2. Bad Teacher
Original release date: Bad Teacher opened in theaters on June 24, 2011.
Box office earnings: While taking a hit with critics, the film fared much better at the box office. Bad Teacher made a whopping $216.2 million against a budget of $20 million.
Critical acclaim: Bad Teacher wasn’t a critical darling by a long shot, but it still managed to pull in middling reviews. The film holds a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, denoting a virtual wash between the negative and positive marks. Diaz was universally praised and was robbed of her fifth Golden Globe nomination.
About the role: Cameron Diaz stars in Bad Teacher as Elizabeth Halsey, an apathetic and alcohol-fueled teacher who looks forward to marrying her rich fiancé and quitting her job. But when he dumps her, Elizabeth must think on her feet and put some effort into teaching in order to land a raise. In trying to push aside her acid-tongued instincts, Elizabeth pursues the school’s hot and rich new hire, Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake), while facing off with a competitor.
Why it’s the best: Sure, Bad Teacher doesn’t have the strongest script, but Diaz’s performance will make you forget about the cringiest lines and moments. She’s brazen and no-holds-barred as the cutthroat Elizabeth, an unlikeable character the delightful movie star was meant to play.
Beyond Diaz’s award-worthy work, Bad Teacher also ranks as one of her best movies because of the faith she had in the blockbuster. Diaz took a $1 million paycheck to make the movie, but received an estimated $40 million of the film’s backend when it became a hit. Now, that’s history.
1. Charlie’s Angels and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
Original release date: Charlie’s Angels hit theaters on Nov. 3, 2000 and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle followed on June 27, 2003.
Box office earnings: The first film in the reboot franchise debuted at the top spot of the box office and made over $264 million against a budget of $93 million. The sequel made less, with a worldwide gross of $259.1 million against a bigger budget of $120 million.
Critical acclaim: Charlie’s Angels earned mostly positive reviews from critics, pulling in a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle took a bigger hit with critics as it holds a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
About the role: Diaz stars alongside Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu in both Charlie’s Angels films as Natalie Cook, one of the three Angels tasked with taking down the world’s biggest criminals. The trio work as private investigators for the unseen millionaire Charlie (John Forsythe) with help from Bosley (Bill Murray; Bernie Mac in Full Throttle). In the first film, the Angels track down a tech billionaire to secure his latest software invention, and in the sequel they square off against a fallen former Angel (Demi Moore).
Why it’s the best: Obviously, nothing can top Charlie’s Angels. Twenty years later, the film and its sequel have been adopted by millennials as cult classics. Even Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, which wasn’t a massive box office smash and the object of critics’ derision, has a new standing as a queer classic thanks to its leading trio and Demi Moore. Once again, Diaz makes like a chameleon and proves herself as an action star. With Drew and Lucy by her side, she’s unstoppable.
