Jim Carrey’s history in film has produced some of the best (and worst) movies at the turn of the millennium, but it would seem that his time in the spotlight may be coming to an end. Carrey has revealed that he will be stepping away from Hollywood following Sonic the Hedgehog 2, bringing to a close one of the most incredible and inspiring film careers in recent memory. There are actually dozens of Jim Carrey movies, and he has been among the most recognizable and reliable faces in comedy for nearly 30 years. Undoubtedly, his retirement will leave a void in family entertainment, one which will take a character actor and comedian with a once-in-a-generation talent to fill.
Born in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada on January 17th, 1962, James Eugene Carrey began his career as a stand-up comic at just 15 years old. By 1982, Carrey was touring as the opener for legendary comedian Rodney Dangerfield, before he moved to Hollywood in 1983. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Carrey became a regular performer at L.A.’s Comedy Store, became part of the ensemble comedy series In Living Color, and began starring in several movies. By the 2010s, Carrey had already starred in a number of serious and comedic roles, both to great acclaim. With the actor poised for retirement, it’s high time to look back at Jim Carrey’s best movies and the evolution of his career.
36 Copper Mountain (1983)
Copper Mountain: A Club Med Experience is a Canadian comedy film starring famously Canadian actors Jim Carrey and the late Alan Thicke. The film essentially uses Jim Carrey in a commercial for the since-closed Club Med resort, with a significant portion of the runtime dedicated to shots of the property and performances from popular musicians. Friends Bobby Todd and Jackson Reach travel to the Club Med ski resort in Copper Mountain, Colorado, one to ski and the other to seduce women with impressions (Carrey of course being the latter). Overall, Copper Mountain has little to offer beyond the names of the celebrities attached to it.
35 Dark Crimes (2016)
Dark Crimes (released initially as True Crimes in the festival circuit) is a true-crime drama based on David Grann’s 2008 article “True Crime: A Postmodern Murder Mystery” published in The New Yorker. Carrey plays Tadek, a detective investigating the murder of a business executive that bears a suspicious similarity to the plot of a recently released novel. Although Carrey delivers a commendable performance, the film’s overly gloomy and dismal tone, grueling pacing, and predictable ending fail to do justice to the real-life crime upon which it was based. Dark Crimes nonetheless remains notable particularly for those not expecting a true-crime film among Jim Carrey’s movies.
34 Batman Forever (1995)
Batman Forever is the first live-action Batman film following Tim Burton’s departure from the franchise. Val Kilmer steps into the role of Bruce Wayne to battle notorious criminal Harvey Dent/Two-Face and disgruntled Wayne Enterprises employee Edward Nygma/The Riddler (played by Carrey), as they team up to control the minds of the public. Joel Schumacher’s colorful and absurd Batman films fail to replicate both Burton’s iconic aesthetic and the more ridiculous aesthetic of the Adam West era, and while Batman Forever is certainly more successful than the subsequent Batman and Robin (largely due to Carrey’s performance), it remains one of the most disliked films in the history of the franchise.
33 The Bad Batch (2016)
The Bad Batch is a dystopian thriller written and directed by Ana Lily Amirpour. A young woman is exiled to a desert where those deemed undesirable by society (the “bad batch”) are left to fend for themselves. When she is set upon by a group of cannibals (led by Jason Momoa), Arlen (played by Suki Waterhouse) barely escapes with her life and takes refuge in Comfort, a bizarre settlement led by a suspicious and charismatic man known as “The Dream” (played by Keanu Reeves). Carrey appears as The Hermit, a mute healer who sets Arlen on her path to Comfort. The Bad Batch is visually impressive, but ultimately wastes the potential of its star-studded cast.
32 Dumb and Dumber To (2014)
20 years after the release of Dumb and Dumber, Peter and Bobby Farrelly teamed back up to direct the long-awaited sequel, Dumb and Dumber To. The franchise had been previously rebooted with the ill-fated Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, but neither of the Farrelly brothers returned for the project. Dumb and Dumber To sees Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne return to form in a new adventure, this time setting out to find Harry’s long-lost daughter. It was exciting to see Carrey and Daniels back in the roles, and there are several laugh-out-loud moments. However, the sequel scarcely compares to the original Dumb and Dumber.
31 The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013)
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is a magical comedy from 30 Rock director Dan Scardino. Steve Carell and Jim Carrey respectively play rival magicians Burt Wonderstone, the successful and predictable performer, and Steve Gray, the edgy and committed exhibitionist. When Burt loses his Las Vegas residency, he is forced to start his career over and relearn all the things that he had taken for granted. Despite the legendary combination of Steve Carell and Jim Carrey in truly inspired roles, the film’s clichéd structure and inconsistent tone make it an average comedy among Jim Carrey’s movies.
30 Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)
After the success of 1994’s Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, writer and standup comedian Steve Oedekerk made quick work of a sequel, releasing Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls the following year. Carrey returns as the quirky and chaotic detective, this time tasked with recovering “Shikaka,” a Great White Bat considered sacred by the Wachati tribe of Africa. Despite Carrey’s entertaining reprisal of the character, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is also filled with outdated African and Asian stereotypes, somehow managing to be even more problematic than its predecessor while still earning over $200 million at the box office – nearly double that of the more favorably reviewed Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
29 Mr. Popper’s Penguins (2011)
Mr. Popper’s Penguins is a children’s comedy film loosely based on Richard and Florence Atwater’s 1938 novel of the same name. When Thomas Popper, Sr. dies during an Antarctic excursion, he bequeaths a penguin called Captain to his son, divorced real estate entrepreneur Thomas Popper, Jr. (played by Carrey). As the result of a misunderstanding, Popper becomes the owner of half a dozen penguins, transforming his apartment into a winter wonderland and forcing him to reevaluate his priorities. The film is serviceable as a children’s comedy, with plenty of cute animals and over-the-top gags. However, Carrey’s lukewarm performance makes Mr. Popper’s Penguins forgettable compared to most other Jim Carrey movies.
28 The Number 23 (2007)
The Number 23 is a dark and mysterious thriller, pairing Carrey with the late Batman Forever director Joel Schumacher in what would be the duo’s second and final collaboration. Carrey stars as Walter Sparrow, an unassuming animal control officer who begins to uncover dark secrets from his past that all revolve around the number 23. The film is well-executed to the fullest extent possible, but the premise and plot structure are convoluted and test the limits of suspension of disbelief in viewers, harming its impact as a thriller. Although there are interesting elements presented, problems like hiding obvious plot points behind a thinly-veiled wall of mystique make The Number 23 an average film.
27 I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)
I Love You Phillip Morris is a semi-biographical comedy based on the real-life story of notorious con artist Steven Jay Russell. In an unconventional and incredible love story, Russell falls in love with fellow inmate Phillip Morris while they are incarcerated, breaking out of prison an astonishing four times to be reunited with Morris following his release. Carrey and Ewan McGregor are delightful as Russell and Morris, delivering decidedly different performances to the rest of either actor’s catalog. Despite a handful of unsavory moments and occasionally heavy subject matter, I Love You Phillip Morris manages to be a generally uplifting film that does justice to a true-crime story.
26 Fun With Dick And Jane (2005)
Fun with Dick and Jane is a remake of the 1977 dark comedy film of the same name. After Dick Harper (played by Carrey) loses everything as a result of his corrupt boss (played by original Jack Ryan actor Alec Baldwin), he and his wife Jane (played by Tea Leoni) take to a life of crime, stealing from those they perceive to have wronged them in order to make ends meet. Fun with Dick and Jane makes some interesting and entertaining points about the pitfalls of modern capitalism and works very well as a fun and confusing dark comedy.
25 Once Bitten (1985)
In his first major leading role, Carrey stars alongside American Gigolo actress Lauren Hutton in the teen horror/comedy Once Bitten. Mark Kendall, an innocent and naive high school student, is seduced in a Hollywood nightclub by a woman who is, unbeknownst to him, a 400-year-old vampire who must feed on virgin blood thrice annually to maintain her immortality. Despite receiving an underwhelming initial response, Once Bitten has since achieved cult status, finding a home among other popular vampire movies as a result of its nostalgic ‘80s aesthetic.
24 Yes Man (2008)
Yes Man is a romantic comedy loosely based on the 2005 memoir by Danny Wallace, who also makes an appearance in the film. At odds with his mundane life, Carl Allen (played by Carrey) challenges himself to say “yes” to all that life has to offer him, opening himself up to experiences and opportunities that he’d never previously considered. The pairing of Carrey and Zooey Deschanel is delightfully quirky, and though it may not be the most original of stories, Carrey’s charm and sincerity carry the film through its rougher moments and make it a largely enjoyable and uplifting experience.
23 Finders Keepers (1984)
Finders Keepers is a comedy film based on Charles Dennis’ 1974 novel The Next-To-Last Train Ride. After hiding millions of dollars they’d stolen in a coffin, Georgina Latimer and Josef Sirola find themselves embroiled in a farcical web of crime and conspiracy. Jim Carrey makes a guest appearance as Lane Biddlecoff, a military deserter whose death was meant to be faked in an attempt to hide his crimes using the coffin that Georgina and Josef had filled with their stolen money. The film is not exceptionally graceful in its pacing, but the intricately interwoven stories and standout comedic performances offer more than a few memorable moments.
22 Kick-Ass 2 (2013)
Kick-Ass 2 is the sequel to 2010’s Kick-Ass based on the comic series by John Romita Jr. and Mark Millar. After the events of the first film, scores of other civilians have elected to follow in Kick-Ass’ footsteps and take up vigilantism themselves. Harnessing the potential of these new heroes and villains, Kick-Ass and Red Mist pit their imitators against each other in a massive climactic battle to resolve their residual rivalry. Carrey appears as Colonel Stars and Stripes, lending a pop of color to an otherwise even darker and grittier Kick-Ass movie than the first.
21 RubberFace (1981)
Rubberface served as Jim Carrey’s film debut, named in reference to Carrey’s characteristic skill for facial contortions. Janet is a young girl with comedy aspirations, often entertaining other children with jokes. After meeting struggling comedian Tony Moroni (played by Carrey), the two team up to improve Tony’s jokes as well as Janet’s self-esteem. The film is a bit rough around the edges, but that’s precisely what gives the story its charm. Moroni’s journey mirrored Carrey’s: struggling to find their voice in much the same way. Rubberface demonstrates the foundation of the comedic style that would become the cornerstone of Carrey’s career, with compelling parallels to his real life.
20 Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
Peggy Sue Got Married is a fantasy/comedy from the legendary director of The Godfather Francis Ford Coppola. After fainting during her 25th high school reunion, Peggy Sue Bodell awakens as a younger version of herself in 1960, reliving her senior year as she struggles to get back to the ’80s. Carrey appears somewhat briefly as Walter Getz, a classmate of Peggy’s who performed in a doo-wop group alongside Nicolas Cage’s character, Peggy’s eventual husband Charlie Bodell. Considering the film featured nearly every famous Coppola family member (Francis, Sofia, and Nicolas Cage), it’s no great surprise that it was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Kathleen Turner’s performance as Peggy.
19 Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)
Earth Girls Are Easy is a sci-fi comedy musical inspired by the 1984 Julie Brown song by the same name. This one stands out among other Jim Carrey movies for its sheer strangeness. Mac, Zeebo, and Wiploc (played by Jeff Goldblum, Damon Wayans, and Jim Carrey respectively) are three furry aliens who, after receiving a broadcast showing human women, set off to Earth in search of female companionship. Although it received criticisms for being essentially a stretched-out music video, the ridiculous set pieces and cast of legendary comedic actors make Earth Girls Are Easy a memorable and fun experience.
18 Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
After much criticism from the internet, the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie was released to largely positive reviews. Sonic, a super-fast blue hedgehog from another world is sent to Earth to hide from the tribe of echidnas bent on harnessing his powers, but he quickly finds a similar threat in the evil Dr. Robotnik. While there are certainly distinct differences from the Sonic video games, the improved Sonic design made the character feel far more recognizable than in the now-infamous pre-production images. Carrey’s characterization of Dr. Robotnik is familiar without being imitative, bringing together what is one of the better video game adaptations in recent history, a truly rare feat.
17 Horton Hears a Who (2008)
Horton Hears a Who (also known simply as Horton) is an animated children’s movie based on the popular Dr. Seuss book by the same name. Carrey voices Horton, an eccentric and big-hearted elephant and nature teacher to the inhabitants of the Jungle of Nool. Using his acute hearing, Horton locates the city of Whoville on a speck of dust drifting in the wind, bringing it back to the other jungle animals who ostracize him in disbelief. Carrey and Steve Carell make a lively and entertaining pair as the film’s main characters, bringing to life Dr. Seuss’ low-key political epic about the power of disruptive but non-violent people’s movements.
