Cameron Diaz returns with new Netflix action movie Bad Day in December 2026

After taking over the big screen for most of the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, Cameron Diaz retired from acting in 2014. The Charlie's Angels and Shrek star took a step back from making movies to start a family and a flourishing wine business, but after a 10-year hiatus, the actress un-retired to star alongside Jamie Foxx in 2025's blockbuster Netflix action comedy Back in Action.

The title of Diaz's comeback movie was very fitting, since it was also her first time getting back in action as a movie star. Thankfully, Diaz didn't return to her retirement and has taken on more acting roles, like in the 2026 Apple TV movie Outcome and next year's Shrek 5. But before this year comes to an end, Diaz will be back on Netflix again in the new action comedy Bad Day.

Bad Day starring Cameron Diaz premieres on Netflix in December 2026

On Aug. 21, Netflix revealed the Bad Day release date for Friday, Dec. 11, 2026, allowing the movie to make its premiere just in time for the Christmas and New Year's Eve holiday season at the end of the year. Diaz lands one of the highly coveted pre-holiday release dates that will ensure everyone will have the chance to check out her latest movie while home for the holidays.

Unlike Back in Action, which was a two-hander with Diaz and Foxx, Bad Day features Diaz in the leading role. She plays a single mother named Joy, who is willing to do anything for her children, which includes going through a very bad day, or what the synopsis refers to as the worst day of her life, in order to keep a promise to her daughter. The stakes sound pretty high!

Bad Day comes from director Jake Szymanski, who also directed the movies Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates and The Package and the series Jury Duty, and writer Laura Solon. In addition to Diaz in the leading role, the cast also includes Ed O'Neill, Danielle Brooks, John Higgins, Rhenzy Feliz, Sam Richardson, Ben Schwartz, Rob Corddry, Mark Duplass, Beck Bennett, Retta, Sherry Cola, and more.

The movie was first announced in July 2025, shortly after the global success of Diaz's return in Back in Action earlier that year. Bad Day went into production in September 2025 in New Jersey and is now set for release a bit over a year later. While Diaz doesn't have a formal deal with Netflix, the actress appears to be enjoying collaborating with the streaming service after her hiatus.

For those of us who grew up watching Cameron Diaz movies, from The Mask to My Best Friend's Wedding to There's Something About Mary to Charlie's Angels to The Sweetest Thing to Shrek, having the star back and making movies again has been nothing short of a silver lining. She's the talent and star power we have been missing and are so lucky to have back.

Bad Day premieres on Netflix on Friday, Dec. 11. Stay tuned for more details about the movie, including the trailer. Check out first-look images from the movie as shared by Netflix below!

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