Top 10 Jenna Ortega Movies and TV Shows

In the previous year, Ortega's profession and recognition as a horror legend experienced a surge when she starred in a series of four frightening films, including Wednesday. This solidified her position as one of the most in-demand emerging talents in the industry.

Before becoming known as a popular actress among Gen Z, the 20-year-old star had a career as a young performer, making appearances in television programs such as CSI: NY and big-budget sequels like Iron Man 3 and Insidious: Chapter 2. Her experience in the horror genre with Insidious hinted at Ortega's future work in the genre, but not before she gained recognition for her role as Harley Diaz on Disney series in the 2010s, particularly on Stuck in the Middle.

In 2022, Jenna Ortega gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Wednesday Addams in the popular Netflix series, Wednesday. However, she is not a newcomer to the entertainment industry.

10. Yes Day (2021)

Top 10 Jenna Ortega Movies and TV Shows

The movie 'Yes Day' features Jenna Ortega, H.E.R., and Jennifer Garner.

The name associated with Netflix is JOHN P. JOHNSON.

During their youth, Allison and Carlos, played by Jennifer Garner and Édgar Ramirez respectively, were eager to say "yes" to any new opportunity. However, as parents, they now find themselves constantly saying "no" to their children. In order to ease the family's overall anxiety, particularly that of their teenage daughter Katie (played by Ortega), who longs to attend a concert, Allison and Carlos decide to have a "Yes Day". On this day, they agree to fulfill all of their children's wishes without any hesitation.

Miguel Arteta, a filmmaker known for his diverse range of work including The Good Girl and Beatriz at Dinner, directs the film Yes Day. This movie fills a much-needed void in family-friendly entertainment, as it features A-list actors and is specifically aimed at parents and their young children. Unlike other films of this genre, Yes Day does not try to cater to a wider audience by incorporating self-aware references, and it effectively balances its comedic and heartfelt moments.

Ortega, the eldest of Allison and Carlos' three offspring, adds complexity to the commonly known role of an arrogant teenager. She successfully captures a genuine and believable essence, and her on-screen connection with Garner is considered the standout feature of the film.

9. The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)

Top 10 Jenna Ortega Movies and TV Shows

The streaming service, Netflix.

Following his traumatic experience with a dangerous cult in the film "The Babysitter" from 2017, Cole Johnson (played by Judah Lewis) is admitted to a psychiatric institution by his parents. Despite Cole's account of the events, his parents do not believe him. However, Cole manages to escape the facility with a group of friends and they head to a lakeside retreat. Unfortunately, the cult members that were thought to be dead have been resurrected and are hot on their trail. Cole receives assistance from a new student named Phoebe Atwell (portrayed by Ortega) as he once again tries to save the day.

Ortega's portrayal of her character in Killer Queen embodies the archetype of the final girl. Unlike Tara in Scream or Lorraine in X, Phoebe lacks agency but Ortega showcases her potential for horror in this role. Despite the challenging stunts and pyrotechnics, Ortega delivers a strong performance. What truly stands out is how she infuses her personal touches into Phoebe's first leading role in a major studio production, grounding her character in a relatable reality.

8. American Carnage (2022)

Top 10 Jenna Ortega Movies and TV Shows

Picture a mixture of Get Out and a consistent version of The New Mutants, but with a more comedic and suspenseful twist. This is the premise of Diego Hallivis' clever thriller, in which the offspring of undocumented immigrants are labeled as criminals and pursued by authorities. These teens are given the option to reduce their punishment by working in a nursing home, but it soon becomes clear that there is a more sinister motive at play.

Although lacking subtlety, American Carnage compensates with its nostalgic and unapologetic approach. Hallivis' film brings to mind the wild and over-the-top teen thrillers from the late '80s and early '90s that were released straight to video.

In 2022, Carnage became the fourth horror project from Ortega to hit the screens, showcasing a new facet of her acting skills. Unlike her previous roles in Scream and X, Ortega's character Camila in this film is more dynamic and fiery. She brings a glimpse of her edgy intensity and impressive comedic timing that audiences would later witness in her portrayal of Wednesday Addams, just months after the release of Carnage.

7. Jane the Virgin (2014-2019)

Jane Villanueva, portrayed by Gina Rodriguez, is a responsible young woman who is determined to avoid the same mistake her mother made by having children at a young age. However, fate has other plans as she unexpectedly finds herself pregnant with her boss Rafael's, played by Justin Baldoni, child. As her life takes an unexpected turn, Jane is forced to confront challenging choices and absurd obstacles that jeopardize her carefully crafted future.

In 30 episodes of the lively comedy series, Ortega portrays a young version of Jane, a character that catapulted her into Disney Channel fame and beyond. It is evident why she caught the attention of Disney executives, but what truly sets Ortega apart during her time on Jane the Virgin is her refusal to conform to the stereotypical image of a child actor. Her performance is sophisticated yet not overly adorable, and her delivery is effortless and occasionally nonchalant, a skill that seasoned actors often find challenging to achieve.

6. You, season 2 (2019)

The image is credited to Beth Dubber from Netflix.

In the new season of the popular and twisted series on Netflix, the main character Joe Goldberg (played by Penn Badgley) relocates to Los Angeles and becomes infatuated with Love Quinn (portrayed by Victoria Pedretti). Alongside this obsession, he also deals with his interactions with his neighbor Delilah Alves, a journalist, and her younger sister Ellie (Ortega), who has a passion for movies.

Ortega's breakout role in You marked her departure from her child star image, as she found herself in intense and distressing situations (especially when acting alongside Chris D'Elia). However, the show's skillful execution maintains a light and playful tone, exemplified by the way it handles these serious themes. Ortega's portrayal showcases her appeal to horror directors, as she brings a sense of authenticity to the terror of assault and deceit, evoking genuine anxiety when her character is in danger.

5. Scream VI (2023)

Top 10 Jenna Ortega Movies and TV Shows

The movie "Scream VI" produced by Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group features Melissa Barrera as "Sam Carpenter" and Jenna Ortega as "Tara Carpenter". The image shows the two stars in character, with Melissa on the left and Jenna on the right. The photo, taken by EW, has been edited to a maximum size of 150000 bytes and has been stripped of its ICC color profile to prevent upscaling.

'Scream VI' features Jenna Ortega.

The credit for the film goes to Philippe Bosse and Paramount.

The newest addition to the Scream series follows Sam (played by Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Ortega), as well as Chad and Mindy (Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy-Brown, who was a standout in Yellowjackets), as they try to flee from the trauma of the 2022 massacre by moving from Woodsboro to New York City. However, their hopes for a fresh start are shattered when a new string of Ghostface killings begins as soon as they reach their destination.

The movie Scream VI may unintentionally resemble numerous post- Scream slasher films from the 1990s and early 2000s, such as Urban Legend and Wrong Turn. It is a noticeably absurd film, lacking the focused purpose and unpredictability of the 2022 installment helmed by returning directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, although this may have been intentional. (After all, what is a sequel to a slasher movie if not a slightly more enjoyable but equally unoriginal repetition of itself?)

Ortega is the main character in Scream VI, present in almost every scene and serving as a guide for the audience as the plot becomes more and more twisted. In comparison to her role in the 2022 installment of Scream, she takes on a more prominent role in this film. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this sequel is the opportunity it gives for Tara's character to develop and have some fun, despite still dealing with the traumatic murder of her friends. The added romance between her and Gooding's character adds a well-crafted touch of grace to the intense 122 minutes of violence.

4. Scream (2022)

Top 10 Jenna Ortega Movies and TV Shows

The actress Jenna Ortega stars in the film 'Scream'.

The production company Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group are credited as BROWNIE HARRIS's collaborators.

In a groundbreaking move, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known for their work on "Ready or Not", took on the task of directing the iconic Scream franchise after the passing of Wes Craven. Their critically acclaimed sequel, also referred to as a "requel", follows the events 25 years after the original Woodsboro killings, with Sidney (played by Neve Campbell) once again at the center of the terror. Alongside returning characters Gale (Courteney Cox) and Dewey (David Arquette), a new cast including the Carpenter sisters, Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Ortega), work together to uncover the identity of the latest Ghostface killer(s).

Despite its unfortunate name, the movie titled Scream (why not 5cream??) is ranked third amongst the best movies in the franchise. It successfully brings back the gruesome and shockingly violent elements that the series is known for, while also effectively introducing new characters alongside familiar ones. Additionally, it is the only film, aside from the first, to create a genuine sense of life-or-death danger, where anyone could potentially die or be unmasked as the killer by the end of the film.

The addition of Ortega to the movie can be seen as a form of meta-winking. When she appeared in the cold open, a section of the film known for its intense violence and famous actors, it most likely left many viewers wondering about her identity. However, the movie reassures the audience by implying that they will soon become familiar with her. Ortega is the only character in the Scream franchise to survive the opening sequence, and she quickly becomes one of the most crucial characters in the series.

3. X (2022)

Top 10 Jenna Ortega Movies and TV Shows

The number 24 is represented as a24 in alphanumeric code.

Initiating A24's inaugural franchise, a team of aspiring performers and filmmakers, led by self-proclaimed "sex symbol" Maxine (Mia Goth) and reserved boom operator Lorraine (Ortega), embark on a project to shoot an adult film on a remote estate in the Texan countryside. However, complications arise when the elderly property owners, Howard (Stephen Ure) and Pearl (Goth, cleverly disguised to be unrecognizable), take issue with the explicit content of the low-budget film.

Ti West, known for his work on "House of the Devil" and "The Sacrament", truly found his professional groove with this sticky and meticulously crafted film that pays tribute to 70s exploitation movies. It cleverly both embraces and challenges the conventions of slasher films, featuring the consistently brilliant performance of Goth (who also starred in the sequel "Pearl" and will soon appear in "MaXXXine") and a standout, bold performance by Brittany Snow as the onscreen character Bobby-Lynne.

In this particular film, Ortega portrays Lorraine, who starts off as a timid character but delivers some of her most nuanced performance. For the first portion of the story, she remains on the outskirts before gradually taking on a complex character arc that is arguably the most captivating in the entire movie. We won't reveal any spoilers in case you have yet to watch X yourself.

2. Wednesday (2022-present)

'Wednesday' is a topic that Jenna Ortega has spoken about.

The streaming service Netflix has become increasingly popular in recent years.

At Nevermore Academy, Wednesday Addams (Ortega) is enrolled without her consent and becomes involved in a string of homicides, along with a puzzle that had perplexed her parents, Gomez (Luis Guzman) and Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), years ago.

Wednesday, directed by Tim Burton, was the ideal project for Ortega to showcase her acting skills after landing the role. It served as a reminder to viewers worldwide that she was capable of portraying more than just a scream queen, while also maintaining the dark and unsettling tone that her loyal genre fans had come to expect from her.

Ortega, at the core of the show, seamlessly navigates through each set piece with a technical and stylistic brilliance that rivals a young Winona Ryder, who, like Ortega, was guided by Burton. The show is a remarkable display of Ortega's range and confidence.

1. The Fallout (2022)

Following their shared experience of a devastating school shooting, Vada (Ortega) and Mia (Maddie Ziegler) form an unexpected connection. While Vada works to adjust to her home life, she delves into her friendship with Mia and finds comfort in Quinton (Niles Fitch), another survivor whose brother was a victim of the tragedy.

The intense drama by Megan Park showcases the best work of Ortega to date, a fully embodied performance that showcases all of her unique talents as an actress. The overall quality of Ortega's work in The Fallout is a great addition to the film. Park's movie is subtle and empathetic while also not shying away from the harsh reality. The gravity of the situation is never ignored, yet the film still maintains a light and airy feel (aided by its 92-minute length) and leans towards a sense of optimism. This is undoubtedly the first of many impressive films by Park, and it features one of Ortega's noteworthy early movie performances.