Real Women Have Curves received positive reviews for its theme of body positivity, its realistic portrayal of a Mexican-American family and its acting. The film received an 85% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 118 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The site's consensus reads, "Real Women Have Curves, physical as well as emotional -- and this coming-of-age story traces them in a vividly warm-hearted look at the Mexican-American experience." On Metacritic, the film holds a score of 71/100 based on 28 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
