Jennifer Lopez, also known as JLo, is a major star in modern romantic comedies. Since the early 2000s, she’s been the lead in 12 of these popular films.
Jennifer Lopez has loved performing since she was young, and she quickly showed a natural talent for being on camera. She started her career with a small part in the 1986 film My Little Girl, then gained recognition as a dancer on the 1990s comedy show In Living Color. Her career really took off in 1997 when she received critical acclaim for her leading role in the film Selena.
After appearing in the film Selena, Jennifer Lopez starred in movies of many different types before finding success in romantic comedies in 2001. Her delightful performance and natural connection with her co-star in her first rom-com quickly established her as a popular face in the genre. She continued to star in several romantic comedies until the early 2010s, when the genre’s popularity began to decline.
Jennifer Lopez became a major star during the early 2000s when romantic comedies were incredibly popular, and she’s now leading the way in their current comeback. Her newest rom-com, Office Romance, just came to Netflix, and it’s reminded everyone how many successful romantic comedies she’s been in. While critics haven’t always loved her rom-coms, they consistently make a lot of money and stay popular with audiences. Several of her films have become particularly well-known and beloved classics.
12. Gigli (2003)
Both Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck consider Gigli to be the low point of their careers. The romantic comedy, which gained a reputation for being notoriously bad, was written and directed by Martin Brest, known for Beverly Hills Cop.
Even when it first came out, the movie Gigli was seen as disconnected from what audiences wanted. The film follows gangsters Larry Gigli (played by Affleck) and Ricki (Lopez) who are forced to work together to kidnap the brother of a federal prosecutor – a man with an intellectual disability. Gigli was a major box office failure for Sony Pictures, earning only $7 million worldwide despite costing $54 million to make. Critics and audiences alike disliked it, as evidenced by its 6% score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and a 14% audience score.
Most critics felt the movie’s humor didn’t work and the main actors lacked believable chemistry. While Gigli was generally considered a failure, Jennifer Lopez’s performance stood out as a positive element. In a 2022 interview with Vogue, Lopez expressed a willingness to revisit the film, despite its negative reception.
11. What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2012)
Directed by Kirk Jones (known for Nanny McPhee), What to Expect When You’re Expecting is a funny movie that follows five couples as they navigate the ups and downs of preparing to become parents. Though it’s not a typical romantic comedy, each couple’s story follows familiar rom-com patterns, and their lives all intersect.
Jennifer Lopez stars as a photographer specializing in babies, but she’s personally unable to have children and really wants to adopt. Her husband (Rodrigo Santoro) isn’t so sure about it. Ultimately, the film focuses on Lopez’s connection with the baby she adopts, rather than her romantic relationship. Lopez gives a performance that is both touching and sad, and it’s one of the strongest parts of the movie.
Even with a talented cast, the movie What to Expect When You’re Expecting feels fragmented and its humor hasn’t held up well over time. Critics didn’t love it (23% on Rotten Tomatoes), and audiences were only mildly positive (47%).
10. The Back-Up Plan (2010)
In 2010, Jennifer Lopez returned to classic romantic comedies with The Back-Up Plan after a five-year break. The film, directed by Alan Poul and written by Kate Angelo, tells the story of a woman who unexpectedly meets the man of her dreams just as she’s starting a family through artificial insemination.
The movie The Back-Up Plan relies on predictable humor, especially regarding the main character’s pregnancy, and critics generally found it unoriginal. Some of the jokes haven’t aged well, like one about a boyfriend being jealous of a pregnancy pillow. It currently has a low 18% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on reviews from critics.
The movie has a 46% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and earned $77 million worldwide on a $35 million budget, which is considered a solid performance. Jennifer Lopez romantic comedies tend to do well with moviegoers, even if critics don’t love them – they often make a lot of money at the box office despite negative reviews.
9. Second Act (2018)
While Second Act (2018) leans more towards being a funny movie about work, it still has a romantic storyline that qualifies it as a romantic comedy.
Maya Vargas, after being passed over for a promotion in favor of someone with a college degree, devises a plan at work to demonstrate her skills. Meanwhile, her boyfriend, Milo Ventimiglia, wants to start a family, but Maya is hesitant and unsure if she’s ready.
Although the romance isn’t very strong, the film is a great showcase for Jennifer Lopez. Her performance really brings the movie’s funny and uplifting story to life. Directed by Peter Segal, who also made 50 First Dates, Second Act received mixed reviews, with a 44% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, the film did well commercially, earning $72.2 million worldwide.
8. Jersey Girl (2004)
At its core, Jersey Girl is about the concept of love, not just romance.
Kevin Smith, known for Clerks, wrote and directed Jersey Girl, a heartfelt and funny film about a young widower (Ben Affleck) navigating a new relationship while cherishing the memory of his late wife and raising his daughter. The film’s genuine performances from the cast add to its charm. However, despite being a sweet romantic comedy, it didn’t perform well at the box office, earning just $35.4 million worldwide on a $35 million budget. It currently has a 42% critic rating and a 48% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film Jersey Girl didn’t do very well, and one reason is the very public breakup of stars Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. They split about three months before the movie came out, which probably hurt its chances of success.
7. Shotgun Wedding (2022)
The traditional romcom takes an action-packed turn in the Amazon Prime original, Shotgun Wedding.
Directed by Jason Moore, known for Pitch Perfect, Shotgun Wedding is a fun, action-packed comedy about a couple (Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel) whose destination wedding is unexpectedly crashed by pirates. While the romantic chemistry between Lopez and Duhamel isn’t the strongest, the movie delivers plenty of laughs and exciting moments, making it enjoyable for a broad audience. It successfully combines action, romance, and humor.
The movie Shotgun Wedding features a great cast, including Jennifer Coolidge, Lenny Kravitz, and D’Arcy Carden. Critics haven’t been overly impressed, giving it a 4 out of 10 from Ebaster and a 46% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences seem to enjoy it more, with a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
6. Monster-in-Law (2005)
Despite receiving largely negative reviews – earning only a 19% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – the movie Monster-in-Law proved to be a hit with audiences. It earned $155 million worldwide in theaters and continued to attract viewers through streaming, achieving a 55% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
This funny romantic comedy, directed by Robert Luketic and written by Anya Kochoff, centers on Charlotte (Jennifer Lopez) who clashes with her future mother-in-law (Jane Fonda). Jennifer Lopez is as charming and fun as ever, but Jane Fonda truly shines and delivers a standout performance.
Jane Fonda took a smart risk by appearing in Monster-in-Law after a quiet period in her career. She correctly predicted that Jennifer Lopez’s popularity would attract a large audience (according to Deadline). The film successfully revitalized Fonda’s career, leading to roles in popular projects like the Netflix series Grace and Frankie.
5. Office Romance (2026)
Lopez returns to romcoms in the Netflix original, Office Romance, which premiered on June 5, 2026.
The new movie, directed by Ol Parker (known for Ticket to Paradise), tells a familiar story of a forbidden romance. It centers on Jackie Cruz, a company CEO played by Jennifer Lopez, and Daniel Blanchflower, a new employee portrayed by Brett Goldstein. Their relationship develops despite a company policy forbidding employees from dating each other. The film also stars Betty Gilpin (GLOW), Tony Hale (Arrested Development), Bradley Whitford (Get Out), and Amy Sedaris (BoJack Horseman).
Initial reactions to the movie are mixed, with a 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But don’t let that discourage you if you’re looking forward to it! Office Romance is perfect for fans of romantic comedies and is one of Jennifer Lopez’s strongest in the genre. The movie successfully combines sweet romance with genuine humor, and further establishes Netflix as a leader in modern romcoms.
4. Shall We Dance (2004)
“Shall We Dance” is unique among romantic comedies for truly showcasing Jennifer Lopez’s talent as a dancer.
The 2004 film features Richard Gere as a man stuck in a rut who becomes captivated by a dance teacher (Jennifer Lopez) and starts taking lessons from her. Although the situation hints at an affair, the movie is ultimately hopeful and positive. Gere and Lopez share a strong and believable connection through their dance scenes, creating a mix of charm and sensuality. The film also stars Susan Sarandon as Gere’s wife, along with Lisa Ann Walter and Stanley Tucci.
While critics weren’t overly impressed with Shall We Dance (giving it a 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences enjoyed it more (57%). Despite the mixed reviews, the film was a box office success, earning over $170 million worldwide, likely thanks to the popularity of its stars.
3. Maid in Manhattan (2002)
Maid in Manhattan is a fan favorite among Jennifer Lopez’s romantic comedies. The movie came out in 2002, when Lopez was quickly becoming a major star, and followed her first romantic comedy just a year earlier.
Directed by Wayne Wang, known for The Joy Luck Club, and written by Kevin Wade, who wrote Working Girl, this film is a modern take on the Cinderella story. It centers around a Republican politician (Ralph Fiennes) who falls in love with a hotel maid (Lopez), believing she comes from a wealthy background.
The story follows a familiar romcom formula, which is exactly what many viewers enjoy. Despite receiving negative reviews – it has a 37% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – Maid in Manhattan was a box office success, earning $154.9 million worldwide. It stood out even in a year full of popular romantic comedies, including My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Bend It Like Beckham, and Two Weeks’ Notice.
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2026-06-06 22:21