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Selena Gomez has been making waves in the acting world recently. Her role in Emilia Pérez, a Spanish-language musical thriller, was met with high acclaim and earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
In the musical, Gomez plays the role of Jessi del Monte, wife of Manitas Del Monte, aka Emilia Pérez. Her portrayal of a grieving wife trying to deal with the upheaval of her comfortable life wowed audiences.
Gomez, who began her acting career as a child star on PBS’ Barney & Friends, rose to fame through her portrayal of Alex Russo in the Disney hit Wizards of Waverly Place. For viewers who loved her performance in the Golden Globe-winning movie Emilia Pérez, here are five other movies and shows starring Selena Gomez.
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The Fundamentals of Caring, Spring Breakers, and other Selena Gomez movies and shows
1) Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-2012)
Selena Gomez’s portrayal of Alex Russo in the fantasy teen sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place made her a household name. In the show, Gomez plays a teenage wizard living in New York City who trains with her brothers to compete and win custody of their family’s magical powers. Her portrayal as a young tomboy trying to hide her powers while dealing with the troubles of youth made her a fan favorite.
According to NextTV, the show’s final episode was the most-watched finale of any Disney channel series. Gomez won several accolades for her performance in the series, including six Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and two Teen Choice Awards. She recently appeared in the sequel series Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, which premiered in October 2024.
Where to watch: Disney+
2) Spring Breakers (2012)
This cult classic crime comedy film sees Selena Gomez as a young religious girl who goes on spring break along with her party-loving friends, played by Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, and Rachel Korine. The girls get entangled with a local drug dealer, played by James Franco, and end up being embroiled in crime and violence.
In an old interview with the Guardian, Gomez shared that it was her mother's idea to star in the movie. Her mother, a huge fan of writer-director Harmony Korine, received the script and convinced Gomez to take the role. The movie helped Gomez break away from her Disney persona and announce her foray into mature acting roles.
Where to watch: Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video
3) Only Murders in the Building (2021-present)
Selena Gomez delivers one of her most notable performances as Mabel Mora in the mystery comedy-drama Only Murders in the Building. Mabel, a young artist living alone in her aunt’s unit in the Arconia, an upscale Upper West Side apartment building, gets entangled with two fellow residents (played by Steve Martin and Martin Short) in investigating a string of murders in the building.
For her performance in the series, Gomez received nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Golden Globes. Her nomination at this year’s Golden Globes made her one of only two actors in 2025 to be nominated in multiple categories for different performances.
Where to watch: Disney+, Hulu
4) The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
In The Fundamentals of Caring, Selena Gomez gives a heartwarming performance as Dot, a hitchhiker. She joins Ben, an unemployed writer, and Trevor, an 18-year-old boy with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, on a road trip to see the world’s deepest pit. In the movie, Selena portrays the role of a troubled youth who is trying to move to Denver to change her life around.
Written and directed by Rob Burnett, this movie is based on the Jonathan Evison novel The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving. The story revolves around the themes of redemption and healing. Selena delivers an emotional performance alongside lead actors Paul Rudd and Craig Roberts.
Where to watch: Netflix
5) Monte Carlo (2011)
Selena Gomez delivers another great performance in the adventure-romantic comedy Monte Carlo. Gomez plays Grace Bennett, who goes on a trip to Paris with her two friends. There, she gets mistaken for a spoiled British heiress. The friends then pose as wealthy socialites while hilariously going on an adventure in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
The movie is based on Jules Bass’ 2001 novel Headhunters. Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy star alongside Gomez. The movie features Gomez’s hit song, Who Says. Gomez won the Favorite Film Actress award at the Hollywood Teen TV Awards for her performance in the movie.
Where to watch: Disney+, Prime Video
These are some of the many movies and shows starring Selena Gomez. Viewers can also watch her performances in Another Cinderella Story (2008), Ramona and Beezus (2010), A Rainy Day in New York (2019), and Getaway (2013).
