Top 5 Jennifer Garner movies that should definitely find a place in your watchlist

While discussing the Jennifer Garner movies, we should recognize how versatile she is. Whether action, comedy, or thrillers, she has worked on everything. She might just be one of the most underappreciated actresses of her generation. Even in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), she delivered a standout cameo as Electra, a lethal assassin from Marvel whom she had previously portrayed in the 2005 film.

It was one of her earliest roles that led her to stardom. Around this time, she was cast in ABC's spy thriller series Alias for six seasons as the covert operative Sydney Bristow. While proving her mettle as an action star with dramatic chops, she also starred in the body-swap comedy 13 Going on 30 as the charming romantic lead.

In later years, Garner also worked on dramas that dig deeper into the core of her characters.

Here are some of the best Jennifer Garner movies that should be on your watchlist.

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Here are the top 5 Jennifer Garner movies to watch:

5. Love, Simon (2018)

There have been more than a few dramas about people coming out to their loved ones, but they might not be as charming as Love, Simon. This 2018 film follows a gay teenager coming to terms with his identity. Jennifer Garner stars as the teen's mother, Emily, who supports him through thick and thin. Garner knows just how to pull at your heartstrings. That is particularly evident in a scene where she offers a heartfelt speech for Simon. If not for her, we may not realize how comforting it is to have someone as supportive as Emily by your side.

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4. Catch Me If You Can (2002)

The film came out at a time when Leonardo DiCaprio was mostly known as a romantic lead. It catapulted his career, thanks to its sharp humor and the overall thrill of his conman character's criminal shenanigans. Jennifer Garner appears in only one scene as model Cheryl Ann, who tries to fish DiCaprio's character but ends up getting fished instead. Garner blends right into the coy and whimsical tone that Steven Spielberg sets through his direction throughout the film. Despite having a smaller role in this big ride, Garnet leaves quite an impression with her turn.

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3. Wakefield (2016)

The Breaking Bad fans might get a kick out of this 2016 thriller that stars Bryan Cranston as a family man who falls into an existential crisis. It is a tense and gloomy psychological thriller that will linger long after the credits start rolling. Jennifer Garner plays his suburban wife, Diana, who has to contend with the sudden disappearance of her husband. She ensures that we feel her profound sense of loss as she sees her marriage start to unravel.

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2. Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

The film revolves around Ron Woodroof (played by Matthew McConaughey), an AIDS patient, who learns that he has only 30 days to live. He portrays the pains of having to make peace with his tragic fate. Jennifer Garner stars as Dr. Eve Saks, who treats Ron and other patients through their struggles. While treating him, Eve starts questioning the unfair nature of some of the medical disciplines. Garner aptly portrays Eve's gradual change of heart about the system as she values compassion while treating her emotionally vulnerable patients with a more evolved understanding.

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1. Juno (2007)

A high-schooler learns what might be the worst news for a high-schooler: she is going to have a baby. She decides to give birth to this child while staying true to her offbeat attitude. Jennifer Garner plays Vanessa, a woman who decides to adopt the newborn with her partner. Although she is not the protagonist, Garner's intricate performance lets us be more aware of Vanessa's internal conflicts. She details Vanessa's underlying pain as a woman trying to move on with her life, while her husband might be happy turning back the clock. It's the subtlety of her performance that makes her subplot compelling.

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