Every Movie That Made Jennifer Aniston an Icon, Ranked
Jennifer Aniston may have become a household name thanks to Friends, but now we fondly think of her as the star of some of our favorite rom-coms. She's been keeping us steadily entertained for over two decades, and now it's time to give her a little recognition beyond those feel-good-flicks. Here's our definitive ranking of Jennifer Aniston's best movies, starting with...well, her not so fantastic ones.
In a 2001 movie sadly fraught with clichés, Aniston plays the loyal girlfriend to Chris, (Mark Wahlberg) an aspiring musician who gets thrust into stardom when he becomes the lead singer of his favorite band. If it had more effectively explored how sudden celebrity can take its toll on a relationship—looking at you A Star Is Born—Rock Star wouldn't be in the last slot.
It's an important lesson learned for all of us here: Aniston doesn't have chemistry with every actor she works with, but that doesn't dampen her shine. In this 2009 movie, she plays a florist who helps a motivational speaker (Aaron Eckhart) move on from the death of his wife.
It's mind-boggling how any movie with Aniston, Julia Roberts, and Kate Hudson could be a miss, but these ensemble films have a tendency to be scattered. Trying to divide the screen time among the many luminaries often means that none of the stories get fully developed—including Aniston's role: a divorced mom trying to keep things copacetic after her ex marries a much younger woman.
Aniston is the main bright spot in this rom-com that pretty much got lost in the shuffle of the mid-'90s. She's the BFF to a woman with sleeping issues trying to navigate the single scene in San Francisco. It's mostly skippable unless you're looking to do a deep dive into her catalog. In which case, you're going to need to fire up that DVD player, because this 1996 flick isn't on your go-to streaming services.
It's an action rom-com that's not very action-packed, nor romantic, nor funny...but we do get Gerard Butler in a towel. Aniston plays a reporter chasing a dangerous lead while ignoring a court appearance, which prompts an arrest warrant to be issued and her bail bondsman ex-husband to take on the task of arresting her.
Aniston barely had the chance to showcase her abilities in this 1997 comedy where she plays the supportive childhood bestie of Jeanne Tripplehorn's unlucky-in-love main character.
The moment Aniston's character sleeps with Kevin Costner almost immediately after learning he isn't her father, elevates this to one of Aniston's weirdest movies. Honestly, the whole plot about The Graduate being a true story based on her family, marred up what could've been a solid rom-com with an all-star cast.
In 2008's Management, she plays a traveling salesperson who catches the eye of a lonely motel manager during one of her business trips. The comedy, co-starring Steve Zahn and Woody Harrelson, could've used a little more of Aniston-brand quirk.
They keep throwing Aniston into these ensemble romantic comedies when they need to just let her shine on her own. Her plot in this collection of interwoven cautionary tales involves a woman in a long-term relationship with a man (Ben Affleck) who won't propose.
Nothing but love for Aniston's campy big-screen debut in 1993 where she faces off against an evil leprechaun (Warwick Davis) trying to reclaim his stolen gold. Over 25 years later, maybe it's time she tries on those scream queen shoes again.
There was just simply not enough Aniston in this comedy, which focuses on Jim Carrey being struck by God-like abilities.
Wally (Jason Bateman) replaces a sperm donor's sample with his own to help his single BFF Kassie (Aniston) have a baby. If you can look past this vaguely immoral premise, it's actually a funny movie. It just takes a lot to stomach that first bit.
The trailer for this 1996 Edward Burns film introduces us to a family where "men are men and women are women"...the women being Aniston and Cameron Diaz. It's a bit of dated, hyper gendered notion in today's social climate, but still a must-see for any Aniston enthusiast.
Totally here for Aniston getting into some vintage '70s fashion. This dark comedy about a botched kidnapping attempt will give you Fargo vibes and make you wish for any excuse to have Aniston work with Isla Fisher in a larger capacity than this movie offers.
Another ensemble comedy for Aniston. This one features Jen as the head of a struggling company that (against her wishes) throws a holiday rager to woo a high-profile client. Hollywood, if you're reading this...get us a sequel that's mostly just Aniston, Kate McKinnon, and Vanessa Bayer. Please and thank you!
Putting her serious hat back on for this drama, Aniston plays the mother of a young soldier deployed to Iraq. It's unlike any other role she's done and Aniston's risk paid off.
The writers of this follow-up to the 2011 comedy knew exactly how to make the sequel stand on its own...amp up the Aniston. Jen's sex-addicted dentist was the scene-stealer in part one and she gets more screen time in this film, which involves the main trio trying to get money to launch a new business.
One of Aniston's most powerful performances, she plays a woman dealing with chronic pain, both physical and emotional. Definitely a far cry from Friends.
1997's Picture Perfect solidified Aniston's leading lady status and started her on the path to rom-com royalty. She plays an ad exec who hires Nick (Jay Mohr) to pretend to be her boyfriend so she can get a promotion at work. Things get a bit complicated when real feelings start to develop between them.
Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler may be an iconic duo, but Aniston also makes a perfect comedic foil. Here, she plays the longtime assistant to Sandler's womanizing plastic surgeon. She agrees to pretend to be his soon-to-be-ex wife while on vacation with the woman (Brooklyn Decker) that he's trying to woo. With superb cameos from Nicole Kidman and Dave Matthews, this is one of those delightful background movies.
David (Jason Sudeikis) hires Rose (Aniston) to pretend to be his wife, with Will Poulter and Emma Roberts as their kids, on a drug smuggling road trip to Mexico. They meet several wacky characters along the way, including the incomparable Katherine Hanh and Nick Offerman who bring extra laughs in this deceptively heartwarming comedy.
Peter Bogdanovich co-wrote and directed this comedy about the romantic entanglements of the cast and crew of a Broadway show. Jen plays a therapist who's dating the playwright (Will Forte). Have you noticed the SNL-alum co-star pattern yet?
This Aniston/Ben Stiller collaboration features Jen as a free spirit who shakes Ben out of his play-it-safe mentality. It's also worth revisiting for the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman as Stiller's friend.
This thriller about an affair that turns into an extortion plot is definitive proof that Aniston comes to life in darker roles. Her comedies are delightful, but it's gigs like this that might earn her an Oscar someday.
There's just something about Aniston dropping f-bombs that'll get laughs every time. She plays a dentist who clearly missed the sexual harassment seminars with the amount of blunt come-ons she hurls at her uncomfortable employee (Charlie Day).
This 2012 comedy reunited Aniston with Paul Rudd (who first starred together in our number one pick) as a couple trying to sort out their lives at a commune. They're so endearingly funny together that they could literally just read the dictionary...or inspirational quotes on screen and it would be a fantastic watch.
Have every single tissue in the house nearby for this one. Aniston and Owen Wilson co-star in this story of a mischievous dog and the couple that raise him. You will laugh...but you'll also cry many, many tears. We all need that sometimes.
Love it or hate it, this comedy about a couple trying to live together after their breakup is pretty much the anti rom-com. It's ideal viewing for when you're fed up with dating.
This 2002 indie is the role that made people take notice of Aniston beyond the confines of romantic comedies. She plays a woman unhappy with her husband and with her retail job at a discount store, until she has an affair with a younger co-worker (Jake Gyllenhaal).
This Netflix original has Aniston as a former pageant queen struggling to connect with her daughter (Danielle Macdonald) who couldn't be less interested in the pageant world. It's cinematic comfort food with a Dolly Parton soundtrack that you'll be humming long after the credits roll.
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This movie about a cash-strapped, single woman in a friend group full of successful, married people is one of Aniston's best and most relatable roles. Anyone who has ever felt like the odd one out in their social circle will immediately identify with her...especially if it's a money thing.
It may not get everything right, but this 1998 movie was one of the first mainstream films to explore the relationship between straight women and gay men. Rudd and Aniston are adorable together and it's important to see fully realized gay characters instead of just sidekicks full of sassy one-liners.
Anyone with a case of the Mondays can be immediately cheered up by this comedy about how draining the working world can be. Aniston plays a server dating Ron Livingston's character, who is dealing with a bit of corporate ennui. It's a cult classic and still relatable 20 years later.
Every Movie That Made Jennifer Aniston an Icon, Ranked
Jennifer Aniston may have become a household name thanks to Friends, but now we fondly think of her as the star of some of our favorite rom-coms. She's been keeping us steadily entertained for over two decades, and now it's time to give her a little recognition beyond those feel-good-flicks. Here's our definitive ranking of Jennifer Aniston's best movies, starting with...well, her not so fantastic ones.
She's come a long way since Leprechaun.
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