Selena

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Selena

PG

1997

2h 7m

Biography

Drama

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

83 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In this biographical drama, Selena Quintanilla (Jennifer Lopez) is born into a musical Mexican-American family in Texas. Her father, Abraham (Edward James Olmos), realizes that his young daughter is talented and begins performing with her at small venues. She finds success and falls for her guitarist, Chris Perez (Jon Seda), who draws the ire of her father. Seeking mainstream stardom, Selena begins recording an English-language album which, tragically, she would never complete.

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Critics Consensus

Selena occasionally struggles to tell its subject's story with depth or perspective, but those flaws are rendered largely irrelevant by Jennifer Lopez in the title role.

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Ann Hornaday

Austin American-Statesman

Sep 6, 2023

2.5/4

As conventional mainstream filmed entertainment, then, Selena may not succeed completely. But as a ritual of celebration and closure it will provide its audience with an opportunity for some cathartic memories, laughs and tears.

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Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

Sep 6, 2023

3/4

While Olmos is the soul of the film, Jennifer Lopez as Selena is its playful heart. Lip-synching to popular recordings by the singing sensation and bopping to her irrepressible beat, she personifies girlish high hopes.

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Harper Barnes

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Sep 6, 2023

Director Gregory Nava might have done us all a favor by tightening up the script. Still, fans of the music, which mixes traditional Mexican styles with rock music, should enjoy the movie for its many songs and Lopez's convincing portrayal.

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Rene Rodriguez

Miami Herald

Sep 6, 2023

2.5/4

Take away that ending, and you haven't got a movie. Fortunately, Selena also has actress Jennifer Lopez, who is good enough to hold your attention when the movie is not.

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Joe Baltake

Sacramento Bee

Sep 6, 2023

3.5/4

[Jennifer Lopez] has a star-making role here and more than fulfills it. The actress is so vital and commanding that she makes one spookily aware of the loss of the real Selena.

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Bob Ross

Tampa Tribune

Sep 6, 2023

3.5/4

As Selena, Lopez glows with eagerness and joy. She does resemble the person she portrays, but she amplifies the characterization with impeccable body language.

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Eric

May 29, 2026

Anything 4 SALINAS!! Classic movie and I LOVE Selena and JLo was good but maybe because she's gotten unpopular now I wasn't as sold on her as Selena this time. Regardless, James Edward Olmos was fantastic(bustie-caca!) and the music was great!

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Nestor T

May 6, 2026

One of my all time favorite movies! Introduced to the great artist that was Selena! Since I was 2 when this was released in theaters, being able to watch it now as an adult was satisfying! Of course being a die hard fan, I noticed all the inaccurate details, but I just treat this as a wonderful tribute to her & her legacy!

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Christopher H

Apr 17, 2026

Classic movie that can be watched at any time to celebrate the life of Tejano superstar Selena Quintanilla, Perez. This is a story about family, perseverance, love music and unfortunately tragedy. She has remembered through her songs and her creativity that she shared with the world.

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mildred

May 14, 2025

I liked the song of somewhere over the rainbow by Selena

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Kristy A

Sep 25, 2024

I really needed to see Selena on the big screen again! It Brought me back to the day I first saw the film. I cried from beginning to end. Took me straight to my 15 year self.

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Janice W

Sep 17, 2022

Although this movie came out 25 yrs ago, I never saw the entire movie. I know about the real about the life of Selena. I thought Jennifer Lopez made a convincing portrayal of Selena. Sad that her life ended so tragically at such a young age.

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Gregory Nava

Director

Jennifer Lopez

Selena Quintanilla

Edward James Olmos

Abraham Quintanilla

Jon Seda

Chris Perez

Constance Marie

Marcela Quintanilla

Jacob Vargas

Abie Quintanilla

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Synopsis

In this biographical drama, Selena Quintanilla (Jennifer Lopez) is born into a musical Mexican-American family in Texas. Her father, Abraham (Edward James Olmos), realizes that his young daughter is talented and begins performing with her at small venues. She finds success and falls for her guitarist, Chris Perez (Jon Seda), who draws the ire of her father. Seeking mainstream stardom, Selena begins recording an English-language album which, tragically, she would never complete.

Director: Gregory Nava
Producer: Robert Katz, Moctesuma Esparza
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Q Film Productions, Esparza/Katz Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 21, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $35.4M
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

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