If anybody called someone the "Next Big Thing" in Hollywood, most individuals would experience some pressure to conform to those lofty ambitions. However, Jenna Ortega has proven herself worthy of that title. Ortega has already accomplished several key career benchmarks since she began performing as a child. As a teenager, she voiced the character Princess Isabel Flores on Disney Channel's Elena of Avalor and starred with Penn Badgley in the famous Netflix drama You. She has become a major Scream Queen and had the biggest hit of her career with Netflix's Wednesday.
Update July 6, 2023: This article has been updated following many of Ortega's recently announced projects.
Ortega's career is showing no signs of slowing down. She is set to star in a Paramount+ thriller Finestkind, and was cast in Lionsgate's Miller's Girl. She will star and executive produce both the romantic drama Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall and a new film by Trey Edward Shults. Ortega will star and produce A24's Alba alongside Riverdale star Camila Mendes. Her highest profile role will be in Beetlejuice 2, where she will play the daughter of Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder). With all that in mind, here is a look back at Jenna Ortega's best performances.
11 Jane The Virgin (2014-2019)
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When people contemplate that Jane the Virgin has lasted 100 episodes, they would assume that somebody who featured in 30 of them wouldn't have played a significant role. Jenna Ortega's appearance in the popular soap opera is, nonetheless, crucial to the plot.
Ortega played the younger version of Jane throughout the show. In critical flashback scenes, she performed more than almost any other artist who stepped into the role over time. During its run, Jane the Virgin received numerous honors and established Gina Rodriguez as a household celebrity.
10 You (2018-2021)
Jenna Ortega is probably most known for her performance on You. The sitcom debuted on Lifetime but languished there before finding new life on Netflix, where it became one of the digital giant's most famous shows and received further seasons.
In season 2, Ortega appeared as Ellie Alves, Joe's violent serial murderer protagonist's neighbor. Together with Ellie's sister Delilah, they create an intriguing friendship. Season 2 had the strongest ratings of the series and helped propel Ortega to stardom.
9 The Fallout (2021)
The Fallout is the film to see if visitors want to get a true sense of Jenna Ortega's acting abilities. It aired at South by SXSW in 2021 before premiering on HBOMax in early 2022, and the performances and debutant writer/director Megan Park received high praise.
The story follows two teenage girls who create a terrible relationship while hiding in the restroom after a school massacre. As a coming-of-age film, The Fallout spotlights the trauma of school shootings. Maddie Ziegler and Ortega both provide deep performances, and the film is wonderful, but the melancholy nature of it all makes it difficult to see numerous times.
8 Stuck In The Middle (2016-2018)
This lively comedy follows the Helter-Skelter tempo of its fresh-faced central protagonist, reflecting the hectic goings-on in the enormous Diaz household. Ortega's role in Stuck in the Middle is as an engineer who utilizes her inventions to get by as the middle kid in a household of seven children. As she navigates the everyday shenanigans that accompany someone being a part of a large family, her unnoticed position appears to be both a grace and a pain. Ortega is a natural in this part, pressing her position as a long-suffering middle child while finding humor in the various misfortunes that afflict her attempts to shine.
7 The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)
Ortega debuted in the horror genre as a supporting character in Insidious 2 before starring as Phoebe in Netflix's The Babysitter: Killer Queen. It was her first main role in the Netflix supernatural thriller, which helped her get widespread recognition and exposure. Phoebe, a Goth high school student who strives to escape the fury of the protagonists' demonic nanny and the other cultists, demonstrated Ortega's acting, versatility, and talent to perform in many genres.
The Babysitter: Killer Queen star says that shooting the 'magical' houseboat scene was so electric. Despite the bad reviews, fans appreciated Ortega's inclusion in the film and are eager to see her again in future horror films. While Jenna Ortega's performance as Phoebe was her debut as a slasher scream queen, it would not be her last.
6 X (2022)
Jenna Ortega had a breakout year in 2022, with one of the highlights being Ti West's sensual thriller X. Ortega plays Lorraine Day, a young woman who accompanies the trip to help her boyfriend RJ with shooting a porno film. While perceived as the innocent member of the crew, she showcases she has a desire for thrill that surprises everyone and shocks her boyfriend. It's clear that the star is on the correct track after watching her career develop and expand in the direction it has since her Disney princess days.
5 Scream (2022)
Jenna's next major horror film would be Scream, which relaunched the franchise and helped Ortega cement herself as a Scream Queen. Ortega stunned with her acting talents in the part of Tara Carpenter, the sister of the lead, Sam. Tara is repeatedly subjected to great physical pain in the movie, and those that have seen it know, and Ortega sells that pain like crazy. Jenna Ortega appears to have grasped the thrill and pressure that come with appearing in Scream's opening sequences since her acting in the new film has received widespread praise from reviewers and fans alike.
4 Scream VI (2023)
Scream VI is clearly cashing in on Jenna Ortega's recent rise to fame in 2022, as she has a much larger role in the sequel. Now a member of the newly dubbed "Core Four," Tara is now trying to adjust to her new life as the survivor of a recent Ghostface killing while also dealing with her sister Sam's overbearing protection. Ortega truly shines, and her expanded presence in the sequel is greatly appreciated as she provides a real sense of grounded relatability for the rest of the cast to bounce off of.
3 American Carnage (2022)
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American Carnage is another 2022 comedy horror movie that displays even more of Jenna's talent in the gothic and the terrifying. Director Diego Hallivis does a great job in bringing forth the actress's potential by giving her a more active role than in her previous horror movie roles. She is not just a teenager who screams in horror and flees danger; in this movie, she actually fights back. To put things in context, she plays the role of a teenager among a group of undocumented immigrants who are given the choice between being arrested or accepting to care for the elderly.
During their stay at the institution, they discover that a bigger and more dangerous agenda is at play. The movie is not just about fighting off the malicious staff that wants to turn those teenagers into consumable meat but handles more serious issues like racism and discrimination against minorities. Jenna does a wonderful job conveying both the horror and the political layer behind it.
2 Saving Flora (2018)
Saving Flora is a rare movie for Jenna but certainly a valuable addition to her already awesome cinematic resume. It's rare because it's not a horror movie but actually a drama adventure that shows a different side of her acting skills. The story begins when the father of a young girl named Dawn is preparing to euthanize his old elephant Flora who is no longer able to perform in the circus. Refusing to say her good Byes to the elephant she grew up with, Dawn sneaks Flora out and takes her in a journey into two hundred kilometers of woods to find shelter and safety. Chased by hunters and people looking all over for her, Dawn takes the audience into a thrilling world of adventures. Jenna took the whole movie on her shoulders and successfully transmitted the timeless message of the real value of animal companionship.
1 Wednesday
Wednesday could be considered how Ortega was forever etched into the audience's memory. Her performance in the Netflix series is by far the highlight of her career as an actress. She steps into the iconic role of Wednesday Adams of the Adams Family. Her aloofness, emotionless attitude, and inability to connect to her colleagues all contribute to the unique aura of her character. Wednesday's unparalleled success has made both the series and the star a cultural phenomenon.