Top 10 Jennifer Lopez Rom-Com Moments

Critics widely blasted this rom-com for its poor, messy, and somewhat offensive storyline. Perhaps one of its only saving graces was the undeniable chemistry between its two leads. If you ignore pretty much everything else and just focus on their bond, the film might have even passed for not half-bad. Of course, it was on set that JLo and Ben Affleck first met. Say what you will about the crime flick, but after watching them together, the rise of Bennifer, one of the ultimate 00s power couples, seemed inevitable. As for “Gigli,” unlike the pair’s renewed relationship, it should probably stay in the past.

Lopez only appeared in this movie briefly, but she still made every second count. One of her most memorable moments sees Ollie and Gertie argue while getting ready for the VMAs. Gertie’s relatively far in her pregnancy, and her hormones are running wild. It’s a funny and heartwarming scene where Gertie worries about looking great for her fabulous night out — especially considering all the A-Listers she might encounter. Admittedly, parts of the dialogue are painfully outdated, but JLo’s performance stands out as both endearing and amusing. The couple’s connection is strong throughout, but there’s no denying that JLo steals the scene here.

This movie shows five different interwoven stories featuring various paths to pregnancy and parenthood. Lopez plays Holly, a photographer who decides to adopt when she’s unable to conceive. Throughout the many highs and lows of her journey with her husband Alex, the moment they see their child for the first time is incredibly touching. They travel to Ethiopia, where they partake in an adoption ceremony. She might be acting, but you can feel a real connection and love for her newly adopted son. Her emotions feel so raw that it’s easy to get swept up in the moment and forget that it’s just a film.

As any JLo fan knows, the singer-actress actually started her career as a dancer. Her passion for the art form’s especially evident in this scene. When John and Bobbie’s rumba lacks any sensuality or sizzle, Lopez’ Paulina jumps in to show them how it’s done. Her intense eye contact and aggressive moves are pretty amusing, but we’re hooked on every single word, thanks to her intensity. Her brief tutorial certainly raises the heat in the room, and needless to say, the audience members aren’t the only ones utterly engrossed by this performance. After watching her, a glass of water isn’t enough; we need the whole bottle.

Cravings can be an interesting part of the pregnancy experience, and sometimes, they can completely consume your brain. In this hilarious scene, Zoe comes across a pot of seemingly delicious-smelling food, which awakens her hunger. But there are no utensils in view, and looking for them will only slow her down — so, she gets creative. Naturally, Alex walks in and finds the sight of Zoe and her improvised spoon very entertaining. It’s such a simple moment full of hilarity and even relatability. Who needs a napkin when a slice of bread will do — at least that way, nothing goes to waste.

Some mothers would be delighted if their son had met the one — but some mothers are Viola Fields. Upon hearing Kevin and Charlie’s happy news, she gets lost in a fantasy that reveals her true feelings about their engagement. What makes the moment even more memorable is that everything about it had to be done in real life. Fonda actually shoved JLo’s face into the cake. She commended her co-star’s commitment to the role, saying that her dance background helped choreograph a memorable moment. When asked if slamming her co-star into a cake was hard, Fonda replied, “No, it was fun.” Read into that what you will.

Maya Vargas is an underappreciated asset at her Value Shop store. Without a GED or college degree, her retail savviness gets overlooked. This scene marks the moment that she decides enough is enough and quits. If a moment could win an award for its level of sass, this would be a strong contender. After she claps back at her manager’s misogyny, she walks away in slow motion while everyone around her applauds her courage. She gets so caught up in the moment that her powerful exit takes a bit of a detour. But you know what they say; you can only go up from here.

One of the most iconic rom-com tropes is the beloved meet cute — and as far as they go, this one is pretty entertaining. Mary finds herself caught between a shoe and a dumpster bin after stepping on a manhole and getting her heel stuck. Luckily Matthew McConaughey’s Steve arrives just in time to knock her out of the way. Even while playing disoriented, JLo still manages to make an impact. While Dr. Steve tries to make sure she’s alright, she’s still more concerned about her shoe. Still, we can already see sparks flying between the two, setting up great promise for the unraveling romance up ahead.

While they’re cleaning socialite Caroline Lane’s hotel room, Stephanie convinces Marisa to try on some of her soon-to-be returned clothes. Of course, just as she’s looking her best, Marisa’s son Ty walks in with senatorial-hopeful and eligible bachelor Chris. It’s almost like a modern-day Cinderella story with a predictable narrative and saccharine dialogue, but thanks in large part to Lopez’s performance, it’s a highlight of 2000s rom-coms. Just take this scene alone; Marisa spends most of it in stunned silence, yet we still can’t tear our eyes away from her. Even without saying a word, we already know that this is a protagonist for whom we want to root.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Mary Falls for the Groom, “The Wedding Planner” (2001)
What’s the First Rule of Wedding Planning?

Whose Cab Is It Anyway?, “The Back-up Plan” (2010)
There’s Nothing Quite like a Meet-Cute in the Rain

“Push It”, “Second Act” (2018)
There’s Almost Nothing That Can’t Be Solved by Jamming Out with Your Best Girlfriends

The First Date, “The Back-up Plan” (2010)
Name a Messier Rom-Com First Date

The Grand Finale, “Shall We Dance?” (2004)
Always Leave ‘Em Wanting More

JLo and Jane Fonda are arguably among the best pairings in any rom-com starring the singer. Concerned that Charlie isn’t good enough for her son, Viola goes to unhinged lengths to try to chase her away. Luckily for us, this meant that Lopez got to unleash her comical, goofy side as Charlie retaliates with just as much creativity. Everything from the medication switch to the hideous peach dress has us laughing out loud. Their final slap fight showdown is especially amusing. While the slaps were obviously fake, JLo did manage to leave her mark accidentally anyway. But it just shows their commitment to the comedy.