It's official: Cameron Diaz is coming out of retirement. The actress will star opposite Jamie Foxx in a new Netflix comedy, marking her return to film after an absence of nearly a decade. Fans know little about the project, but the prospect of having Diaz back is more than enough.
After all, Cameron Diaz is one of Hollywood's most beloved actresses. And while she became best-known for sappy romantic comedies in later years, she starred in many memorable and celebrated projects at the height of her career. Indeed, one glance at her Metacritic profile will reveal that Diaz was the star of many acclaimed movies.
The Mask (1994) - 56
Stream On HBO Max & Tubi
Directed by Chuck Russell and based on the Dark Horse comics of the same name, The Mask follows meek bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss who transforms into the Mask, a green-faced maniac and troublemaker. Jim Carrey stars in the title role, with Peter Riegert, Peter Greene, and Amy Yasbeck in supporting roles.
The Mask was Cameron Diaz's film debut, and it was instantly clear that she was a star. Her comedic timing was on point, and she was more than capable of keeping up with Carrey's antics, playing Tina with the perfect mix of allure and vulnerability. The Mask is one of Jim Carrey's best films, but it's also noteworthy for introducing Diaz to audiences.
Shrek The Third (2007) - 58
Stream On HBO Max
After two major triumphs, the Shrek franchise had something of a misstep with Shrek the Third. The plot follows Shrek trying to find a suitable replacement after he and Fiona become heirs to the throne of Far, Far Away. Meanwhile, Charming plots to overthrow them.
Unlike previous films in the series, Fiona takes on a much less prominent role in the third entry. Instead, the plot focuses almost entirely on Shrek, one of the most charming antiheroes from the early 2000s. Fiona's absence is noticeable because Cameron Diaz was crucial to the first film's success. Even though she usually played the straight woman to Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy's antics, Diaz's gift for comedy still came out, balancing the films and preventing them from going overboard.
Shrek Forever After (2010) - 58
Stream On Fubo
The fourth Shrek film, Shrek Forever After, centers on the titular ogre who, feeling dissatisfied with his life as a family man, makes a deal with the trickster Rumpelstiltskin. Seeing his life vanish before his eyes, Shrek must find a way to make things right for those he loves.
Like its predecessor, Shrek Forever After focuses almost entirely on Shrek. Despite that, Diaz's Fiona has more to do this time, and the story presents her as the leader of a rebel group opposing Rumpelstiltskin. Still, Diaz and the other cast members seem bored with their lines; it's good the series ended with Shrek Forever After, although the Shrek franchise could work as a TV series.
In Her Shoes (2005) - 60
Stream On Starz
Curtis Hanson's In Her Shoes follows a pair of sisters, Maggie and Rose, and their complicated relationship with each other and their grandmother. Cameron Diaz stars opposite Academy Award nominee Toni Colette and Academy Award winner Shirley MacLaine.
In Her Shoes is an insightful exploration of family dynamics. Maggie and Rose are complete opposites, and Colette and Diaz are perfectly cast in their respective roles. The film offers an emotional approach to its weighty themes without becoming overly sentimental or corny. In Her Shoes features one of Diaz's best performances, and, sadly, her work was overlooked during the 2006 awards season.
There's Something About Mary (1998) - 69
Stream On Hulu
The Farrelly Brothers made a huge splash with There's Something About Mary. Starring Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, and Matt Dillon, the film follows a group of men lying and manipulating their way into gaining the affection of the girl of their dreams, the titular Mary.
The Mask might've been Diaz's film debut, but There's Something About Mary was her breakthrough. Diaz is stellar in the role, displaying a natural talent for physical comedy that many actors would kill to have. There's Something About Mary is full of somewhat unlikable characters, making Diaz's Mary stand out even more. The film earned Diaz her first Golden Globe nomination and cemented her as a massive box office draw.
Gangs Of New York (2002) - 72
Stream On Starz
Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York is a ruthless exploration of revenge, generational trauma, and anger. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Amsterdam Valon, an Irish immigrant seeking revenge against his father's killer, the brutal Bill "The Butcher" Cutting. Diaz plays Jenny, a pickpocket who becomes Amsterdam's love interest.
It's hard to compete against the overpowering and scenery-chewing performance of Daniel Day-Lewis, but Diaz holds her own against him and the equally impressive DiCaprio. Her performance garnered mixed reviews, with many reviewers taking issue with her attempt at an Irish accent. Still, she impressed the Hollywood Foreign Press and received her fourth Golden Globe nomination.
Shrek 2 (2004) - 75
Stream On Freevee
In many ways, Shrek 2 is far superior to its predecessor. The plot centers on Shrek and Fiona traveling to the kingdom of Far Far Away to meet her parents. Things complicate when the scheming Fairy Godmother plots to separate Fiona from Shrek and pair her with the vapid Prince Charming.
The hilarious Shrek 2 is full of pop culture references and jokes. Jennifer Saunders' Fairy Godmother is the clear standout, almost walking away with the entire film, but the trio of Myers, Murphy, and Diaz still get some memorable and laugh-out-loud moments. Fiona is once again playing the straight woman to the chaos around her, but Diaz still manages to find the humor in the ogress' dire situation.
Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her (2000) - 76
Stream On Hoopla & Tubi
Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her is one of Cameron Diaz's most underrated films. It consists of five loosely interconnected stories focusing on family and love. Diaz plays a blind woman and stars opposite an ensemble cast that includes Glenn Close, Holly Hunter, Calista Flockhart, and Amy Brenneman.
Diaz's role is somewhat small, but she has a memorable scene near the film's end. Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her is a sweet and sometimes insightful exploration into the private lives of several women and the things they are afraid to express out loud. Hunter's performance stands out, and she even received an Emmy nomination for her work.
Shrek (2001) - 84
Stream On Freevee
The original Shrek was a revolutionary achievement in animation. Unique, daring, and laugh-out-loud hilarious, Shrek follows an angry and solitary ogre who teams up with a donkey to rescue a captive princess from a tower. Cameron Diaz voices Princess Fiona, opposite a voice cast that includes Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and John Cleese.
Cameron Diaz shines in the role of Fiona, capturing the princess' innocence but never downplaying her intelligence or abilities. It's a tough trick to pull, but Diaz conveys so much with her voice without forgetting the film's comedic aspect. Shrek remains a beloved classic, and Diaz's performance is a huge reason.
Being John Malkovich (1999) - 90
Rent On Apple TV
Spike Jonze's mind-bending and thought-provoking sci-fi Being John Malkovich took the world by storm when it premiered in the fall of 1999. The film follows a lonely puppeteer that discovers a door into John Malkovich's subconscious and begins to profit from it. Cameron Diaz stars opposite John Cusack and Catherine Keener, with John Malkovich playing himself.
It wouldn't be an overstatement to say Cameron Diaz gives the best performance of her career in Being John Malkovich. As Lotte, she is vulnerable, raw, sympathetic, and layered, delivering an intricate performance that remains compelling and relatable even as the film descends into chaos during the last act. Diaz has never been better, and her snub from the Oscars still stings.