#10 – Dumb and Dumber

This film has megalolz and roflcopters written all over it. Carrey and Jeff Daniels play Harry and Lloyd, a couple of idiots who end up on a cross-country journey to Aspen to return a woman’s lost briefcase… except it’s not actually lost, it’s a ransom payoff, and now Harry and Lloyd are being hunted by some hired goons. D’oh. Replete with slapstick and gross-out humour galore, this is the movie that launched The Farrelly Brothers’ careers! (And therefore is responsible for Hall Pass, but we’ll forgive it…only just).

#9 – Bruce Almighty

Jim Carrey finds out playing God isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, even though he can give Jennifer Aniston slightly larger breasts and make her orgasm from the other room – what a scamp. Your memory of this film might be tainted somewhat by Evan Almighty, but try to forget that ever happened, I’m sure Steve Carrell is doing something similar.

#8 – Ace Ventura: Pet Detective & Ace Ventura 2: When Nature Calls

A double entry now for Carrey’s role as the slick-haired comedy jester Ace Ventura. It’s hard to believe that Pet Detective is nearly twenty years old now, as it was many people’s first introduction to Carrey’s comic excellence. We all have our favourite moments (mine being the ventriloquist act with the man who looks EXACTLY like Mr. Monopoly) but what’s really refreshing, especially in this day and age, is how the character doesn’t suffer sequel-syndrome…which is my new term what I done invented about how sequels are invariably gash. When Nature Calls is, in fact, not gash.

#7 – Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events

Is it just me who loves this film? Well, I don’t care if it is. Carrey forms part of a great ensemble cast as the evil Count Olaf, playing it somewhere between petulant child and wicked super-villain. This film is worth seeing for the set design alone; the old house teetering on the edge of a cliff in particular is just spectacular.

#6 – Liar Liar!

Ah Ricky Gervais, as much as we think you’re a genius, why did you even attempt The Invention Of Lying when Liar Liar! still has us in stitches every time we watch it. And, AND, there’s a message at it’s heart. A message! Who doesn’t love a good knockabout comedy that makes you think, hmm?

5 – Me, Myself & Irene

One of The Farrelly Brothers’ best films sees Carrey as a Rhode Island State Trooper who, pushed over the edge after being walked on one too many times, develops a psychotic, sex crazed, manipulative alter-ego, who just happens to be bloody funny to watch. Packed full of great slapstick and with some hilarious lines, Me, Myself & Irene fully deserves its top 5 status here.

4 – Man On The Moon

Carrey again shows off his more dramatic acting chops in this biopic of comedian Andy Kaufman. Directed by Milos Forman, who did the wonderful One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (and the dog-shit that is Hair), the film haphazardly follows the biopic formula, skipping between Kaufman’s time on Taxi, his stand up shows and the infamous wrestling incidents, all the while showcasing Carrey in a new and brilliant light.

3 – The Mask

There’s so much to love about The Mask! The brilliant Roger Rabbit-style CGI, the amazing costuming, the liberal handling of Greek mythology, Cameron Diaz, the bit where the dog puts the mask on. The film feels like a brilliantly elaborate and anarchic Warner Brothers cartoon, with Carrey as The Mask somewhere between Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny. A classic 90s flick.

2 – The Truman Show

Looking back, The Truman Show seems to fit less and less in the realms of science fiction and more and more in keeping with the continuing fascination with reality television. Carrey walks a fine line in this film, half the happy family man, half the suspicious dreamer who wants to escape the bland, lifeless Seahaven. A film that I never tire of watching, and also possibly the only film to have its own psychological affliction whereby people think their life is a reality television show. Over 40 reported cases so far, dontchaknow…

1 – Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Absolutely no question about this one. One of the best films ever made, and Jim Carrey’s best performance by a mile. Carrey nails the neurotic, insecure Joel Barrish and even manages to throw in some of his physical comedy prowess when playing the child version of himself. Nobody expected him to bust out such a nuanced performance, but bust one out he did. Bravo Jim, Bravo.

Did we miss your favourite Carrey flick? Let us know below!