The 10 Most Underrated Jennifer Lopez Movies, Ranked (From Least to Most Underrated)

Jennifer Lopez’s filmography stretches from music-fueled biopics to sleek crime dramas and heartfelt romances, and there are plenty of titles that quietly show how versatile she is on screen. This list spotlights projects that sometimes fly under the radar compared with her biggest hits, yet still feature notable collaborators, memorable roles, and interesting production stories.

We’re counting down to the top pick, highlighting plot essentials, who she worked with, and useful facts like box office results, awards attention, and behind-the-scenes details. If you’re exploring beyond the most obvious choices, these movies are a handy roadmap for where to look next.

10. ‘El Cantante’ (2006)

Lopez co-stars with Marc Anthony in ‘El Cantante’, a biographical drama about salsa icon Héctor Lavoe, with Lopez portraying Puchi, Lavoe’s wife and narrator of the story. The film covers Lavoe’s rise in New York’s Latin music scene, collaborations with Willie Colón, and the personal struggles that affected his career and marriage. It was directed by Leon Ichaso and features concert recreations, studio sessions, and period styling that tracks the Fania Records era.

The movie premiered at a major summer film festival and later expanded to theaters, where its domestic and international grosses reflected strong interest from Latin music audiences. Lopez also served as a producer on ‘El Cantante’, and the soundtrack includes new recordings connected to the era’s salsa standards, aligning music cues with pivotal chapters in Lavoe’s life.

9. ‘Enough’ (2002)

In ‘Enough’, Lopez plays Slim, a young mother who goes on the run after discovering her husband’s hidden life and violent behavior. The story follows her efforts to protect her daughter, change identities across multiple states, and train for a final confrontation. The film was directed by Michael Apted and includes supporting turns from Billy Campbell, Juliette Lewis, and Noah Wyle.

‘Enough’ opened wide in theaters and generated a solid box office run, helped by a thriller-forward marketing campaign centered on preparation and survival. The production used multiple U.S. locations to depict cross-country movement, and the home entertainment release later added featurettes that detail the fight choreography and training regimen depicted on screen.

8. ‘The Mother’ (2023)

‘The Mother’ casts Lopez as a former military-trained operative who resurfaces to protect the daughter she left in hiding from dangerous figures tied to her past missions. Directed by Niki Caro, the film combines action sequences with a story about identity, parental responsibility, and the fallout from covert work. Key supporting roles are filled by Joseph Fiennes, Omari Hardwick, and Gael García Bernal.

The movie was produced for a global streaming debut and quickly reached high viewership milestones on its platform following release. Production spanned multiple international locations to stage snowbound survival scenes and urban chases, with stunt teams designing close-quarters fights that emphasize hand-to-hand tactics and precision weapon handling.

7. ‘Marry Me’ (2022)

In ‘Marry Me’, Lopez plays global pop star Kat Valdez, who impulsively marries a stranger from the crowd during a live concert after a public breakup. The romantic comedy co-stars Owen Wilson and features Maluma as Kat’s superstar partner, weaving original songs into the narrative through rehearsals, performances, and media appearances. The film was directed by Kat Coiro.

‘Marry Me’ released in a hybrid rollout to theaters and streaming on the same day, timed around a major winter movie weekend. Its soundtrack became a companion project, with Lopez performing tracks that tie directly to character beats in the story. The production incorporated real venues and live-audience setups to capture concert-scale moments and red-carpet logistics.

6. ‘Shall We Dance?’ (2004)

Lopez appears opposite Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon in ‘Shall We Dance?’, a dance-centric romantic dramedy about a Chicago lawyer who secretly takes ballroom lessons. Lopez plays Paulina, a professional instructor whose precision on the dance floor contrasts with her character’s reserved personal life. The film was directed by Peter Chelsom and adapts a Japanese hit for an American setting.

The production partnered with competitive dance consultants to choreograph waltz, tango, and quickstep numbers, with cast rehearsals documented in behind-the-scenes materials. ‘Shall We Dance?’ performed strongly at the box office and helped renew interest in ballroom styles, with costume design emphasizing movement through flowing gowns and tailored practice wear.

5. ‘Angel Eyes’ (2001)

‘Angel Eyes’ pairs Lopez with Jim Caviezel in a character-driven drama centered on a Chicago police officer and a mysterious man whose paths cross after a traumatic event. Directed by Luis Mandoki, the story explores recovery, family fractures, and the ways people rebuild routines after loss. Terrence Howard and Sonia Braga appear in key supporting roles.

The movie uses neighborhood locations, diners, and precinct interiors to ground its urban setting, with a score that mirrors the contemplative tone of the story. Marketing focused on the leads and a fateful-encounter premise, and the home video release later included commentary tracks discussing location scouting and the approach to portraying first responders’ day-to-day work.

4. ‘Second Act’ (2018)

In ‘Second Act’, Lopez stars as Maya, a big-box store assistant manager who lands a high-profile corporate job after her friends rework her résumé and online profile. Directed by Peter Segal, the film blends workplace comedy with a story about career reinvention and personal history. The ensemble includes Vanessa Hudgens, Leah Remini, Milo Ventimiglia, and Treat Williams.

The production shot in New York, using recognizable offices, neighborhoods, and ballparks to situate Maya’s professional leap and personal ties. ‘Second Act’ opened during the holiday corridor and delivered a strong turnout for a mid-budget studio comedy, with promotional spots highlighting new-job fish-out-of-water scenarios and the fashion styling that accompanies Maya’s corporate pivot.

3. ‘The Cell’ (2000)

‘The Cell’ features Lopez as Catherine Deane, a child therapist who uses experimental technology to enter the mind of a comatose criminal in hopes of locating a missing victim. Directed by Tarsem Singh, the movie is known for elaborate production design, practical effects, and stylized dreamscapes that visualize shifting states of consciousness. Vince Vaughn and Vincent D’Onofrio co-star.

Costume designer Eiko Ishioka’s work and the film’s visual concepts have been widely discussed in design circles, with sets built to transform between clinical spaces and surreal psychological terrains. The movie opened wide in late summer, charted strongly during its first weeks in theaters, and later became a staple of high-style sci-fi thrillers on physical media.

2. ‘Out of Sight’ (1998)

Lopez plays U.S. Marshal Karen Sisco in ‘Out of Sight’, an adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel directed by Steven Soderbergh. The plot follows the uneasy connection between Sisco and bank robber Jack Foley, played by George Clooney, as he attempts a high-stakes score with his crew. The supporting cast includes Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Steve Zahn, and Catherine Keener.

The film is noted for its non-linear structure, on-location shoots in Miami and Detroit, and a groove-heavy score that threads through heist prep and cat-and-mouse sequences. ‘Out of Sight’ performed well at the box office relative to its mid-range budget and earned industry recognition across writing, editing, and performances, helping establish Lopez’s leading-role momentum in crime and romance hybrids.

1. ‘Selena’ (1997)

‘Selena’ stars Lopez as Tejano music superstar Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, tracing the singer’s family band origins, bilingual crossover plans, and concert milestones. Directed by Gregory Nava, the film includes performances that recreate signature shows and recording sessions, and it features extensive involvement from the Quintanilla family in shaping the timeline and musical selections.

The movie drew significant audiences in the United States and beyond, with theatrical runs that extended through specialty and mainstream venues. Its soundtrack aligns film sequences with key hits, and archival materials were used to match choreography, wardrobe, and stage setups. Lopez’s portrayal introduced the story of Selena’s career to a wide new audience and has remained central to retrospectives on Tejano music on film.

Share your favorites from this list in the comments and tell us which hidden gems you think deserve more attention.