From Scream Queen To Holiday Cheer: The 7 Must-Watch Jennifer Love Hewitt Movies, Including Her 2025 Blockbuster Return

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Jennifer Love Hewitt's filmography is a fascinating journey through 90s teen horror, early 2000s romantic comedies, and recent holiday-themed productions, culminating in one of the most anticipated horror sequels of the decade. As of December 20, 2025, the biggest news for fans is her definitive return to the cinematic universe that launched her to global stardom, confirming that the actress is not only busy with her television career but is also prioritizing major film projects once again.

This comprehensive guide details the essential movies that define her career, from her breakout roles that cemented her status as a pop culture icon to the freshest and most current projects set for release in late 2024 and 2025, proving her enduring star power across genres and decades.

Jennifer Love Hewitt: A Quick Biography and Core Filmography

Born in Waco, Texas, Jennifer Love Hewitt began her career as a child actress and singer, quickly transitioning from television to the big screen. Her ability to blend vulnerability with a strong screen presence has made her a perennial favorite. Her career is marked by a mix of box office hits, cult classics, and successful television ventures, demonstrating a versatile and enduring talent in Hollywood. She has also served as a producer and director on several of her projects.

  • Full Name: Jennifer Love Hewitt
  • Born: February 21, 1979 (Waco, Texas, U.S.)
  • Occupation: Actress, Producer, Director, Singer
  • Spouse: Brian Hallisay (m. 2013)
  • Breakout Role (TV): Sarah Reeves Merrin in Party of Five (1995–1999)
  • Breakout Role (Film): Julie James in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
  • Notable Film Credits (Selected):
    • Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
    • I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
    • Can't Hardly Wait (1998)
    • I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
    • Heartbreakers (2001)
    • The Tuxedo (2002)
    • If Only (2004)
    • Garfield: The Movie (2004)
    • Pups Alone (2021)
    • I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)
  • Notable TV Series: Party of Five, Ghost Whisperer, The Client List, Criminal Minds, 9-1-1

The Highly Anticipated Cinematic Return: I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)

The most significant and current news in Jennifer Love Hewitt’s film career is her official return to the horror genre that defined the late 1990s. The new, untitled installment of the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise is set for release on July 18, 2025, and will see her reprise her role as the original "Scream Queen," Julie James.

What We Know About the 2025 Sequel

This new movie is being described as a "legacy sequel," similar to the approach taken by recent horror revivals.

  • The Plot: The story takes place 27 years after the events of the second film, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. The new film focuses on a fresh group of five friends who inadvertently cause a deadly accident, covering up their involvement and making a pact to keep the dark secret. This setup mirrors the premise of the original 1997 classic.
  • The Return of Julie James: Jennifer Love Hewitt's character, Julie James, will be an integral part of the narrative, connecting the original terrifying events to the new generation of victims. She will be joined by her original co-star, Freddie Prinze Jr., who is also returning as Ray Bronson.
  • The Fresh Angle: The new cast includes rising stars like Chase Sui Wonders and Madelyn Cline, ensuring the film appeals to both nostalgic fans and a new, younger audience drawn to the slasher revival. Hewitt's involvement was conditional on her receiving a substantial role, suggesting her appearance will be more than a mere cameo.

This project is a major pivot back to the big screen for Hewitt, whose work has been primarily focused on the successful television series 9-1-1 in recent years, where she plays the dispatcher Maddie Buckley.

Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Most Recent and Upcoming 2024 Film Project

While the 2025 sequel is the blockbuster news, Jennifer Love Hewitt has a much more immediate film project that showcases her versatility and directorial skills: the Lifetime Christmas movie, The Holiday Junkie.

The Holiday Junkie (2024)

Released on Saturday, December 14, 2024, this movie is a perfect example of the actress embracing the popular holiday film genre.

  • Behind the Scenes: Hewitt not only stars in the movie but also serves as the director and executive producer, demonstrating her growing interest in creative control behind the camera.
  • Co-Star Connection: The film also stars her real-life husband, Brian Hallisay, marking a professional reunion for the couple who have also worked together on 9-1-1.
  • The Plot: Hewitt plays Andie, who runs a popular holiday decorating and planning service called "The Holiday Junkie" with her mother, Mimi. The film centers on Andie navigating her first Christmas without her mother, a poignant and relatable holiday theme. This project highlights a softer, more emotional side of her acting compared to her intense work as a 9-1-1 dispatcher or a slasher victim.

Essential Jennifer Love Hewitt Movies That Defined a Generation

To truly appreciate the significance of her 2025 return, it is essential to revisit the movies that made Jennifer Love Hewitt a household name. These films are considered cultural touchstones of the late 90s and early 2000s, establishing her as a multifaceted star who could lead a horror film, a teen comedy, and a rom-com with equal success.

1. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

This film is arguably her most iconic cinematic role. Released at the height of the 90s slasher revival, it was a box office success that made her the definitive scream queen of her era. The movie, which co-starred Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Ryan Phillippe, is a tense, stylish horror thriller that solidified her place in pop culture history.

2. Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

Transitioning immediately from horror to high school comedy, Hewitt starred as Amanda Beckett, the object of affection for the entire student body, in this cult-favorite teen movie. Her performance is considered one of the most memorable in the genre, showcasing her ability to play the effortlessly popular yet deeply thoughtful high school queen.

3. Heartbreakers (2001)

This sophisticated comedy paired Hewitt with screen legend Sigourney Weaver as a mother-daughter con artist duo. Hewitt played Page Conners, a cunning and charming manipulator, proving her comedic timing and chemistry with a veteran cast. It was a commercial success that allowed her to move beyond teen roles and into more adult-oriented comedies.

4. If Only (2004)

Often cited by fans as one of her best dramatic performances, If Only is a romantic fantasy drama that explores themes of fate, regret, and second chances. Hewitt plays Samantha Andrews, a musician whose sudden death prompts her boyfriend to relive their last day together. The film is a poignant tearjerker that demonstrated her depth as a dramatic actress.

From the suspense of running from the hook-wielding killer in the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise to the heartwarming holiday spirit of The Holiday Junkie, Jennifer Love Hewitt continues to surprise and engage audiences. Her 2025 return to her most famous role is a powerful statement about her enduring legacy and a must-watch event for fans of 90s cinema and modern horror. Her ability to balance major television commitments with high-profile film projects ensures that her place in Hollywood remains secure.

movie with jennifer love hewitt
movie with jennifer love hewitt

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