Raunchy rom-comThere’s Something About Maryis climbing the streaming chart, currently sitting at number six on Hulu. StarringBen StillerandCameron Diaz, the comedy was directed by theFarrelly Brothers(Peter and Bobby), and becamea massive smash hit when it premiered in July 1998. The film went on to earn nearly $370 million at the global box office against a $23 million production budget. It currently sits at a positive 84% critical and, surprisingly, only 61% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.
Following the success ofDumb and Dumberin 1994,and, to a lesser extent,Kingpinin 1996, the Farrelly Brothers went to work onThere’s Something About Mary, which starredStiller as Ted, Diaz as Mary, and Matt Dillon as Healy. Years after a disastrous high school date with his crush Mary (you have to see it to believe it), Ted gets another chance years later when his best friend Dom (Chris Elliott) suggests he find her. He hires Healy, a private investigator, who learns Mary lives in Miami with her special-needs brother and is an orthopedic surgeon.
The film has many genuine laugh-out-loud moments and became an instant classic. The box office was quite unexpected as good word-of-mouth had people flocking to the theater to see what the movie was all about.There’s Something About Marystill holds up to this day, and could bea great choice for a Valentine’s Day movie night. Pairing it up with another 1990s or 2000s rom-com, such as50 First Dates,for a solid double-feature.
‘There’s Something About Mary’ Was a Breakout Film for the Cast and Filmmakers
BeforeThere’s Something About Marypremiered, stars Stiller and Diaz had solid acting careers, with Stiller’sReality Bites(which he also directed) andFlirting With Disasterbeing solid hits. Meanwhile, Diaz co-starred with Jim Carrey inThe Maskin 1994 (a big year for Carrey), then went on to co-star in indie and art house dramas likeFeeling MinnesotaandFear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Following the success of the rom-com, Stiller starred in or directed multiple blockbusters,includingMeet the Parents(2000),Zoolander(2001),Night at the Museum(2006),Tropic Thunder(2008), theMadagascarseries (which he voiced), and other films. Additionally, he had small but memorable roles inHappy Gilmore(1996),Anchorman(2004),Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story(2004), and more.
Meanwhile, Diaz co-starred in a string of massive hit films, includingBeing John Malkovich(1999),Charlie’s Angels(2000) and the sequel, theShrekseries (which she voiced),Vanilla Sky(2001),Bad Teacher(2011), and several others. Diaz officially announced her retirement following the big-screen adaptation ofAnniein 2014. However,she’s come out of retirement to star inBack in Actionwith Jamie Fox, which recently debuted on Netflix. She will also return as Princess Fiona inShrek 5, which comes out at the end of 2026
Before ‘Back in Action,’ Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz Teamed Up in This 1999 Football Drama
Released in 1999, Oliver Stone’s ‘Any Given Sunday’ had an all-star ensemble cast, but it was arguably more important for Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz.
The Farrelly Brothers had a string of hits followingThere’s Something About Mary, withMe, Myself, and Irene(2000) with Carrey and Renée Zellweger, along withShallow Hal(2001), which starred Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow, being two of the bigger ones. They returned to the film that launched their careers withDumb and Dumber To(2014), but their most recent film,Dear Santa(2024) with Black, was a dud. However, thefilmmakers should be commendedfor the movies they made early on in their careers.
There’s Something About Mary
