The best Jim Carrey movies are Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Truman Show, Man on the Moon, Dumb and Dumber, The Mask, Liar Liar, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Bruce Almighty and I Love You Phillip Morris, along with the Netflix documentary Jim and Andy. Together they show his range, from rubber-faced comedy to serious drama.
Jim Carrey, born on 17 January 1962 in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, became a star in 1994 when Ace Ventura, The Mask and Dumb and Dumber all released in the same year. He later won two Golden Globes for dramatic roles. In recent years he has played Dr. Robotnik in the Sonic films, and in 2025 he received an honorary Cesar award in France.
Jim Carrey movies: quick list
| Rank | Film | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind | 2004 | Michel Gondry |
| 2 | The Truman Show | 1998 | Peter Weir |
| 3 | Jim and Andy: The Great Beyond | 2017 | Chris Smith |
| 4 | Man on the Moon | 1999 | Milos Forman |
| 5 | Dumb and Dumber | 1994 | Peter Farrelly |
| 6 | The Mask | 1994 | Chuck Russell |
| 7 | Liar Liar | 1997 | Tom Shadyac |
| 8 | Ace Ventura: Pet Detective | 1994 | Tom Shadyac |
| 9 | Bruce Almighty | 2003 | Tom Shadyac |
| 10 | I Love You Phillip Morris | 2009 | Glenn Ficarra and John Requa |
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Carrey plays Joel, a shy man who learns that his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has had him erased from her memory, and decides to do the same. Michel Gondry’s film, written by Charlie Kaufman, won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
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It is his most restrained performance and, for many critics, his best. Watch it for the way it handles memory and heartbreak.
2. The Truman Show (1998)
Truman Burbank has lived his whole life inside a giant TV set without knowing it, watched by millions. Peter Weir’s satire was Carrey’s first big dramatic role and won him the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama.
Its idea of a life lived on camera feels even sharper in the age of reels and reality shows.
3. Jim and Andy: The Great Beyond (2017)
This Netflix documentary uses behind-the-scenes footage from Man on the Moon, where Carrey stayed in character as comedian Andy Kaufman for the entire shoot. Carrey reflects on that experience, fame and identity.
It streams on Netflix and is the best way to understand how he approaches a role.
4. Man on the Moon (1999)
Milos Forman’s biopic of Andy Kaufman, the American comic known for strange, confrontational stunts. Carrey’s performance won him his second Golden Globe.
5. Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Carrey and Jeff Daniels play Lloyd and Harry, two very foolish friends who drive across the US to return a briefcase. The Farrelly brothers’ comedy is full of quotable scenes and remains a favourite for repeat viewing. A sequel, Dumb and Dumber To, followed in 2014.
6. The Mask (1994)
Bank clerk Stanley Ipkiss finds an ancient mask that turns him into a green-faced, cartoon-like trickster. The special effects were cutting edge for the time, but Carrey’s elastic face and timing make the film. It was also Cameron Diaz’s first film.
7. Liar Liar (1997)
Fletcher Reede is a lawyer who lies for a living until his son’s birthday wish makes it impossible for him to tell a lie for 24 hours. The courtroom scenes are some of Carrey’s funniest work.
8. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
The film that made him a movie star. Ace Ventura is hired to find the Miami Dolphins’ kidnapped mascot, a dolphin named Snowflake. The humour is broad and loud, and the sequel Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls followed in 1995.
9. Bruce Almighty (2003)
A frustrated TV reporter complains about God and is handed God’s powers for a while, with Morgan Freeman as God. It was a major box office hit and led to the spin-off Evan Almighty, without Carrey.
10. I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)
Based on a true story, Carrey plays con artist Steven Russell, who falls in love with fellow inmate Phillip Morris, played by Ewan McGregor, and keeps escaping prison to be with him. It is a dark comedy that showed a riskier side of Carrey.
What Jim Carrey is doing now
Carrey has said in interviews since 2022 that he was close to stepping away from acting, but he returned as Dr. Ivo Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), also playing Robotnik’s grandfather Gerald. The Sonic films are his biggest recent hits after Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022).
In February 2025 he received an honorary Cesar, France’s top film honour. Trade reports have also linked him to the lead in a live-action The Jetsons film from Warner Bros., with Colin Trevorrow attached to direct. For more star profiles and film lists, see our Hollywood section and celebs coverage.
Frequently asked questions
What is Jim Carrey’s best movie?
Most critics pick Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or The Truman Show. For pure comedy, Dumb and Dumber and The Mask are fan favourites.
Has Jim Carrey won an Oscar?
No. He has never been nominated for an Oscar, but he won two Golden Globes, for The Truman Show and Man on the Moon.
Is Jim Carrey in Sonic 3?
Yes. He plays Dr. Ivo Robotnik and his grandfather Gerald Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, released in December 2024.
Where can I watch Jim and Andy in India?
Jim and Andy: The Great Beyond is a Netflix documentary and streams on Netflix.
Sources: Jim Carrey, Wikipedia, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Wikipedia, Jim Carrey, IMDb.
