Cameron Diaz returned to acting last year after an eight-year hiatus, a welcome return for the hilarious actress. She’s simply a riot, as proven in her spread of comedy films over the years. She was launched into stardom with The Mask, Diaz’s first-ever onscreen performance, and then a few years later, she firmly established her bona fides with an exuberant co-starring role in My Best Friend’s Wedding. But it was There’s Something About Mary, the Farrelly Brothers’ wildly successful comedy, that cemented her status atop the A-list. Easily fluctuating between the worlds of small-budge indies and major Hollywood blockbusters like Charlie’s Angels and even the critically acclaimed Shrek 2, it’s safe to say Diaz successfully took Hollywood by storm.
We compiled a complete list below of genuinely funny films that star Diaz. Some of our selections won’t come as a surprise, but others might make you say, “Oh right, I forgot she was in that!” And it goes without saying that we’d love to see Diaz back in action with a future comedic release — especially in a reunion with Drew Barrymore!
8 Charlie’s Angels (2000)
Elizabeth Banks’ recent reboot may have flopped, but the 2000 version of Charlie’s Angels was certainly a hit. And it was darn funny — remember Bill Murray’s co-starring role? The premise centers on a trio of elite private investigators armed with the latest in high-tech tools, high-performance vehicles, martial arts techniques and an array of disguises unleashes their state-of-the-art skills on land, sea and air to track down a kidnapped billionaire-to-be and keep his top-secret voice-ID software out of lethal hands. This high-octane update of the original 70s TV series features great performance, and did we mention Diaz is a hoot? Watching her dance in the mirror while making the bed is laugh-out-loud material, to say the least.
7 Knight and Day (2010)
Diaz’s team-up with Tom Cruise, Knight and Day, may have received mixed reviews, but the two have good chemistry, and benefit from a pretty funny script. The action-comedy starts on June Havens (Diaz) as she chats up her charming seatmate on a flight out of Kansas, but she doesn’t realize that she will soon land in the middle of an international adventure. The fellow passenger, Roy Miller (Cruise), is a covert operative who claims he has been set up to take a fall. Now becoming his reluctant partner, June must dodge bullets, leap rooftops and more — all the while bickering at the mysterious Roy.
6 My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
Here’s a throwback for you. Julia Roberts fans might forget that Diaz is also a lead player in My Best Friend’s Wedding. The classic rom-com follows childhood friends Julianne (Roberts) and Michael (Dermot Mulroney), who had a deal to marry each other if they were still single by age 28. Now, four days before her 28th birthday, O’Neil announces he’s marrying a gorgeous 20-year-old named (Diaz). Suddenly realizing her true love for Michael, Julianne vows to stop the wedding at all costs. However, when she is appointed maid of honor, things get even more complex. It’s a laugh-out-loud ride and further proves Diaz can bring the comedic chops when needed.
5 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
This is another one of those where you’re like, “Ah yes, Cameron Diaz was in that!” Her fun little cameo as a reporter successfully adds to the greater comedic forces at work in Terry Gilliam’s adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson’s renowned book. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas centers on fictional journalist Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) and his attorney Dr. Gonzo (Benicio Del Toro) as they drive a convertible across the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas with a suitcase full of drugs. As their consumption of drugs increases at an alarming rate, the stoned duo trash their hotel room and fear legal repercussions. Talk about a funny movie — watch out for that “ether binge” scene, plus a Tobey Maguire cameo that will make your head spin.
4 Being John Malkovich (1999)
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Speaking of head spinning — Diaz continued to extend her comedic reach by joining a Charlie Kaufman exercise in insanity that is Being John Malkovich. In this quirky cult-favorite, unemployed NYC puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) reluctantly takes a temp job as a filing clerk for the eccentric Dr. Lester (Orson Bean). While at work, Craig discovers a portal that leads into the mind of renowned actor John Malkovich. When he lets his co-worker (Oscar-nominee Catherine Keener) in on the secret, they begin both an unusual business scheme and an odd relationship that involves Craig’s restless wife Lotte (Diaz). Highlight scene goes to the “Malkovich, Malkovich” scene, where the actor plays every character inside a restaurant.
3 The Mask (1994)
Diaz’s first feature role, ladies and gentlemen. What started as a small role evolved into a major starring turn once the folks behind The Mask realized how terrific of an actress Diaz is. The storyline centers on timid bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey), who discovers a magical mask containing an ancient spirit. While wearing the mask, Ipkiss becomes a supernatural playboy, exuding charm that catches the eye of a local nightclub singer (Diaz). Unfortunately, under the mask’s influence, Ipkiss also robs a bank, which angers a mafioso (Peter Greene), and chaos soon ensues. There are funnier Jim Carrey films out there, but The Mask certainly brings the laughs.
2 Shrek (2001)
Who doesn’t love Shrek? Diaz’s voice work in this Oscar-winning gem holds up well opposite Mike Myers as the titular ogre. Shrek 2 was also a hit, but it’s tough to top the original in this franchise. In the first film, laced with a top-notch pop-music soundtrack, we watch as Shrek’s precious solitude is suddenly shattered by an invasion of annoying fairy tale characters. They were all banished from their kingdom by the evil Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). Shrek ultimately cuts a deal with Farquaad and sets out to rescue Princess Fiona (Diaz) to be Farquaad’s bride. And don’t forget Shrek’s unwanted partner-in-crime, Donkey (Eddie Murphy, never better). Shrek proved that Diaz can provide killer voice work on the animation front.
1 There’s Something About Mary (1998)
No. 1 on our list goes to Diaz’s titular role from the late-90s comedy, There’s Something About Mary. It’s usually a good start when you sign on to a Farrelly brothers film, after all. Diaz plays Mary, aka Ted’s (Ben Stiller) dream prom date. Thanks to an unbelievably gross-out turn of events, the prom date never happens, and years later, Ted hires Pat Healy (Matt Dillon) to track down Mary so that he can reconnect with her. Pat lies to Ted about Mary, and finds out everything he can about her to trick her into dating him. Ted ultimately strikes back, and we’re left rooting for him and Mary all the way. Stiller and Dillon get most of the zinger one-liners in the film, but Diaz is hysterical as a dream girl in distress. “How does my stomach taste” is just one of her memorable quotes, after Pat goes in for a brutally intense kiss.
