Cameron Diaz's 15 Best Movies, Ranked

Cameron Diaz is a fabulously talented actress with a variety of incredible films under her belt in her long career. Diaz's performance begins with Jim Carrey's hilarious film The maskmaking his debut at just 21 years oldbut in recent years she is best known for her performance in Will Gluck's remake of Annie. Although she has retired from the screen before, she is still remembered and is an actress that many audiences expected to return. Since her start in the 90s, Cameron Diaz's net worth has skyrocketed with her most memorable roles.

Fortunately, Cameron Diaz's return to film is finally happening. The actress is set to star opposite Keanu Reeves in the Apple TV show Resultand she is once again lending her voice to Princess Fiona in the fifth edition of Shrek franchise. Although Diaz is generally prominent in romantic comedy films, Some of her best projects show her taking on more dramatic and in-depth characters. Cameron Diaz has a lot of amazing movies, but some are better than others.

15

Very Bad Things (1998)

Role: Laura Garrety

When it comes to dark comedies, it's hard to get much darker than Very bad things. The film stars Jon Favreau as a man who is preparing to marry his handsome but demanding fiancé (Cameron Diaz), but first heads to Las Vegas with his friends for a wild bachelor party. However, when the party ends with an accidental death, the friends are faced with the need to cover up the crime, which only causes more and more bodies to accumulate.

Very bad things It won't be for everyone, as it's dark and horrific to the point of overshadowing the comedic aspects. However, Diaz's performance is the highlight of the film, as she leans into the absurdity and callousness of these charactersdelivering the funniest moments in history.

14

Any Given Sunday (1999)

Role: Cristina Pagniacci

Oliver Stone has tackled a number of big themes in his films, from the conspiracies of presidents to the Vietnam War and the greed of Wall Street. The acclaimed director entered the sports scene for the first time in Any Sundaylooking at the high-stakes world of professional football. The film stars Al Pacino as the coach of a fictional NFL team who has to deal with a variety of pressures on his job, including an aging quarterback, an arrogant new star and a demanding new owner, played by Cameron Diaz.

The film is a chaotic and immersive immersion into this world, with Stone's penchant for cinematic flair throughout the project. Pacino leads an incredible cast that also includes Jamie Foxx, Dennis Quaid and Aaron Eckhart. However, Diaz really stands out, facing off against Pacino in several scenes like this bold woman who is ready to show everyone that she will carry this team into the future.

13

In Her Place (2005)

Role: Maggie

Among some of Cameron Diaz's biggest and flashiest films, In her place is an intimate gem that ranks among her best performances. The film focuses on the relationship between two adult sisters, played by Diaz and Toni Collette, who have very different personalities. Although their relationship is destroyed thanks to a cruel betrayal by Diaz, they are forced back together when they learn about a grandmother (Shirley MacLaine) they never knew existed.

The film is a showcase of three incredible actors, with each of the women creating strong, nuanced characters to play off one another. Diaz is wonderful as the flawed but vulnerable Maggiemaking his arc in the film one of the most effective. It's a story that seems quite ordinary, but gradually comes to a completely satisfying end.

12

Knight and Day (2010)

Role: June Havens

The combination of Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz in an action film directed by James Mangold should have been an obvious success, but Knight and Day It was something of a box office and critical disappointment. However, years after the fact, many more people are finally checking out the film and seeing it as a truly underrated gem. Diaz stars as a woman who becomes embroiled in the misadventures of a disgraced spy (Cruise) who is trying to clear his name..

Cruise and Diaz combine their action movie star power with Mangold's expert genre direction to deliver truly entertaining sequences. However, the real treat of the film is the comedic aspect, with Cruise delivering one of his funniest performances as the unhinged hero, while Diaz brings his usually comedic timing to the large role of his foil. Their chemistry makes it a shame they didn't make more films together.

11

Gangs of New York (2002)

Role: Jenny Everdeane

While Cameron Diaz has worked with some great directors in her career, collaborating with Martin Scorsese on one of his most ambitious projects is a sure highlight. New York gangs is an epic historical drama that looks at the brutal early days of New York City and the gangs that clashed on the city's streets. The story follows Leonardo DiCaprio as an Irish immigrant seeking revenge against the mob boss (Daniel Day-Lewis) who killed his father years ago. Diaz plays a woman caught between the two men.

Diaz gives a great performance in the film, winning a Golden Globe for her work. However, she is just one aspect of the impressive overall film, marking the first collaboration between DiCaprio and Scorsese, as well as featuring a towering performance from Day-Lewis. Scorsese paints a fascinating and wild portrait of American history without shying away from the ugliness of it all.

10

What Happens in Vegas (2008)

Role: Joy McNally

What happens in Las Vegas It's not one of the best romantic comedies of all time, but it's very memorable. Diaz stars as Joy McNally, a woman who meets Ashton Kutcher's Jack Fuller Jr. in Las Vegas and drunkenly marries him. However, when Jack wins a huge fortune on a slot machine, for which Joy provides the money, they try to force their marriage to work for six months to keep half the winnings each. Kutcher and Diaz's chemistry is excellent, and they both brilliantly demonstrate the constant bickering and underlying tension between their characters.

What happens in Las Vegas is from the early days of Ashton Kutcher's career, but it's not his first film in which he plays a struggling fiancé, having appeared in 2003 Just Marriedand this is evident in his relationship with Diaz. While critics evaluate What happens in Las Vegas are not the best, Diaz still stands out. Joy is quite unlikeable when she is first introduced, but her later growth makes her easy to root for. Portraying Joy proves that Diaz can take on any type of character easily, even if the film's story doesn't do it any favors.

9

My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)

Role: Kimmy Wallace

My best friend's wedding is a classic title in which Diaz stars as Kimmy Wallace, the fiancée of Julia Roberts' closest companion Jules Potter. Unbeknownst to Kimmy, Jules realizes she is in love with her best friend, Dermot Mulroney's Michael O'Neal, and plans to capture his heart. Kimmy is a fascinating character for Diaz, who is often cast as the romantic lead.

However, its supporting role My best friend's wedding it's what established her in the world of Hollywood cinema, and her multiple awards and nominations for Kimmy prove it. While Diaz shouldn't be the main focus, she's still a scene-stealer. Kimmy is enthusiastic and quite sweet, which makes her unique compared to other romantic comedy characters who serve as a romantic obstacle.

Kimmy's weirdest moments allow Diaz to show off her comedic talents, however, like her painfully tone-deaf performance at the karaoke bar and her final speech to Jules in the film's climax. General, My best friend's wedding is a prime example of Diaz's ability to naturally grab attention, even when she's not the protagonist.

8

Charlie's Angels (2000)

Role: Natalie Cook

Diaz plays Natalie Cook in Charlie's Angels 2000s films, a sequel to the hit 1970s TV show. She stars in the 2000 title as well as the 2003 sequel. Charlie's Angels: Full steam aheadalongside Drew Barrymore as Dylan Sanders and Lucy Liu as Alex Munday. Diaz, Barrymore and Liu stand out as the Angels, and the trio bring the action-packed world of Charlie's Angels to life beautifully. There is much discussion about whether Elizabeth Banks Charlie's Angels is better than the 2000 film, but Natalie as a character confirms that Diaz's version is superior.

Although all three are prominent figures throughout the film, Natalie's characterization is the best. Diaz's fight scenes in Charlie's Angels are spectacular and their wild acrobatics are incredibly memorable. Natalie is also a badassbut she approaches everything with a cheerful attitude and a solid sense of humor, which proves that she is someone not to be messed with. Diaz is not known for being an action star, but in Charlie's AngelsIt's easy to forget that she isn't.

7

The Masquerade (1994)

Role: Tina Carlyle

The mask is a notable title from Jim Carrey's best films, in which Diaz plays Tina Carlyle, who falls in love with Jim Carrey's Stanley Ipkiss despite being in a relationship with Peter Greene's Dorian Tyrell. The blonde bombshell is a crucial character in The maskand she is a character with many layers. Lounge singer Tina is full of sass and confidence, but also has a sweet side. She even likes Stanley as himself, without the mask. She catches Stanley's attention immediately after he sees her for the first time, and Diaz embraces the role of protagonist perfectly.

What's so interesting about Diaz in The mask is that she has no acting experience and is only 21 years old. His casting in the film is surprising, and his lack of previous performances causes his career to advance in The mask even more impressive. Tina is a great and compelling character from her first scene. She is intriguing and addictive to watch, and many of The maskThe funniest quotes from are directed at her. Diaz's interactions with Carrey and Greene are also incredible, and she holds her own against two industry titans.

6

The Holiday (2006)

Role: Amanda Woods

The holiday is one of the best Christmas movies of all time, and much of the film's success is due to Diaz. The actress plays Amanda Woods, a young woman who flees to the English countryside after she discovers that her boyfriend is cheating on her. As she tries to enjoy her painful vacation, Amanda unexpectedly meets and falls in love with Jude Law's Graham.

The chemistry between Law and Diaz is absolutely spectacular, and their twisted love story is even more believable because of their performances. While Jack Black and Kate Winslet's storytelling is good, Diaz's performance proves that the U.K. storyline in The holiday it is better.

Amanda's experiences in England are hilarious and provide some of the film's funniest moments, like her driving on the wrong side of the road or dancing drunk. Between the laughs, however, the development of her relationship with Graham is captivating and very romantic, which highlights Diaz's versatility as a dramatic and comedic actress.

5

Shrek (2001)

Role: Princess Fiona

One of Diaz's best-known roles is that of Princess Fiona in all Shrek film, the first being the 2001 release, which introduces audiences to the world of fairy tales far from the norm. Fiona is also Diaz's most significant voice acting role and although she can't show off her skills with facial expressions or body language, she is still prominent.

Diaz is a breath of fresh air as Fiona, and the actress does a fabulous job voicing herwhich is very different from the ordinary princess. Diaz's comedic timing is fantastic and she isn't afraid to accept Fiona's flaws in her performance. She continues to demonstrate this in other installments of the franchise as well.

Fiona's character consistently grows and improves with each film, and she effortlessly faces life-changing events such as her father's death and becoming a mother. Diaz is set to reprise her role as Princess Fiona in the next Shrek 5which is scheduled to hit theaters on July 1, 2026, and audiences are eager to see what happens next to her and the titular character.

4

Vanilla Heaven (2001)

Role: Julianna “Julie” Gianni

Diaz only has a small role in Vanilla Heavenbut it's still one that keeps the actress in viewers' minds. The actress plays Julie Gianni, the lover of Tom Cruise's David Aames.who is desperate to keep their relationship strong. Vanilla Heaven jumps between dreams and reality, and Julie's jealousy and car accident are what sets these events in motion. Even though Diaz isn't the main character, she still has several important moments. Julie dies twice in Vanilla Heavenonce by suicide and again when David suffocates her, and Diaz's performances in these scenes are stellar.

What's most impressive about Diaz's limited role in Vanilla Heaven it's the award nominations she got for it. It initially comes as a surprise that Diaz is nominated for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild, but upon seeing her performance, it makes a lot of sense. Julie's intense demeanor dominates the screen, which is only possible because of Diaz's terrifying yet emotional portrayal. Vanilla Heaven is a fascinating title in Diaz's filmography, but it highlights her strengths as an actress and that she is unstoppable in any role, big or small.

3

My Sister's Keeper (2009)

Role: Sara Fitzgerald

My Sister's Guardian is deeply profound and is a sad film that is sure to make anyone cry. Diaz plays Sara Fitzgerald in the film, the mother of Sofia Vassilieva's Kate, a teenager who dies slowly and painfully from acute promyelocytic leukemia. Sara is a complicated character who allows Diaz to give one of her best performances ever, and the struggles she faces in trying to keep her family together are surprising. My Sister's Guardian presents a compelling ethical debate about euthanasia and savior siblings, and Sara's heartbreaking attempts to keep Kate alive contribute to this.

Diaz establishes herself as a powerful dramatic actress in My Sister's Guardian. She's fantastic in the film's most intense scenes, like when her youngest daughter, Abigail Breslin's Anna, hires a lawyer in hopes of emancipating herself and stopping providing medical care to Kate. Sara discovering that Kate wants to die is by far the most impactful moment in the film, and Diaz is often celebrated for her acting in this scene. My Sister's Guardian is a notable title in Diaz's career because it's not a romantic comedy and it's very serious, but she still shines.

2

There's Something About Mary (1998)

Role: Mary Jensen

Diaz's first Golden Globe nomination comes from his performance as the titular character in There's something about Mary. Diaz's portrayal of Mary Jensen, a young woman who receives a ridiculous amount of attention from four men who just won't leave her alone, it's just incredible. It's hard not to feel sorry for Mary, who is just looking for a nice guy and a calm, stable relationship.

The boys' constant attempts to win her affection result in some of the weirdest moments in '90s sitcoms, but Mary's patience and perseverance are admirable. However, Mary also has her own awkward moments. There's something about MaryThe famous hair gel scene is brilliantly funny and shows Diaz at his most comical.

Her relationship with Ben Stiller's Ted Stroehmann is also very strong and Examining Mary through Ted's passionate point of view makes Diaz look even better. There's something about Mary 2 never happened, unfortunately, but if there's any character viewers hope to see Diaz bring back to the screen, it's Mary Jensen.

1

Being John Malkovich (1999)

Role: Lotte Schwartz

Being John Malkovich is the crown jewel in Cameron Diaz's filmography. The mysterious and mind-bending sci-fi film is a wild and innovative title in the genre, and Diaz's performance as Lotte Schwartz attributes that. Lotte is the long-suffering wife of John Cusack's Craig, and Diaz is completely unrecognizable in this role, both in physical appearance and personality.

Diaz swaps her usual blonde hair for tousled brown locks, and Lotte's raw vulnerability is nothing short of perfect. Being John Malkovich is Diaz's most celebrated film, earning two nominations for Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globes and BAFTA.

However, considering her surprising performance as a pet-obsessed woman, she deserves better. Some of Diaz's best scenes in Being John Malkovich These are when she is consumed by the titular character, which makes her performance doubly complex, as she plays two people at the same time. This is still absurd Cameron Diaz She is not nominated for an Oscar for this film, but it remains her best play in her established career.