Honestly, for a while there, it really felt like we’d seen the last of Cameron Diaz.
The woman who basically defined the 1990s and early 2000s—flashing that mega-watt smile in everything from The Mask to There’s Something About Mary—just... stopped. She didn't fade away or slowly take smaller roles. She hit the brakes, hard. It was 2014, she’d just finished Annie, and then she vanished from the call sheets for an entire decade.
People were confused. Why walk away when you're still at the top? But then, 2025 happened. Now, in early 2026, we’re seeing a version of Cameron Diaz that feels more grounded than the "It Girl" of old, even if she’s still kicking butt on screen.
The Big Return: Back in Action and Beyond
If you’ve been on Netflix lately, you probably saw her reunion with Jamie Foxx in Back in Action. Released in January 2025, it was her first movie in eleven years. She plays Emily, a former CIA spy living a quiet suburban life until her cover gets blown. It’s meta, right? A character forced out of retirement played by an actress who actually came out of retirement.
The critics weren't exactly throwing Oscars at it. Some called the script lazy. But seeing Cameron Diaz back on screen? That was the real draw. She hasn't lost that spark. She’s currently filming an action-comedy called Bad Day, directed by Jake Szymanski. This one sounds a bit more intense—think a comedic spin on the 1993 drama Falling Down. She plays a single mom having, well, the absolute worst day of her life.
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And for the kids (and the nostalgic adults), the big news for later this year is Shrek 5. Set for a December 2026 release, she’s returning as the voice of Princess Fiona. Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy are back, too.
What She Was Doing for Ten Years
A lot of people think she was just sitting on a beach. Not really. She got married to Benji Madden in 2015—they met through Nicole Richie, weirdly enough—and they’ve stayed remarkably private.
They have two kids now: Raddix, born in 2019, and Cardinal, who arrived in early 2024. Diaz has talked about how having children later in life (she was 47 when Raddix was born) gave her a "different perspective." It’s basically why she left. She was tired of the travel, the 4 a.m. call times, and the fact that her life didn't belong to her anymore.
She also became a wine mogul. If you’ve seen those white and green labels at the grocery store, that’s her brand, Avaline. She started it with Katherine Power in 2020 because they wanted "clean" wine with no weird additives. It’s not just a vanity project; it’s a massive business. By late 2025, Avaline was ranked as one of the fastest-growing wine companies in the U.S., posting over 50% growth.
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Why the "The Holiday 2" Rumors Won't Die
Every winter, the internet explodes with rumors that The Holiday 2 is happening. You’ve probably seen the "leaked" posters or the AI-generated trailers on YouTube.
Let’s set the record straight: Nancy Meyers has explicitly said it’s not true. Kate Winslet said she’s never even had a conversation about it. Even in 2026, despite Cameron being back in the acting game, there is zero evidence of a sequel. It’s one of those things fans want so badly that they just invent it every December.
The Myth of the "Retirement"
Diaz doesn't even like the word "retired." She calls it a sabbatical.
She told Andy Cohen once that finding her husband changed everything. She realized she wanted to build a life, not just a career. It’s a move a lot of people in high-stress jobs dream of but never actually do. She had the guts to walk away from tens of millions of dollars because she was "maxed out."
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What’s Actually Next?
If you're looking for more Cameron, here is the roadmap for 2026:
- Watch for Outcome: This is a dark comedy coming out soon starring her and Keanu Reeves. It’s their first time working together since 1996.
- The Wine Expansion: Avaline just signed a huge deal with Southern Glazer’s, so you’ll start seeing her organic blends in way more restaurants and hotels this year.
- Shrek 5: Mark your calendars for December. Fiona is coming back, and Zendaya is joining the cast as Shrek and Fiona’s daughter.
Cameron Diaz basically proved that you can quit, do something else, and still be welcomed back with open arms. She’s choosing projects on her own terms now—what she calls "momcoms" instead of rom-coms. It’s a pretty smart way to handle a second act.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of her earlier work, skip the Back in Action sequels for now and look for Outcome. It’s a Jonah Hill-directed project that promises a much grittier, more interesting performance from her than the standard Netflix action fare. Also, if you’re curious about the business side, keep an eye on Avaline’s new varietals like Sauvignon Blanc—the brand is shifting from just "celebrity wine" to a serious industry player.