Cameron Diaz’s career has been described as enigmatic, even though she is now officially retired (at least for the time being). Diaz appears to be best recognized for her appearances in a handful of less-than-perfect romantic comedies rather than her more remarkable dramatic roles, despite having a diverse range of roles ranging from comedy to drama to animation. It’s tempting to dismiss her only on the basis of her flops, but that’s not fair. Diaz has shown to be a vital player time and time again. In fact, Diaz’s filmography is really intriguing to examine in retrospect. She’s worked with several of Hollywood’s finest directors, played a variety of parts, and will likely be immortalized in some of the best films of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Cameron Diaz’s filmography will remain full of solid and spectacular films regardless of whether she ever returns to acting.

Gangs of New York

Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York is unlike anything else. There’s nothing like playing the female lead in a Martin Scorsese picture, either. Cameron Diaz has joined the ranks of Scorsese’s most dynamic women, with Margot Robbie, Jodie Foster, and Lorraine Bracco. Anyone would be lucky to star beside Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis in a Scorsese film, but few are lucky enough to look as confident as Diaz does here.

The Holiday

Nancy Meyers’ films are known for making the audience feel as warm as the surroundings they describe, and The Holiday from 2006 is no exception. The story revolves around two women who are both brokenhearted and tired of their daily lives and decide to move houses for the holidays. What’s the catch? One resides in Los Angeles (LA) while the other in the United Kingdom. Diaz embodies the role of the boy-next-door by convincingly portraying the fish out of water. As she begins to fall for Jude Law, she really turns on the charm.

The Mask

Costarring with Jim Carrey is no easy chore – he’s a jerk, and every movie from the 1990s featuring him in the lead was almost certainly made just for him. Despite this, Diaz shines as the female lead in this film about a man who transforms into a human cartoon character. To this day, the two are still considered 90s icons, thanks in part to this film.

In Her Shoes

In Her Shoes, a dramatic, romantic, comic look at the connection between two sisters and their diverse personalities, is another (lesser known) Diaz vehicle from the 2000s. Toni Collette and Diaz play sisters convincingly, while Shirley MacLaine as their grandma provides a charming performance. There are a few problems in the film’s duration, but Diaz’s talent in it is evident.

The Counsellor

While it was critically lambasted upon its initial release, The Counselor is far from a dud. It’s almost unforgettably memorable. In this Ridley Scott-directed Cormac McCarthy adaptation, Diaz stars with Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, and Javier Bardem as Malkina. To be sure, this is a one-of-a-kind film, but it’s also one of Diaz’s most unforgettable.