Top 10: Jim Carrey Movies

Jim Carrey has seen many box office hits over his career. Here’s a look at the ten best, based on a combination of box office revenue and response from both critics and audiences.

1. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

The first Ace Ventura is the movie that made Jim Carrey a huge star. It grossed $72 million, but had a lower budget. It has a strong 6.6 rating on IMDB and Carrey received good reviews for his performance as the bumbling pet detective assigned to rescue the Miami mascot before the Super Bowl. The sequel made more money than the original, but didn’t receive the same warm reception. The first Ace Ventura still appears on TV many times today, and is responsible for much of Carrey’s career.

2. Dumb and Dumber (1994)

This Jim Carrey hit grossed $127 million in 1994, a big chunk of money. It also scored a 7.2 on IMDB among its favorable reviews from critics. The movie is a fixture on cable television to this day, cementing its legacy as one of Carrey’s most popular movies. It also spawned a TV series and a spin-off.

3. Bruce Almighty (2003)

This is Carrey’s second highest grossing leading role, pulling in $242 million at the domestic box office. Carrey plays a struggling weatherman in Buffalo who is given the chance to play God. The supporting cast includes Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, and Jennifer Aniston. It was a huge hit that spawned a sequel, though Carrey did not appear in that. It also received a large number of positive reviews from critics and a 6.6 on IMDB.

4. The Truman Show (1998)

Carrey entered more dramatic territory with this Peter Weir film about a man who is unaware that his whole life is a reality show. It was a highly original film that grossed $125 million at the box office. It has an 8.0 rating on IMDB puts in the Top 250 on that site. Carrey received a lot of praise for his performance in the film.

5. Liar, Liar (1997)

Prior to Liar, Liar in 1997, Jim Carrey had a couple of flops and his start was thought to be fading. Reuniting with director Tom Shadyac, Carrey played a lawyer who can only tell the truth for 24 hours. It grossed $181 million and produced solid critical and audience responses. It also restored Carrey as a box office star.

6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

This was a truly unique vehicle for Carrey. Though its box office success falls short of most Carrey movies, it is arguably the most favorably reviewed movie on his resume. It has an 8.5 rating on IMDB, landing it in the top 60 movies. It also gave Carrey credibility as a purely dramatic actor. Dealing with erasing bad memories from the mind, it’s one of the more original movies of the decade.

7. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

This is Carrey’s highest grossing movie, pulling in $260 million domestic. It received modest reviews, but became a popular holiday hit. It was directed by Ron Howard.

8. The Mask (1994)

No Jim Carrey movie list is complete without this comedy masterpiece. Box office earnings and ratings aside The Mask is a definite favorite of mine, along with 71,575 voters on IMDB. If this list was made based on humor genius alone, The Mask would top this list. Hands down.

9. Horton Hears A Who (2008)

Jim Carrey provided the starring voice in this hit from the Dr. Seuss library. It was a box office, critical, and audience success that has seen great sales on DVD as well.

10. Yes Man (2008)

Jim Carrey plays a man who makes a life changing decision to say yes to everything. It grossed a modest $97 million by Carrey comedy standards, but received positive reviews and a solid 7.0 rating on IMDB.

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