Selena Gomez Movies & TV Shows: Disney Channel Star Turned Detective
by Explore Disney+ Contributor
June 5, 2026
Revisit every moment in her Disney history, from her beginnings on Wizards of Waverly Place to her current hit: Only Murders in the Building
Selena Gomez first captured audiences on Disney Channel as Alex Russo, the rule-bending teenage wizard. From there, she moved into movie roles that continued to showcase her talent, ultimately landing in her recent standout role as Mabel Mora in Only Murders in the Building. This chronological Watch Guide connects every chapter so you can build your Watchlist with throwbacks, favorites, and fresh picks.
Selena Gomez’s Early Disney Channel Era
Start here to explore the titles that introduced a generation to Alex Russo, Carter Mason, and the magical mishaps and unlikely friendships at Waverly Place.
Wizards of Waverly Place
What It’s About
Below the Russo family’s Greenwich Village sandwich shop, siblings Alex, Justin, and Max are wizards in training. Wizards of Waverly Place follows the family as everyday teen drama gets a supernatural upgrade, with one question looming: which of the Russo kids will keep their powers for good?
Selena Gomez As Alex Russo
Selena stars as Alex Russo, the rebellious middle child who loves using her powers to find shortcuts when facing a problem. Her confidence and perfectly timed comebacks made Alex an instant Disney Channel standout.
Add Wizards of Waverly Place to Watchlist
Princess Protection Program
What It’s About
Carter (Selena Gomez) is a small-town girl and total tomboy. She couldn't be more different from Rosalinda (Demi Lovato), a South American Princess from the country of Costa Luna. After Carter's father, an agent in the covert Princess Protection Program, rescues Rosalinda from a military takeover, the girls are thrown together as "cousins," and that's when the worlds of royalty and roughing it collide. In an unexpected role reversal, "Rosie" learns how to act like an everyday girl and Carter finds her own inner princess. Once they discover what they have in common, they prove that best friends really are forever. It's now up to the two friends to devise a plan to take down Costa Luna's dictator and return Rosalinda to her rule.
Selena Gomez As Carter Mason
Selena plays Carter Mason, a down-to-earth teen who isn’t exactly thrilled when palace problems land in her house. Carter’s sharp humor and eventual loyalty to her new friend help make her the perfect guide for a princess learning about life beyond the throne.
Add Princess Protection Program to Watchlist
Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie
What It’s About
The Russos think they can relax on a tropical vacation, until Alex accidentally casts a spell that threatens her family's existence. While Max tries to keep his parents together, Alex and Justin use every trick they know as they search for the Stone of Dreams, the only way to reverse the spell and save their family.
Add Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie to Watchlist
Evolution From Disney Channel Icon To Movie Star
After her Disney Channel breakout, Selena Gomez brought her charm to the big screen, showing a different side in a movie about a strong sisterly bond.
Ramona and Beezus
What It’s About
Ramona is a little girl with a very big imagination and a nose for mischief. Her playful antics keep everyone in her loving family on their toes, including her older sister Beezus, who's just trying to survive her first year of high school. Through all the ups and downs of childhood, Ramona and Beezus learn that anything’s possible when you believe in yourself and rely on each other.
Selena Gomez As Beezus Quimby
Selena plays Beezus, Ramona’s older sister, whose love holds steady even when Ramona tests her patience. It’s a sweet, grounded role for Gomez as a teen trying to keep her cool while her sister runs riot.
Add Ramona and Beezus to Watchlist
Selena Gomez’s Recent Roles On Disney+ & Hulu
Selena’s latest chapter includes a return to her wizard-world roots in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, and a lead role in the award-winning mystery-comedy show, Only Murders in the Building.
Only Murders in the Building, Hulu
What It’s About
Only Murders in the Building follows three strangers who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one as they investigate the mysterious death of a neighbor in their New York City apartment building. (Hulu)*
Dive deeper into the show with the Only Murders in the Building: Official Podcast and our Season 5 guide.
Selena Gomez as Mabel Mora
Selena Gomez stars as Mabel Mora, the cool, deadpan millennial who teams up with her older neighbors, Charles (Steve Martin) and Oliver (Martin Short), when a murder shakes up their apartment building (The Arconia) community. Mabel’s quick instincts and guarded disposition let Gomez bring her talents to a grown-up comedic role with plenty of depth.
Add Only Murders in the Building to Watchlist (login required) or learn more on Hulu.com
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
What The Revival Is About
Billie, a powerful young wizard at the center of a mysterious prophecy, is sent to live in the mortal world with the only wizard teacher who can help her control her powers, Justin Russo. This new chapter of the Russo family story highlights how Disney Channel favorites like Wizards of Waverly Place are growing for a new generation.
Selena Gomez’s Role In The Show
Selena guest stars as Alex Russo, who turns up at Justin’s door with Billie and a wizardly favor to ask. Gomez also executive produces, keeping Alex connected to the show while a new wizard-in-training gets her turn.
Add Wizards Beyond Waverly Place to Watchlist
Learn More About Selena Gomez
What was Selena Gomez’s first TV show or movie?
Selena’s first-ever screen role was Gianna on Barney & Friends in 2002.
What other Disney Channel shows did Selena Gomez appear in?
Outside of Wizards of Waverly Place, Selena appeared on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody as Cody’s girlfriend, Gwen and on Hannah Montana as Mikayla, Hannah’s pop-star rival. Did you know Hannah Montana celebrated its 20th Hannahversary in 2026?
When is Selena Gomez’s birthday?
She was born July 22, 1992.
What do fans like about her?
Fans connect with Selena Gomez for the dry humor she brought to Alex Russo and the cool confidence that defines Mabel Mora. For longtime viewers, she’s also part of Disney Channel nostalgia, making her throwback titles fun to revisit. Off-screen, fans also admire her openness about mental health and her advocacy through the Rare Impact Fund.
Has Selena Gomez won any awards?
Yes, Selena Gomez scored fan-voted awards for her Disney Channel work, including Kids’ Choice Awards for her role as Alex Russo on Wizards of Waverly Place. She also picked up industry honors outside of acting, including the 2016 American Music Award® for Favorite Female Artist.
Only Murders in the Building brought her more awards and attention in recent years, with Gomez winning the 2024 People’s Choice Award® for Female TV Star of the Year, and the Only Murders in the Building cast winning the 2025 SAG Award® for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
More Throwbacks On Disney+
Keep the Disney Channel nostalgia going with 2000s Disney Channel movies and shows and the Throwbacks Collection on Disney+ for your next rewatch.
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