Netflix hidden gem with Jennifer Aniston fans say is 'just perfect' (2025)

Jennifer Aniston and Danielle Macdonald star in the little-known Netflix coming of age comedy, Dumplin', and fans cannot praise their performances enough

Jennifer Aniston fans need to run, not walk, to watch a Netflix hidden gem film starring the Friends' legend.

Dumplin', which was released back in 2018 is a heartwarming coming of age drama, telling the story of Willowdean who is growing up in a small town in Texas. Not only is the film a heartwarming look at family life, it also pays homage to the Queen of Country Music herself, Dolly Parton.

Raised mainly by her aunt, Lucy, Will's mother, played by Jennifer Aniston, spends most of the her time organising beauty pageants in the town and is too busy to spend time with her daughter, who she calls Dumplin'.

Dealing with a tragedy of her own, the death of her aunt, Lucy, Will is devastated when her mother drops her off for her first day at school and her classmates hear her Dumplin' nickname, which they use to make fun of her. Will starts to argue with her best friend, a situation not helped by her increasingly difficult relationship with her mother.

When it was released by Netflix, Dumplin' and Aniston in particular won huge praise for her role.

Deadline said: "Fortunately it’s also got Aniston, a superior talent who takes what could have been a stereotyped small-town Texas mom and wraps all the character’s anxieties, ego, vulnerability and tough love into an appealing and often very funny portrayal. This would not have worked at all if it had been played with one note, but Aniston is way too smart to do that and creates an empathetic, well-meaning, if not always right parent who it is clear very much loves her kid."

Netflix fans are now discovering the movie all over again and can't get enough of the heartwarming story.

One critic on review website, Rotten Tomatoes, said: "Fat bodies aren’t something to have a take on or to surround with an edginess to justify centering them. Dumplin’ gets that and it’s refreshing."

Another added: "With the utterly charming Dumplin', director Anne Fletcher puts an affectionate spin on the traditional coming-of-age story by focusing on the importance of inner strength rather than the toxicity of external pressures."

While a third said: "It's only the incredibly strong and accomplished performances by Macdonald and Aniston that makes this a film that's truly worth your time."

Fans also love the feel-good movie with an important message at its heart.

One said: "Charming, heart-warming and surprisingly well acted, this dramedy offers lots of depth and laughs in a balanced way that both entertains and makes you reflect."

Another said: "Underrated comedy. With an outstanding performance by Danielle Macdonald. And some great comedic surprises."

While a third added: "This movie is really amazing it really speaks to me as a plus size person. I had to over come alot of obstacles, like insecurities, people making fun of me and a hold of the other thing. This movie was really inspiring I recommend everybody to watch it its a real movie that is full of motivation."

Dumplin' is streaming on Netflix now.