief played by Jason Statham. The movie follows their dangerous partnership as they plan a revenge heist. Now, although Lopez’s role is small, she still adds emotional depth to this fast-paced story full of crime and betrayal.
Sadly, while Parker didn’t make waves at the box office, Lopez’s grounded and vulnerable performance reminded fans that she could play serious roles too. It’s not that Oscar-worthy, but she still made a solid mark in an otherwise male-dominated action movie.
13. Blood and Wine (1996)
In Blood and Wine, Jennifer Lopez starred alongside Hollywood heavyweights like Jack Nicholson and Michael Caine, heightening this dark crime thriller. She plays Gabriela, a young woman unknowingly caught in a dangerous scheme involving stolen jewelry and betrayal. This was one of Lopez’s early roles, and she held her own among Hollywood legends.
Yet, she delivered a subtle performance that showed flashes of the star power that would soon make her famous. Even though the film focused more on Nicholson’s character, Lopez added a quiet strength and emotional honesty to her role; proof that she had dramatic potential from the start. For this, the actress deserved appreciation and accolades if not an Oscar.
12. Shotgun Wedding (2023)
Shotgun Wedding is one of the top entries in Jennifer Lopez’s filmography with a fun premise, great chemistry between the leads, and a strong ensemble that includes Cheech Marin, and Jennifer Coolidge. Plus, even Lopez was really funny in this movie, and the R-rating let it get away with some pretty gory violence.
Meanwhile, starring opposite Josh Duhamel, Lopez mixed humor, romance, and action with ease. She delivered witty one-liners while running through explosions turning the movie a bit over-the-top. Yet she nailed the mix of comedy and toughness, reminding fans why she’s a master of rom-coms.
Now, although it’s not an Oscar film, Shotgun Wedding was a comeback movie for Lopez that deserved more appreciation.
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11. Angel Eyes (2001)
In Angel Eyes, Jennifer Lopez plays Sharon, a no-nonsense Chicago cop haunted by her past who falls for a mysterious man named Catch (Jim Caviezel). The film dives deep into themes of healing, trauma, and love, wherein, Lopez delivers a powerful performance that feels real and heartfelt.
She portrays strength mixed with vulnerability, proving she’s more than just a romantic lead. Even when the story gets slow, Lopez’s emotional intensity and the sweeping romantic moments are what keep us watching. Her performance may have gone underappreciated at the time, but it’s one of her most quietly impressive roles.
Full of depth, control, and genuine emotion, we thus believe this movie deserved an Oscar nod at its best.
10. Lila & Eve (2015)
In this crime drama, Jennifer Lopez stars opposite Viola Davis as Eve, a grieving mother seeking justice after her son’s murder. And considering how Davis is one of the greatest actors alive, it became a testament to Lopez’s own talent and screen presence, beside her. And rightfully so, the Latina star held her own as Lila, in the film.
Lopez appearing as Lila, plays another mother who encourages Eve to take revenge into her own hands. There onwards, the film turns dark, emotional, and full of tension. Lopez delivers a layered performance, showing both empathy and inner rage. Her chemistry with Davis feels gripping, and together they create a believable bond rooted in loss and anger.
Though the movie didn’t get mainstream attention, Lopez’s performance was hauntingly good, which deserved more appreciation and awards. After all, it became a reminder that she can handle serious, emotional material with depth.
9. Shall We Dance? (2004)
For some reason, Shall We Dance? is not particularly well-regarded among critics. Perhaps because of the prejudice that the original Japanese version is better. But even then, this version isn’t bad at all. Starring Jennifer Lopez as Paulina, a professional ballroom dancer who inspires a bored businessman, played by Richard Gere, this movie is gentle, romantic, and beautifully shot.
Lopez brings elegance and calmness to her role, lighting up every dance scene with grace. Plus, her chemistry with Gere adds heart to the story. While it’s a light and uplifting film, her performance shows that she can elevate even a simple romance into something meaningful. So even though this is an adaptation of the original version, it’s still deserving of awards for its emotional storytelling, and Lopez’s physical expression that shines brightly.
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8. Bordertown (2007)
Bordertown stars Jennifer Lopez and Antonio Banderas in a crime drama inspired by real-life femicides in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Directed by Gregory Nava, the film follows a journalist, played by Lopez, who travels to Mexico to investigate the brutal murders of hundreds of women. This movie was made to shed light on the crimes and to pressure the Mexican government to pursue justice.
Lopez gives a powerful and emotional performance as a determined reporter fighting for justice, showing her strength and compassion throughout. However, while her portrayal is fierce and heartfelt, the movie’s script struggles to handle such a serious issue with the depth it deserves. Still, Lopez’s performance remains the film’s strongest and most memorable part, thus making her deserving of at least an Oscar nod.
7. Second Act (2018)
In this film, Jennifer Lopez plays Maya, a supermarket worker who fakes her résumé to land a high-powered corporate job. The movie is a classic feel-good story about second chances and self-belief, where Lopez delivers a smart, funny, and confident vibe while also balancing vulnerability. She perfectly captures the struggle of wanting more from life while staying true to herself.
Throughout the film, it’s her energy that makes the story inspiring and relatable. And even though Second Act is a lighthearted comedy, Lopez brings emotional truth to it, turning a simple plot into a heartfelt story about how you should not sell yourself short at any age. And for this simple yet empowering message, this 2018 movie feels deserving of an award.
6. Enough (2002)
This gripping thriller might have many plot holes, but Jennifer Lopez’s performance as Slim, a woman who escapes her abusive husband and learns to fight back, makes Enough a fan-favorite watch. The film feels both emotional and empowering, and Lopez’s performance is fierce and brave.
She transforms from a terrified wife into a strong survivor, making every moment believable. Her acting is raw, filled with fear, determination, and courage. And so, everything together makes Enough an Oscar-worthy movie that was sadly overlooked by the committee. From the emotional plot, to the empowering message, and Lopez’s bold performance, it makes the film not only dark and intense, but also an inspiration for millions of women.
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5. The Mother (2023)
In this Netflix thriller, Jennifer Lopez plays a deadly assassin forced out of hiding to protect her daughter from dangerous enemies. The movie combines action with emotion, and Lopez carries it completely on her shoulders. And we kind of knew she had serious butt-kicking chops in her, since Enough.
So, once again, in this movie, she delivers a tough performance during the fight scenes and is tender in the quiet moments. Her performance is mature, layered, and full of heart. Even when the script feels familiar, Lopez’s presence gives it real weight. It’s one of her best recent roles, showing her power as both an action star and an emotional performer.
And so, for The Mother, Lopez absolutely deserved recognition and should have won an award especially after delivering such a fearless performance.
4. An Unfinished Life (2005)
This melodramatic family film is one of the most underrated movies of Jennifer Lopez’s career. In this film, she stars as Jean, a single mother who seeks forgiveness from her estranged father-in-law, played by Robert Redford. The story surrounds the idea of family, loss, and redemption.
Herein, Lopez gives a beautiful, heartfelt performance that feels honest and emotional. She plays a woman full of regret yet full of hope, and her scenes with Redford and Morgan Freeman are deeply moving. The actress brings quiet strength to Jean, grounding the film with her sincerity, making it one of her most mature and graceful performances.
With An Unfinished Life, she proved that she can shine in subtle, character-driven dramas that rely on emotion rather than glamour. And that’s what makes this an award-winning flick that sadly escaped recognition.
3. Out of Sight (1998)
Starring in a crime romance directed by Steven Soderbergh, Jennifer Lopez plays Karen Sisco, a clever US Marshal who crosses paths with charming bank robber Jack Foley, played by George Clooney. And the duo’s collaboration in this movie made us realize that they would go on to become two of the biggest stars in the world.
Overall, their chemistry is electric, funny, tense, and romantic all at once. Lopez’s performance is confident and sharp, showing both toughness and allure. In this film, she perfectly balances action and emotion, standing toe-to-toe with Clooney in every scene. And that’s what made critics praise her.
So naturally, this role proved Lopez was a serious actress capable of leading stylish, smart, and layered films, making her deserving of more recognition and appreciation among the award committees.
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2. Selena (1997)
There was something very meta about casting a Latina icon, the young Jennifer Lopez as Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, a Latina legend gone too soon. This biopic captures the beloved Tejano singer’s rise to fame and her joyful spirit, while showcasing how her life ended tragically. And rightfully so, Lopez gave a performance full of warmth and heart.
Although it suffered from the glossy oversimplification that plagues most biopics, Lopez did her best at imitating Selena and embodying not just her smile and dance, but even her spirit. Naturally, the movie made Lopez a household name and earned her Golden Globe recognition. Which is why we felt tempted to put it in first place, but there’s only one performance that is a little more complex than this one.
1. Hustlers (2019)
Hands down, Hustlers is the film in which Jennifer Lopez delivered the performance of her career as Ramona, a brilliant and fearless stripper who scams Wall Street men after the 2008 financial crash. While the entire Hustlers ensemble was good, it was mainly Lopez’s film, in which she delivered bold, magnetic complexity and a sense of control in every scene.
From the moment she strutted up to a pole to the tune of Fiona Apple’s Criminal, the Latina bombshell made us believe that Hustlers belonged to her. She combined charm, toughness, and deep emotion in one unforgettable role and carried the entire film with power and precision.
And for such an undeniably flawless performance, Lopez deserved an Oscar nod, even though she was absolutely snubbed.
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