Cameron Diaz has been blessed with many movies that have been successful at the box office. Whether it’s the Farrelly brothers’ There’s Something About Mary or the Shrek series, she has been a staple in some of Hollywood’s best films.
What’s a list of top Cameron Diaz movies without Charlie’s Angels? She’s a force to be reckoned with alongside Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu in this rom-com.
1. The Mask
The Mask helped firmly establish Jim Carrey as one of Hollywood’s buzziest comedic performers, and it also helped launch Cameron Diaz to A-list fame. The film features an eye-popping debut from Diaz as Tina, a hapless bank clerk who captures the attention of Stanley Ipkiss (Carrey) both in and out of his “Mask” persona. Although she can sometimes come off as annoying (as seen in her roles in films like My Sister’s Keeper), Cameron Diaz is a natural here, and her chemistry with Carrey is palpable.
This movie isn’t as good as some of the other entries on this list, but it’s still an entertaining watch for fans of both Cameron and Carrey. It’s a funny, witty, and entertaining comedy that’s well worth your time.
2. There’s Something About Mary
The lookmovie film features Ted Stroehmann (Ben Stiller), a shy, clumsy high school geek who asks his crush, Mary Jensen (Cameron Diaz) to be his prom date. She declines and the date never happens, so years later he hires a private investigator (Pat Healy, played by Matt Dillon) to track her down. The result is a funny, cartoonish romp that spawned the dude magnet trope and established Cameron Diaz as a sexy tomboy who was simultaneously cute and clever.
Some of the gags are too far out there to be genuinely funny, but there’s plenty to make you laugh, including Mary mistaking her own frankfurts for hair gel and Ted getting his foot stuck in a toilet. This is a raunchy comedy that doesn’t worry about making audiences cringe or offend, and for this reason, it’s one of the best ’90s hits.
3. In Her Shoes
After a string of bad movies, Cameron Diaz finally got back on track with this sassy, sexy movie. While the film doesn’t exactly break any new ground, it’s still a light-hearted romp with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
Adapted from Jennifer Weiner’s novel, In Her Shoes tells the story of two sisters who couldn’t be more different. Maggie, played by Cameron Diaz, is a free-spirited party girl who can’t read, while Rose, played by Toni Collette, is a responsible lawyer. When their grandmother (a dynamite Shirley MacLaine) comes into their lives, they must learn to forgive each other and find their own way.
4. Gangs of New York
While it might not be the most accurate portrayal of street gangs in 1860’s New York, Gangs of New York does deliver a stunningly evocative feel thanks to Scorsese’s reconstruction of Five Points’ rowdy Paradise Square and its wooden apartment houses. The film also boasts a screen-dominating performance from Daniel Day-Lewis, who utters a dazzling New York accent that will stick with you long after the film has ended.
As much as Gangs of New York is a colossal set-piece, it is also deeply personal to director Martin Scorsese. He stumbled upon the book The Gangs of New York by Herbert Asbury in 1970 and has been planning an adaptation ever since. He’d originally wanted Dan Aykroyd to play Amsterdam Vallon and John Belushi to take on Bill the Butcher, but ended up casting Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis instead.
5. Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her
Cameron Diaz is a talented actress with many cool movies under her belt. She has starred alongside big-name stars in films like Vanilla Sky, Gangs of New York and even a sports drama with Jamie Foxx. She is a bankable star and if she wanted to move away from her goofy girl roles she could easily. However, it seems she is content to make the money she needs and then hang out with her husband Benji Madden.
6. The Holiday
One of Cameron Diaz’s funniest movies, this light-hearted rom-com features her as a controlling bride who is determined to make sure her big day goes off without a hitch. Featuring lots of humor that might be off-color for some, the movie still manages to keep you engrossed in the story from start to finish.
A timeless classic, this movie is a must-watch for any Cameron Diaz fan. It features her as a woman who is obsessed with everything pink and sparkly. While the movie may be a bit too naive and unrealistic for some, it is definitely worth watching.
7. Being John Malkovich
Being John Malkovich is one of Cameron Diaz’s best films and arguably the most memorable for audiences. The film is a dark comedy that explores the concept of desire and the human need to be recognized for our achievements. The film is not for the faint of heart, but if you are in the mood to laugh or cry then this is definitely a must-see!
While a lot of the film’s scenes do seem over-the-top and outlandish, they work well for the plot and help to make this a very entertaining movie. The story is fast-paced and there are plenty of moments that will have you giggling from start to finish.
