Selena Gomez Movies and TV Shows: Her Complete Acting Career
Selena Gomez has built a diverse career in movies and TV shows, transitioning from Disney Channel stardom to critically acclaimed dramatic and comedic roles.
Her notable projects include Only Murders in the Building, Wizards of Waverly Place, and the musical crime film Emilia Pérez.
| First TV Role | Gianna in Barney & Friends (2002) |
| Breakout Role | Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012) |
| Acclaimed Comedy Role | Mabel Mora in Only Murders in the Building |
| Award-Winning Film | Emilia Pérez (2024) |
| Upcoming Project | Linda Ronstadt Biopic |
| Directorial Debut | Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 3 (2026) |
Selena Gomez began her journey in the entertainment industry as a child actress in 2002, landing the role of Gianna on the children's television series Barney & Friends for 13 episodes. She later rose to international prominence on the Disney Channel, starring as the sarcastic wizard Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place from 2007 to 2012. This breakout role established her as a household name and earned her 13 Kids' Choice Awards over the years. In a full-circle moment, Gomez returned to this universe for the sequel series Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, which premiered in October 2024 and concluded its run in August 2026.
In recent years, Gomez's work on television has reached new critical heights. She stars as Mabel Mora in the Hulu mystery-comedy series Only Murders in the Building. Her performance earned her a first acting Primetime Emmy nomination in 2024 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Beyond acting, Gomez serves as an executive producer for the show. In this role, she has received five Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series between 2022 and 2026, making her the most-nominated Latina producer in Emmy history.
Gomez has also made significant waves in cinema, most notably with her role in the musical crime film Emilia Pérez. The film received an 11-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. At the festival, Gomez and her co-stars Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, and Adriana Paz jointly won the Best Actress Award. This marked a major milestone in her film career, showcasing her range as a dramatic actress and performer. The project allowed her to showcase her talents as both an actor and a singer-songwriter, contributing to the film's critical success.
In addition to scripted acting, Gomez has expanded her television presence into reality programming and behind-the-camera work. She hosted the cooking show Selena + Chef, which earned her two Daytime Emmy Award nominations in the Culinary Series categories in 2023 and 2025. Furthermore, Gomez made her official directorial debut in 2026. She stepped behind the camera to direct the premiere episode of the final chapter (Season 3) of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, showcasing her growing influence as a creator. This directorial milestone marked a significant transition in her career, allowing her to shape the final chapter of the franchise that originally launched her to stardom.
Looking ahead, Gomez is set to tackle one of her most anticipated biographical roles. In January 2024, it was confirmed that she will portray the 11-time Grammy-winning music icon Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic. The film is based on Ronstadt's memoir Simple Dreams, promising to highlight Gomez's dual talents as both a singer and an actress. This project will explore the life of the legendary artist, drawing directly from her personal memoirs.