Jennifer Lopez's Netflix documentary Halftime provides an intimate look at the entertainer's personal life and career. Her disappointment at not receiving an Oscar nomination for her career-best work in 2019's Hustlers plays a major role in the documentary, reminding audiences that Lopez is a prolific singer but also a capable actress.
Indeed, since her acting breakthrough with 1997's Selena, Lopez has amassed a varied and successful film career. Not all her projects are critical darlings - some are quite the opposite, based on their Metacritic scores. However, one quick look at her filmography will reveal how versatile and, in many ways, underrated she is as an actress.
An Unfinished Life (2005) - 49
Lopez co-stars with Academy Award winners Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman in 2005's drama An Unfinished Life. The plot concerns Einar, a recovering alcoholic living with his close friend Mitch, who receives an unexpected visit from his daughter-in-law, Jean, and his estranged granddaughter.
Jean, played with empathy and assertion by Lopez, has a troubled relationship with Einar because he blames her for the accidental death of his son. An Unfinished Life received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the cast's performances but criticized the film's overly saccharine tone.
Marry Me (2022) - 51
Based on the graphic novel of the same name, Marry Me stars Lopez as a pop star who decides to marry a man holding a "Marry Me" sign during a concert. Owen Wilson and Maluma co-star in the film, with John Bradley and Sarah Silverman playing supporting roles.
Marry Me subverts several tropes from the rom-com, but it remains a mainly safe and forgettable entry into the already overcrowded genre. However, Lopez and Wilson do some heavy lifting, and their undeniable chemistry does a lot to elevate the film and sell the otherwise ludicrous plot.
$ellebrity (2012) - 53
$ellebrity is a documentary by filmmaker and photographer Kevin Mazur, featuring interviews with several figures from entertainment. The film attempts to explain the current state of fame, exploring how audiences consume it and celebrities experience it.
Lopez and her then-husband Marc Anthony are two of the many interviewees in the documentary, offering insights into how the constant presence of the paparazzi affects their lives. Other celebrities include Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sheryl Crow, and Elton John.
U Turn (1997) - 54
Acclaimed filmmaker Oliver Stone helmed 1997's U Turn. Lopez co-starred with Academy Award winner Sean Penn in a plot about a drifter who gets unwittingly caught up in a couple's wicked games after becoming stranded in a desolate town. Nick Nolte, Claire Danes, and Joaquin Phoenix also star.
U Turn is far from one of the best neo-noir films, but it isn't a completely disposable film. Lopez, Penn, and Nolte do fine work with the material, although the plot is unsurprising and somewhat tired. Still, Lopez does the best with what could easily be a one-note femme fatale role.
Home (2015) - 55
Home follows the unlikely friendship between a young girl left behind and an outcast alien from a hive-mind race that succeeded in conquering Earth. Jim Parsons and Rihanna voice the main roles, while Lopez voices Lucy, the young girl's loving mother.
Although not one of the more memorable animated films of the 2010s, Home still boasts a charming-enough premise to make for a satisfying albeit unremarkable viewing experience. Critics praised the humor, the cast's vocal performances, and the colorful animation but criticized the film's lack of originality.
Halftime (2022) - 62
Halftime is a musical documentary that follows Lopez at a pivotal time in her life. In late 2019, the actress is promoting Hustlers and receiving the best reviews of her career, including some considerable Oscar buzz. Meanwhile, she's preparing for her Superbowl halftime show, which she co-headlined alongside Shakira.
The documentary received some criticism for not going sufficiently deep into Lopez's psyche. However, Halftime earned mainly positive reviews, with many praising its entertainment value and the insights it did provide about Lopez's life and career.
Selena (1997) - 67
Lopez's breakthrough came in 1997, playing iconic Tex-Mex singer Selena Quintanilla in the biopic Selena. The film follows Selena's rise to fame, tracking her quick success and culminating in her tragic death at the hands of the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldivar.
Selena received very positive reviews from critics. The film did attract some criticism for a perceived lack of objectivity when telling Selena's story, but Lopez received widespread critical acclaim for her work. She earned her first Golden Globe nomination for her performance but lost to Helen Hunt in As Good As It Gets.
Antz (1998) - 72
Antz follows an individualistic ant struggling to find himself within his highly inter-connected community who must protect the colony from an evil General. Lopez voices Azteca, a friend of the protagonist who develops a romance with Corporal Weaver, voiced by Sylvester Stallone.
Because of its similarity to Pixar's A Bug's Life, released a month later, Antz is one of those animated films often confused for a Disney picture. The film received critical praise, with critics celebrating its animation, voice cast, themes, and humor.
Hustlers (2019) - 79
Lopez received the best reviews of her career with Hustlers. The film, which she also produced, follows a group of New York City strippers who begin seducing wealthy men at clubs, only to drug and steal from them later. Lopez plays Ramona, an experienced dancer and the mastermind behind the operation.
Hustlers received universal acclaim and was a box office success. Critics particularly praised Lopez's performance, calling it her best since Selena and considering her a serious contender for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. She received nominations at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards but was ultimately snubbed at the Oscars.
Out Of Sight (1998) - 85
Steven Soderbergh directed Lopez and George Clooney in 1998's Out of Sight. The film follows the romance between a career bank robber who ends up falling for a Federal Marshall after he escapes from prison. Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Catherine Keener, and Albert Brooks co-star.
Out of Sight received critical acclaim, with particular praise for Clooney in what is considered his star-making performance. Lopez's performance also attracted positive reviews, with critics praising her chemistry with Clooney. The film's screenplay and editing earned Oscar nominations but didn't win.