From “There’s Something About Mary” to “The Sweetest Thing,” the multitalented actor Cameron Diaz makes her triumphant return to acting with Netflix’s action-comedy “Back in Action” alongside Jamie Foxx, with a remarkable array of memorable performances.
To celebrate her remarkable career, Variety ranks her illustrious career and 10 best film performances.
Diaz made a dazzling debut as Tina Carlyle, the sultry love interest of Jim Carrey, in the blockbuster “The Mask” (1994). Her performance as the nightclub singer turned heads and showcased her innate star power. Her infectious laughter and vivacious energy quickly established herself as a box-office sensation.
Following the success of “The Mask,” Diaz solidified her reputation with a series of critically acclaimed roles. Her breakout moment came in “There’s Something About Mary” (1998), a Farrelly Brothers comedy that defined an era. As Mary Jensen, a charming and hilarious object of affection for Ben Stiller and Matt Dillon, Diaz established herself as a comedic genius, highlighted by the iconic “hair gel” scene, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for best actress (comedy or musical).
Diaz’s versatility as an actress became increasingly evident as she ventured into more daring and unconventional roles. In “Being John Malkovich” (1999), directed by Spike Jonze, she transformed into Lotte Schwartz, a frumpy and neurotic character whose complexity captivated audiences. Her performance earned nods from the BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and SAG Awards, although she narrowly missed an Oscar nod.
In “Vanilla Sky” (2001), Diaz took on the challenging role of Julie Gianni, a romantically obsessed and deeply unhinged woman who falls for Tom Cruise. Directed by Cameron Crowe, the film polarized critics, but Diaz’s haunting performance drew widespread acclaim with nods again from the Globes and SAG Awards before getting overlooked by the Academy.
However, Diaz’s career wasn’t solely defined by awards. She brought charm and comedic flair to “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997) as Kimberly Wallace, the sweet and naïve fiancée of Dermot Mulroney’s character, and holding her own against Julia Roberts. She also shined as Natalie, the quirky and endearing mens-underwear dancing detective in “Charlie’s Angels” (2000) and its sequel. Additionally, her voice work as Princess Fiona in the “Shrek” franchise showcased her ability to bring warmth and humor to animated characters, which she’s set to reprise again for the upcoming 2026 fifth installment.
Diaz has consistently expressed contentment with her decision to leave the industry, focusing on her personal life and entrepreneurial ventures. Yet, fans hoped for a triumphant return to the big screen, believing one more iconic role may be waiting for her. That wish seems to have been granted, and hopefully, more auteurs will offer her dynamic and challenging roles that display the root of her talents.
In honor of Diaz’s time in the spotlight, her ranked performances are down below:
Honorable mentions: “Very Bad Things” (1998); “Gangs of New York” (2002); “My Sister’s Keeper” (2009)
-
‘The Holiday’ (2006)
Image Credit: ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Amanda Woods
Distributed by: Sony Pictures
Directed by: Nancy Meyers
Written by: Nancy MeyersThe feel-good romantic comedy “The Holiday” is a modern Christmas classic, featuring Diaz as Amanda, a high-strung movie trailer editor who swaps homes with Kate Winslet’s Iris. As Amanda adjusts to life in a picturesque English cottage, she finds unexpected love with Jude Law’s widowed father. Diaz brings warmth and relatability that has made “The Holiday” the coziest and most heartwarming watch every single year.
-
‘Any Given Sunday’ (2000)
Image Credit: ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Christina Pagniacci
Distributed by: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Oliver Stone
Written by: Oliver Stone, John LoganIn Oliver Stone’s gritty sports drama “Any Given Sunday,” Diaz takes on the role of Christina Pagniacci, the ambitious and cutthroat owner of a professional football team. Her power struggles with the team’s aging coach (played by Al Pacino), and relentless determination to modernize the sport showcases a different side of Diaz in the popcorn-friendly flick— a strong outing sitting next to many of Hollywood’s heavyweights.
-
Shrek (2001)
Image Credit: ©DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Princess Fiona
Distributed by: DreamWorks Animation
Directed by: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson
Written by: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, Roger S.H. Schulman (based on “Shrek!” by William Steig)Voice acting is often overlooked, but Diaz’s spirited performance as Princess Fiona in “Shrek” proves how impactful it can be. She holds her own alongside Mike Myers’s boisterous Shrek and Eddie Murphy’s scene-stealing Donkey, infusing Fiona with wit, vulnerability and fierce independence. Diaz seamlessly navigates the character’s duality — a poised princess by day, a self-assured ogress by night — making her transformation both heartfelt and humorous. The film earned an Academy Award for animated feature, but Fiona’s empowering story arc deserves its share of applause.
-
‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ (1997)
Role: Kimberly “Kimmy” Wallace
Distributed by: Sony Pictures
Directed by: P.J. Hogan
Written by: Ronald BassIn a film dominated by Julia Roberts’s charm and Rupert Everett’s show-stealing quips, Diaz still leaves her mark as Kimmy Wallace, the bubbly, hopelessly-in-love fiancée of Dermot Mulroney’s Michael. Diaz’s comedic chops shine in the now-iconic karaoke scene, where Kimmy’s off-key rendition of “I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself” turns from cringe-worthy to endearing in a matter of moments. Diaz brings warmth and sincerity to a role that could have easily felt one-dimensional.
-
‘The Counselor’ (2013)
Role: Malkina
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios)
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Written by: Cormac McCarthyRidley Scott’s “The Counselor” is a dark and divisive thriller. Still, Diaz’s performance as Malkina, a cunning femme fatale with a dangerous edge, stands out as one of its most memorable elements. Her chilling monologue and the infamous “windshield scene” are delivered with a hypnotic intensity, making it impossible to look away.
-
‘The Sweetest Thing’ (2002)
Role: Christina Walters
Distributed by: Sony Pictures
Directed by: Roger Kumble
Written by: Nancy PimentalDiaz embraced her inner goofball in the raunchy, cult-favorite comedy “The Sweetest Thing,” playing Christina Walters, a single woman navigating the unpredictable world of modern dating. Joined by co-stars Christina Applegate and Selma Blair, Diaz delivers laugh-out-loud moments, from musical numbers about misleading men (“The Penis Song”) to slapstick gags that cement the film’s over-the-top charm. While panned by critics at the time, “The Sweetest Thing” has since found a devoted fan base that still clamors for a sequel.
-
‘The Mask’ (1994)
Image Credit: ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Tina Carlyle
Distributed by: New Line Cinema
Directed by: Chuck Russell
Written by: Mike Werb, Michael Fallon, Mark VerheidenAs Tina Carlyle in the zany superhero comedy “The Mask,” Diaz dazzled in her feature film debut. Opposite Jim Carrey’s rubber-faced antics, Diaz brought old-Hollywood glamour to the role of the nightclub singer caught between Carrey’s loveable Stanley Ipkiss and Peter Greene’s menacing villain, Tyrell. Her magnetic presence — particularly in the unforgettable dance sequence set to “Hey! Pachuco!” — established her as a breakout star overnight.
-
‘In Her Shoes’ (2005)
Role: Maggie Feller
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios)
Directed by: Curtis Hanson
Written by: Susannah Grant (based on “In Her Shoes” by Jennifer Weiner)When Cameron Diaz teamed up with Oscar-winning director Curtis Hanson for “In Her Shoes,” for the role of Maggie Feller, a dyslexic, free-spirited party girl with a complicated relationship with her responsible, buttoned-up sister, Rose (played beautifully by Toni Collette), the actress shined so brightly. She shows depth in this poignant dramedy, especially in the final wedding scene where Maggie reads a poem to her sister — a tear-jerking moment long after the credits roll. While her co-stars, including Shirley MacLaine as their sharp-witted grandmother, received more critical attention, Diaz reminds us there’s much more to her talent than simply comedy — an underutilized dramatic actress in the Hollywood business.
-
‘Charlie’s Angels’ (2000)
Image Credit: ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Natalie Cook
Distributed by: Sony Pictures
Directed by: McG
Written by: Ryan Rowe, Ed Solomon and John August (based on Charlie’s Angels by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts)As part of the butt-kicking trio in “Charlie’s Angels,” Diaz delivered an energetic and endearing performance as Natalie Cook, a sunny, slightly awkward action hero with long legs and killer moves. Whether she’s roundhouse-kicking villains, shimmying to “Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel,” or bonding with her fellow Angels (Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu), Diaz injects the role with infectious enthusiasm. Paired with the film’s glossy, high-octane visuals, Diaz’s performance helped reimagine the iconic TV series for a new generation.
-
‘Being John Malkovich’ (1999)
Image Credit: ©USA Films/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Lotte Schwartz
Distributed by: USA Films
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Written by: Charlie KaufmanDiaz underwent a stunning transformation as Lotte Schwartz, a frumpy, animal-loving wife who discovers a portal in John Malkovich’s mind. In Spike Jonze’s surreal masterpiece, She dives headfirst into the film’s bizarre premise, bringing humor and pathos to a character grappling with identity and desire. Sharing the screen with John Cusack and Catherine Keener, Diaz holds her own, delivering one of the most daring performances of her career. Despite earning Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA noms, Diaz’s Oscar snub for this unforgettable role remains one of the Academy’s most egregious oversights.
-
‘Vanilla Sky’ (2001)
Image Credit: ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Julianna Gianni
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Directed by: Cameron Crowe
Written by: Cameron Crowe (based on Abre los Ojos by Alejandro Amenábar and Mateo Gil)In Cameron Crowe’s haunting sci-fi drama “Vanilla Sky,” Diaz gives it her all in her chilling and terrifying performance as Julianna Gianni, the jilted lover whose jealousy sets the film’s tragic events into motion. Despite limited screen time, Diaz makes a lasting impression with her devastating portrayal of heartbreak and obsession. Her fiery car confrontation with Tom Cruise’s David, followed by a shocking turn of events, solidified her as a force to be reckoned with in dramatic roles. Again, Globe and SAG found her worthy of recognition, but the Academy passed her over.
-
‘There’s Something About Mary’ (1998)
Image Credit: ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Mary Jensen
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios)
Directed by: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly
Written by: Ed Decter, John J. Strauss, Peter Farrelly, Bobby FarrellyAs the titular Mary in the Farrelly Brothers’ raunchy rom-com “There’s Something About Mary,” Diaz became the quintessential girl-next-door with a hilarious twist. Whether handling outrageous situations (who could forget the infamous “hair gel” scene?) or delivering heartfelt moments with co-stars Ben Stiller and Matt Dillon, Diaz strikes the perfect balance of charm and comedic timing. Her chemistry with the supporting cast, most notably Lin Shaye’s eccentric Magda and Lee Evans’ fake-disabled Tucker, elevates this laugh-out-loud comedy into a bona fide classic.