Selena

"Discover the true story of one of America's brightest stars... that faded too soon."

1997 2h 7m EN

🙌

7.7

BANGER

🍅

66%

FRESH

👌

METACRITIC

⭐

6.9

IMDB

★7.7TMDB · 1,343🍅66%Rotten Tomatoes●67Metacritic★6.9IMDB · 33,924

DramaMusicHistory

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In this biographical drama, Selena Quintanilla is born into a musical Mexican-American family in Texas. Her father, Abraham, 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, who draws the ire of her father. Seeking mainstream stardom, Selena begins recording an English-language album which, tragically, she would never complete.

“Discover the true story of one of America's brightest stars... that faded too soon.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

HBO Max Amazon ChannelSubscription

HBO MaxSubscription

Amazon VideoRent

Apple TV StoreRent

Google Play MoviesRent

Google Play MoviesBuy

YouTubeBuy

Fandango At HomeBuy

Cast

Jennifer Lopez
Selena Quintanilla
Jackie Guerra
Suzette Quintanilla
Constance Marie
Marcela Quintanilla
Alex Meneses
Sara
Jon Seda
Chris Perez
Edward James Olmos
Abraham Quintanilla
Jacob Vargas
A. B. Quintanilla
Pete Astudillo
Self - Dinos 1990's

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Gregory Nava
Writers: Gregory Nava
Languages: Spanish, English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Made its money back 3.0× over at the box office.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

29 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Spanish, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Gregory Nava, shot by Edward Lachman. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Dave Grusin. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Nancy Richardson shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Jennifer Lopez and Jackie Guerra and Constance Marie carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Discover the true story of one of America's brightest stars... that faded too soon.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Gregory Nava directs. Edward Lachman behind the camera. Dave Grusin scores. Nancy Richardson cuts. Profitable at the box office. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in Spanish, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Made its money back 3.0× over at the box office.
229 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Spanish, English.
4Directed by Gregory Nava, shot by Edward Lachman. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Dave Grusin. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Nancy Richardson shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Jennifer Lopez and Jackie Guerra and Constance Marie carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "Discover the true story of one of America's brightest stars... that faded too soon.".
9IMDB entry: tt0120094 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Classified under 10 themes, including "texas", "biography", "elopement", "bustier".

The technical file

Cinematography: Edward Lachman
Original score: Dave Grusin
Editing: Nancy Richardson
Production design: Cary White
Costume design: Elisabetta Beraldo
Makeup / hair: Tonantzin Esparza
VFX supervisor: David M. Garber
Sound: Bob Beemer
Stunt coordinator: Russell Towery
Runtime: 127 min · 2h 7m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $20,000,000
Box office: $60,000,000
Return: 300% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG
IMDB: Selena (1997)
Rotten Tomatoes: 66% 🍅 Fresh
Metacritic: 67/100
IMDB rating: 6.9/10 · 33,924 votes
MPAA: PG

Awards

9 wins & 6 nominations total

Also by

Gregory Nava

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

dbzgal042017-03-31
★ 10/10
A very affectionate and heart-warming biopic about a talented singer who was snatched from this world way too soon. From Selena's childhood, to her discovered talent, to her trials and triumphs, and to her skyrocketing music career. This movie shows how much Selena accomplished during her life on Earth, and how many other lives she touched. With the help of this excellent biopic, the legacy of Selena Quintanilla-Perez will continue and never be forgotten. RIP Selena, you are loved by many!
JPV8522020-07-04
★ 8/10
Good biopic with great performances from Jennifer Lopez and Edward James Olmos. The direction, however, is the film's shortcomings that was a bit shoddy at times, though seems like the concert recreations were alright. Also would've liked to see the development between Selena and Yolanda Saldívar (the woman who killed her) was a bit better, but otherwise a fine portrait of a talented singer just getting started. 3.75/5