Jennifer Anistonhas starred in some of the most beloved rom-coms ever made, but looking closely at her filmography revealed many films that viewers may have missed. While movies likeAlong Came PollyandBruce Almightystood out as highly acclaimed and well-known rom-coms, Aniston has consistently starred in lesser-known releases that deserve more attention and recognition. Even as she starred as Rachel Green onFriendsfor ten years, Aniston still carved out time in her busy schedule for some heartfelt, hilarious, and often zany rom-com love stories.
Many of thebest Jennifer Aniston movieswere rom-coms, but there were plenty more titles that audiences may have never heard of. While these lesser-known releases varied in quality, and some were unknown for a reason, Aniston always brought her unique charm and comedic persona to every part she played. Even though they may not be as well-known as her best work,lovers of Aniston’s bombastic and charming style will surely discover some hidden gems from these releases.
10She’s The One (1996)
Jennifer Aniston as Renee Fitzpatrick
She’s the Onewas a woefully unknown Jennifer Aniston rom-com released shortly after she had found worldwide success as Rachel Green onFriends. With Edward Burns, Mike McGlone, and Cameron Diaz as co-stars, the lives of brothers, wives, and girlfriends become entangled when Aniston’s movie husband cheats on her with his brother’s ex. As a comedy of errors exploring infidelity, sibling rivalry, and insecurity,She’s the Onewas an insightful rom-com from a male perspectivethat was an early indication of Aniston’s incredible skill in this genre.
She’s the Onewas a great chance for Aniston to show off her acting chops outside ofFriends.
WhileShe’s the Onewas a great chance for Aniston to show off her acting chops outside ofFriends, she was also underutilized in her supporting role as the unloved wife, and the movie was brought down by a poor performance from Maxine Bahns as Hope, her husband’s affair partner. Sadly,She’s the Onewas just too uneven to stand out among much betterrom-coms of the 1990sand was a forgettable entry in Aniston’s filmography. The most memorable thing aboutShe’s the Onewas its original soundtrack from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, which they released as their ninth studio album.
9Dream For An Insomniac (1996)
Jennifer Aniston as Allison
Dream for an Insomniacfelt like an attempt to portray the same kind of 1990s slacker existence as a movie likeReality Bites, although it never became the same kind of Gen-X classic as that Ben Stiller movie. Unfortunately, by the metrics of this film’s characters, who continually state, “Anything less than extraordinary is a waste of my time,” it failed to deliver. With a story about a lonely girl who meets the boy of her dreams and his girlfriend, this classic rom-com setup had some bright moments and funny dialogue but was mostly forgettable.
Like many of Aniston’s movies during the 1990s, she was the best aboutDream for an Insomniac,as she stole every scene she was in.Aniston was glowing with star power and charisma during this eraas she sported her iconic “The Rachel” haircut and had a lot of fun with her supporting role as the best friend, Frankie. With a casual filming style that moves from black and white to color,Dream for an Insomniacwas a solid debut that sadly acted as the only movie by its writer and director, Tiffanie DeBartolo.
8Picture Perfect (1997)
Jennifer Aniston as Kate Mosley
The plot ofPicture Perfectfeatured a set-up that rom-com lovers had seen a thousand times before as Jennifer Aniston pretended to be engaged to a wedding photographer she had just met to impress her boss. The derivative nature of its storyline, repeated in much more well-known movies likeThe ProposalandThe Wedding Date, predictably became increasingly complex as Aniston started seeing her colleague, played by Kevin Bacon, while her fake fiance started to genuinely fall for her. While it didn’t break any new ground,Picture Perfectticked all the light boxes for a lighthearted romance.
Although there was nothing original about the story ofPicture Perfect, it’s clear that Aniston can lead a rom-com like nobody else. It was fantastic to see Aniston gaining starring roles in movies such as this while simultaneously juggling them with her time onFriends. With a strong script and some good characterization, if the concept ofPicture Perfectwasn’t so contrived, it would likely be a far better-known entry in Aniston’s body of work.
The Object of My Affection
Cast
The Object of My Affection is a romantic comedy-drama that stars Jennifer Aniston as Nina Borowski, a social worker who befriends George, played by Paul Rudd, a gay elementary school teacher. Directed by Nicholas Hytner and based on the novel by Stephen McCauley, the film explores the complexities of modern relationships as Nina and George navigate their unconventional friendship while facing societal and personal challenges.
Four years before becoming co-stars onFriends, Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd starred in the lesser-known romantic comedyThe Object of My Affection. Released several months before the premiere of the NBC sitcom that dealt with similar themes,Will & Grace,The Object of My Affectedfeatured Aniston as a pregnant social worker who developed feelings for her gay best friend (Rudd) and decided she wanted to raise her child with him. ForFriendslovers, it may seem like blasphemy to see Rachel in love with Phoebe’s husband, but the two had undeniable onscreen chemistry.
The Object of My Affectionwas a success at the box officewhen it was first released, although a predicable plot and a lack of urgency meant this film has mostly fallen into obscurity. The issue withThe Object of My Affectionwas that it dealt with big and important themes around love, sexuality, and alternative family structures, but never quite managed to address these topics with the nuances required. With plenty of rom-com sappiness,The Object of My Affectionhad the potential to be a lot better than it was.
Rumor Has It…
Rumor Has It… stars Jennifer Aniston as Sarah Huttinger, a woman who discovers her family might have been the inspiration for the book and film The Graduate. Directed by Rob Reiner, the film follows Sarah as she navigates her complicated family history and her current relationship with her fiancé, played by Mark Ruffalo. Kevin Costner and Shirley MacLaine co-star in this romantic comedy-drama.
Upon inspection, Rob Reiner’s rom-comRumor Has It, which featured Kevin Cosner as a character who slept with the grandmother, mother, and daughter of one family, had questionable undertones. With Jennifer Aniston as a woman who learned her family may have inspired the iconic novel and movieThe Graduate,Rumor Has Itstarted with an intriguing plot but failed to take it anywhere new or interesting. As a box office disappointment that received mixed reviews from critics, it’s no surprise this was one of the lesser-known entries in Aniston’s career.
WhileRumor HasIt has its issues, as its zany sequences undercut the emotional resonance of its characters, there were also enough laughs throughout to keep things engaging. Aniston’s performance was also central to elevating the film from mediocrity, as she brought much-needed energy to this ridiculous story. Sadly,Rumor Has Itwas a far cry fromReiner’s best movies, likeThe Princess BrideorWhen Harry Met Sally, but this will do the trick for those looking to relax and turn their brains off with a mindless rom-com.
The Break-Up
The Break-Up is a romantic comedy depicting the tumultuous relationship between Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) and Gary (Vince Vaughn). After a series of misunderstandings and quarrels, the couple decides to end their relationship but continues to live together, leading to a series of comedic and emotionally charged interactions. Directed by Peyton Reed, The Break-Up explores themes of love, communication, and the complexities of modern relationships.
The Break-Upfeatured Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn as a couple traversing the end of their relationship that peeled back the curtain of all that had gone wrong with their once-loving romance. While Aniston’s Brooke felt underappreciated, Vaughn’s Gary thought she was too controlling, and the pair must untangle their lives from one another as they sell their mutual condo and try to move on. As a document of the struggles of modern romance and the challenges of communication,The Break-Upwas an insightful look into the way that couples can fall apart.
With strong performances across the board and an enjoyable supporting role fromAniston’s frequent collaborator Jason Bateman,the universal struggles inThe Break-Upmade this a relatable and realistic rom-com. As a story of self-discovery, it was enjoyable to see Brooke find a way to thrive outside of her relationship and for Gary to reflect on where things went wrong and do the work to become a better man. While it’s practically indistinguishable from any other rom-com of doomed relationships,The Break-Upwas still a good time.
Management
Management is a romantic comedy directed by Stephen Belber, starring Jennifer Aniston and Steve Zahn. The story follows the awkward yet sweet relationship between Sue Claussen, a traveling saleswoman, and Mike Cranshaw, an assistant motel manager. Their brief encounter leads to a series of comedic and touching moments as Mike pursues Sue across the country, testing the boundaries of love and commitment.
Jennifer Aniston was an executive producer for the offbeat rom-comManagement. With Aniston as the high-powered company sales executive Sue Claussen and Steve Zahn as Mike, the hapless night management of his parent’s motel, the two formed an unlikely connection as Sue momentarily let Mike touch her butt while they shared champagne in her motel room on a business trip. In most instances, things would end right there, but Mike was smitten and decided to fly to Baltimore to let Sue know how he felt.
Managementwas a strange movie with stalkerish undertones that still worked due to the sincere vulnerability of Zahn’s performance.
Managementwas a strange movie with stalkerish undertones that still worked due to the sincere vulnerability of Zahn’s performance and Aniston’s innate likability and upbeat demeanor. This was a story of two lonely people taking chances in a challenging world that felt clever and original.Managementwas surprisingly heartfelt, andZahn’s performance turned what could have been a creepy stalker character into something that felt more nuancedand honest.
The Switch
The Switch is a romantic comedy directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck, starring Jennifer Aniston as Kassie, a single woman who decides to have a baby through artificial insemination, and Jason Bateman as Wally, her best friend who secretly substitutes the donor sample with his own. As years pass, Wally must navigate the evolving dynamics of their relationship and the consequences of his actions.
The Switchreunited Jennifer Aniston and Jason Batemanfor a rom-com about a man who drunkenly switched the sperm donations for his best friend’s child with his own. With a truly outrageous and morally dubious premise,The Switchwas actually a touching love story about best friends, unrequited love, and the time it takes to discover what’s right in romance. While audiences will have to suspend their disbelief for events like an “insemination party,” Aniston and Bateman’s clear chemistry made this a highlight underrated 2010s rom-com.
The story took place over several years as Aniston’s character became pregnant and raised her young child. This strangely sentimental tale saw Bateman try to reconnect with a seven-year-old son whom nobody knew was his. With interesting character dynamics,The Switchincluded many tropes and clichés of the rom-com genre but still felt unique. With plenty of lighthearted moments and a serious topic undercutting its narrative,The Switchwas an insightful rom-com that deserves more attention than it ever got.
The Bounty Hunter
The Bounty Hunter stars Gerard Butler as Milo Boyd, a bounty hunter assigned to retrieve his ex-wife, Nicole Hurly, played by Jennifer Aniston, who has skipped bail. Directed by Andy Tennant, the film blends elements of action, comedy, and romance as the duo navigates their turbulent relationship while being pursued by criminals.
If it wasn’t for the great chemistry between Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler, the cliche-ridden action rom-comThe Bounty Hunterwould be a total waste of time. With nominations for Worst Actor, Actress, Picture, and Screen Couple at the Razzies, and Aniston even winning the Actress Most in Need of a New Agent prize at the Alliance of Women Film Journalists awards,The Bounty Hunterwas badly received by critics, to say the least. However, for all its faults, this story about a bounty hunter retrieving his ex-wife who skipped out on her bail had some redeeming moments.
The Bounty Hunterwas a formulaic rom-com with plenty of violence and fast-paced action as the two former lovers tried to outwit one another throughout this frantic road trip movie. With a few bright spots and some laugh-out-loud sequences, the overall feeling watchingThe Bounty Hunterwas that it could have been so much better. Whilelovers of Aniston’s bombastic rom-com persona will find a lot to enjoy,The Bounty Hunterwas one of her lesser-known movies for a reason.
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is a 2016 ensemble comedy directed by Garry Marshall. The film weaves together the stories of several families as they navigate the complexities of modern parenting and relationships around Mother’s Day. With an ensemble cast including Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, and Julia Roberts, the film explores themes of motherhood, love, and personal growth, providing a heartfelt examination of the joys and challenges faced by mothers.
From the same director asPretty WomanandThe Princess Diaries,Mother’s Dayhas failed to have the same kind of lasting cultural impact as those Garry Marshall movies. However, this ensemble rom-com had plenty to offer as it featured iconic actresses like Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, and Kate Hudson.This story of three generations of mothers coming together in the week leading up to Mother’s Dayalso reunited Aniston with herWe’re the Miller’scostar, Jason Sudeikis.
However, for all the talent on display,Mother’s Daynever quite lived up to its potential, as its predictable rom-com cliches and by-the-numbers narrative made for a lackluster viewing experience. Sadly, like many of Aniston’s lesser-known rom-coms,Mother’s Dayjust never hit the right notes, and although it was perfectly watchable, it felt like a waste of its talented cast. WhileMother’s Dayworked well as some distracting entertainment, it did nothing to stand out among the rest ofJennifer Aniston’swork and was likely quickly forgotten by viewers once the credits had rolled.
