One of the most well-known and recognizable actresses of her generation, Cameron Diaz, kickstarted her big movie career at the age of 22. Since then, she has played in many hit movies and built a successful career in the movie industry. To honor her impressive resume, TechTrends decided to make a list of the best Cameron Diaz movies of All Time.
Following her debut movie alongside Jim Carrey in The Mask, for which she did not have any prior acting experience, she established herself as a successful actress. She sealed her place in some of the most iconic movies of the last few decades, making her one of the most in-demand actresses in the industry. Over the years, she featured in many different genres of movies, gaining a specialty in rom-com genre. At the moment, she is retired, and she does not regret her decision. However, she still impacted cinema undeniably. As one of the most beautiful women to have graced the cinema screen, Diaz has gained many fans, being a constant heartthrob for them over the years. Now, without further ado, let’s get down to the best must-see Cameron Diaz movies of all time.
Best Cameron Diaz Movies of All Time
Cameron Diaz gained considerable fame and acclaim in the 90s and beyond for her spectacular movies. However, she disappeared from the public in the last couple of years, with 2014 being the final year she acted in movies. Diaz is also praised for her knack for acting versatilely as she has a great variety of super hit films she appeared in. Here are the best Cameron Diaz films of all time. Remember that the list is in chronological order.
The Mask 1994
- Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
- Director: Chuck Russell
- Star: Cameron Diaz, Jim Carrey, Peter Greene, Peter Riegert, Amy Yasbeck
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 80%, IMDb 6.9
When Cameron Diaz was cast in The Mask, she was a working model who had no prior experience in action. However, she became the lead role alongside Jim Carrey. She portrays the role of a jazz singer who comes across Carrey’s character, who is a mild-mannered bank clerk. He then turns into a maniac superhero once he puts on the Mask. This movie put both of the leading characters on the map with their impressive performances in this action/comedy. The Mask is indeed one of the best Cameron Diaz movies of all time.
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My Best Friend’s Wedding 1997
- Genre: Romance/Rom-Com
- Director: J. Hogan
- Star: Cameron Diaz, Dermot Mulroney, Julia Roberts, Rupert Everett
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 73%, IMDb 6.3
Another one of Cameron Diaz’s greatest movie roles came in My Best Friend’s Wedding, where her star status was cemented. However, she had a supporting role in this movie that starred Julia Roberts. Winning the attention and loyalty of the audience playing opposite Roberts is quite a daunting task, as she was at the height of her career then, but Diaz did it masterfully. Roberts portrays the role of a woman whose college friend wants to marry Diaz, but Roberts wants to marry him herself and decides to break up the wedding. You don’t want to miss it as we strongly recommend this rom-com.
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There’s Something About Mary 1998
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Directors: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly
- Star: Cameron Diaz, Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, Chris Elliott, Lin Shaye
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 83%, IMDb 7.1
Being a master of rom-com, Cameron Diaz shone once again in There’s Something About Mary. She plays the role of the titular Mary, and she has a key role in making the movie hilarious and unforgettable. Multiple men are trying to persuade her, and Diaz gives a powerful performance, making this one of the funniest films of the 90s. There really is something about Mary that makes all neurotic men desire. For her performance, Diaz won the New York Film Critics Award as Best Actress and shocked many as comedy did not appear to be something of an award material. Moreover, she received a nomination for a Golden Globe award in the Comedy category. This is one of the best Cameron Diaz movies of all time. Make sure to add it to your watchlist.
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Being John Malkovich 1999
- Genre: Comedy/Fantasy
- Director: Spike Jonze
- Star: Cameron Diaz, John Malkovich, John Cusack, Catherine Keener, Charlie Kaufman
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 7.8
Diaz performed in a different role in 1999 when she starred in Being John Malkovich, directed by Spike Jonze. The story is totally original and has many surprises for the audience. The movie presents a satirical version of John Malkovich and puppeteers who show an inside peak into his mind. Diaz performs as John Cusack’s onscreen wife and discovers her identity inside Malkovich’s mind. For this role, Diaz got nominations for BAFTA and Golden Globe awards. Moreover, seeing her in a different role is refreshing and entertaining. Being John Malkovich is indeed one of the top and best Cameron Diaz movies of all time.
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Charlie’s Angels 2000
- Genre: Action/Comedy
- Director: McG
- Star: Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Bill Murray, Sam Rockwell
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 68%, IMDb 5.6
Cameron Diaz became even more successful when she played in the movie Charlie’s Angels in 2000. She played the role of Natalie, who was one of the three agents, with the other two being Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore. The three were fighting crimes undercover and gave a lot of female action, making the movie one of the most entertaining blockbusters of that year. The movie was based on 1970s television series, and Diaz went on to show how much talent she has in action movies. She could kick ass and take names. This is one of the best Cameron Diaz movies of all time that helped her international fame go further.
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Shrek 2001
- Genre: Fantasy/Comedy
- Directors: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson
- Star: Cameron Diaz, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 88%, IMDb 7.9
Cameron Diaz is part of one of the best animated movies of all time Shrek, in which she is the voice behind Princess Fiona. The movie was released in 2001, and other voice roles are from Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers. Shrek was a huge success and had many sequels over the years, with Diaz continuing to be the voice of the leading female character. The tale follows Shrek and his attempts to save Princess Fiona for a king and ask for what he wants in return. However, he falls in love with the princess. This animated movie has had both young and adult viewers and holds a special place in the history of cinema. This is yet another one of the best Cameron Diaz movies ever.
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Gangs of New York 2002
- Genre: Drama/Crime
- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Star: Cameron Diaz, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Liam Neeson
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 72%, IMDb 7.5
The next one of the best Cameron Diaz movies of all time is Gangs of New York. She collaborated with Martin Scorsese for this movie. Moreover, the story happened in the mid-1800s in Manhattan and crime lord William Cutting, also called Bill the Butcher runs the place. Leonardo DiCaprio saw his father being killed by Bill while he was a child. So, he kept the knife to utilize it for his revenge on his father’s death. Cameron plays the role of Jenny Everdeane, who is a con artist and a pickpocket. DiCaprio’s Amsterdam Vallon takes an interest in her. She wants to escape and go to San Francisco, and when she sees Amsterdam get hurt, she encourages him to join her.
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In Her Shoes 2005
- Genre: Drama/Romance
- Director: Curtis Hanson
- Star: Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette, Shirley MacLaine, Mark Feuerstein
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 74%, IMDb 6.5
Cameron Diaz worked with Oscar-winning Curtis Hanson in the movie In Her Shoes and had the role of Maggie. She was a dyslexic party girl who did not have a good relationship with her sister Rose, portrayed by Toni Collette. When Diaz worked with director Hanson, many knew this movie would be a success. The scene Diaz has where she reads at her sister’s wedding brings tears to many eyes, making this one of the best Cameron Diaz movies of all time.
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The Holiday 2006
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Director: Nancy Meyers
- Star: Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Eli Wallach
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 50%, IMDb 6.9
Appearing in another rom-com, Cameron Diaz performed well once again, yet the movie might not have done so well, with the critics giving it 50% on Rotten Tomatoes. She plays the role of Amanda Woods, who is obsessed with her work as LA director. Amanda gives up the Hollywood Hills for a tiny cottage in Surrey while Iris Simpkins moves into her manse. She then starts to have a romantic feeling for Iris’ brother, played by Jude Law. The Holiday is a Christmas movie and one of the best Cameron Diaz films ever.
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What Happened in Vegas 2008
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Director: Tom Vaughan
- Stars: Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Lake Bell, Rob Corddry, Jason Sudeikis, Zach Galifianakis
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 25%, IMDb 6.1
Cameron Diaz appears in yet another rom-com named What Happened in Vegas, where she plays the role of Joy McNally. When she goes on a wild vacation in Las Vegas with her friend after breaking up with her boyfriend, she comes across Jack Fuller, played by Ashton Kutcher. The two enjoy a wild night together and when they become sober, they realize that they got married. Aside from that, a huge jackpot is at stake. However, the judge freezes the prize money after they file for an annulment as he wants the couple to give it a chance and work with each other. It is hilarious and one of the best Cameron Diaz movies of all time.
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Knight and Day 2010
- Genre: Action/Comedy
- Director: James Mangold
- Stars: Cameron Diaz, Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Paul Dano, Maggie Grace, Peter Sarsgaard, Gal Gadot
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 52%, IMDb 6.3
One of the best Cameron Diaz movies of all time is Knight and Day. The movie is well-remembered for the leading characters, which were played by Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, with the two joining up again after a decade after they first worked together on Vanilla Sky. The story revolves around a disgraced spy, played by Cruise, who comes across a classic car restorer, portrayed by Diaz. He is caught up when trying to run away from the CIA. While many believed the movie was formulaic, the chemistry the two leading actors had was a highlight.
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Bad Teacher 2011
- Genre: Comedy/Romance
- Director: Jake Kasdan
- Stars: Cameron Diaz, Lucy Punch, Justin Timberlake, Jason Segel, Phyllis Smith
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 45%, IMDb 5.6
The title of the movie is self-explanatory, but Cameron Diaz’s role in the movie was different from her other one. She portrayed as Elizabeth Halsey, a lazy teacher who is trying to earn money to do a boob job. She smokes, hates students, takes naps at her desk, has massive hangovers, and wants to steal her colleague’s boyfriend. Elizabeth hates her job but only stays for the money. However, things take a turn after she starts competing with one of the teachers at the school. Diaz’s performance was spectacular as usual, but the movie was not well-received by the critics. Still, it is one of the best Cameron Diaz movies of all time.
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