The 10 Most Underrated Jim Carrey Movies, Ranked (From Least to Most Underrated)

Jim Carrey has starred in many iconic comedies that shaped a generation’s sense of humor. Beyond those big hits, he’s also shown his versatility in a variety of films – from realistic dramas to heartwarming family movies and quirky, sometimes dark, comedies. Each of these projects has its own unique story of how it was made, who worked on it, and when it came out.

This collection features ten films that are often overlooked despite being noteworthy. Each movie showcases unique directorial vision, premiered at film festivals, received awards recognition, and offers insight into its production and original goals.

‘The Cable Guy’ (1996)

I recently watched this hilarious and surprisingly dark comedy directed by Ben Stiller, and I was completely captivated! Jim Carrey is brilliant as this incredibly enthusiastic cable guy who just won’t leave Matthew Broderick’s character alone. It’s a classic Columbia Pictures production with a fantastic supporting cast – Leslie Mann, Jack Black, and George Segal all shine. What really stood out to me was the music; it’s full of great alt-rock from the mid-90s, and the film cleverly uses TV parodies that really reflect the movie’s themes about being obsessed with media.

Released in the summer of 1996, the movie gained attention for the exceptionally high salary paid to Jim Carrey at the time. Filming occurred primarily in and around Los Angeles, using various suburban and city locations to represent the characters’ homes and jobs. The film’s more serious and unconventional style was a change of pace from typical comedies and paved the way for Carrey’s future roles in more dramatic projects.

‘The Number 23’ (2007)

This suspenseful thriller, directed by Joel Schumacher, centers on a dog catcher who becomes obsessed with the number twenty-three after finding a self-published book that eerily reflects his own life. Jim Carrey stars alongside Virginia Madsen and Logan Lerman, and the film cleverly incorporates a novel within the story, where Carrey also portrays a different character.

New Line Cinema launched the film in early 2007, filming in and around Los Angeles and Southern California. The marketing campaign used numbers and hidden images as clues, and the DVD release featured different endings and bonus content that delved deeper into the film’s complex, puzzle-like story.

‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ (2020)

The movie blends live action with animation, starring Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik and James Marsden, with Ben Schwartz providing the voice for Sonic. After the initial trailer received feedback, Sonic’s design was reworked before the film was released. Jeff Fowler directed the movie, which is a family-friendly adventure featuring Carrey’s slapstick humor and inventive gadgets.

Paramount Pictures released the film globally at the beginning of 2020, and despite a year of changing movie release dates, it was a commercial success. A sequel, ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’, followed, and promotions with video game consoles and merchandise helped the movie appeal to both new and longtime fans.

‘Me, Myself & Irene’ (2000)

This comedy, directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly, follows a Rhode Island state trooper with a unique condition as he drives a woman across New England. Jim Carrey plays the trooper, showcasing his talent in a dual role, and Renée Zellweger co-stars. The movie blends the feel of a road trip with funny scenes focused on the characters, and the music features popular rock songs that fit the film’s pace.

Filming happened in Vermont and Rhode Island, using charming small towns as settings for the action and conversations. Released in June 2000 by Twentieth Century Fox, the movie was popular both in cinemas and on DVD/Blu-ray. A longer version and extra footage showed how much of the film was created through spontaneous performance on set.

‘I Love You Phillip Morris’ (2009)

Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, this film tells the true story of con artist Steven Jay Russell and his romantic relationship with another prisoner, Phillip Morris. Ewan McGregor also stars in the movie, which is based on reporting from Steve McVicker’s book. The film follows Russell’s numerous escapes from prison, his use of fake identities, and his various financial scams, all told at a fast pace and set in both Texas and Florida.

The film first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009. It had a unique release, showing in other countries before coming to North American theaters. The filmmakers shot scenes both on location and in studios, and they used title cards to help viewers follow the story’s timeline and the legal issues involved.

‘Yes Man’ (2008)

Directed by Peyton Reed, ‘Yes Man’ is a funny movie set in present-day Los Angeles. It’s based on Danny Wallace’s real-life story and stars Jim Carrey as a cautious loan officer who decides to say ‘yes’ to everything that comes his way. This leads to unexpected adventures, new talents, and plenty of humorous situations. The film also features Zooey Deschanel, Rhys Darby, and Bradley Cooper, with a playful emphasis on music, comedy, and local classes.

I was so excited to see this movie filmed all over the city – they really took advantage of beautiful locations like the Hollywood Bowl and the Korean Bell of Friendship! When it came out in December 2008, it was a huge success, and I wasn’t surprised. The story was easy to follow, and the funny visual humor worked perfectly for audiences everywhere. It was just a really fun, globally appealing film!

‘Horton Hears a Who!’ (2008)

The beloved Dr. Seuss story comes to life in this animated film, featuring Jim Carrey as Horton the Elephant and Steve Carell as the Mayor of Whoville. Directors Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino stayed true to the book’s playful rhymes and grand scope, while also giving Horton a more developed emotional journey and surrounding him with a lively cast of jungle creatures who respond to his belief in a minuscule world on a dust particle.

The studio created the animation using tools they’d previously developed for the ‘Ice Age’ films, focusing heavily on realistic fur and large crowd scenes, particularly in Whoville. Released by Twentieth Century Fox in March 2008, the movie quickly became a popular family favorite worldwide. Its success was boosted by educational programs that used the film to introduce Dr. Seuss’s stories to a new generation of readers.

‘Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events’ (2004)

Directed by Brad Silberling, this film combines the first three books from Daniel Handler’s series. Jim Carrey plays the villainous Count Olaf, constantly changing his appearance to create memorable scenes. The movie stars Emily Browning, Liam Aiken, Meryl Streep, and features Jude Law as the narrator, Lemony Snicket. The film’s look and feel are designed to be dark and whimsical, using real sets and dramatic lighting to create a storybook atmosphere.

Released in December 2004 through a collaboration between Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures, the film earned an Academy Award for its makeup and was also nominated for awards in art direction and costume design. The DVD release featured deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes commentary discussing how Olaf’s prosthetics were made and how visual effects were combined with the physical sets.

‘The Majestic’ (2001)

Directed by Frank Darabont, this film is a period drama set in 1950s California, during the height of the Hollywood blacklist. Jim Carrey stars as a screenwriter who suffers amnesia and is accidentally believed to be a returning war hero. This mistaken identity helps revive a struggling local movie theater. The film also features Martin Landau, Laurie Holden, and Hal Holbrook, and uses courtroom scenes to highlight the political issues of the time.

Warner Bros. released the film in December 2001, filming in coastal towns to create the look of main streets and piers. The movie’s visuals highlight cozy indoor scenes and classic theater signs, connecting the story to the culture of mid-20th century entertainment. Mark Isham’s music enhances the film’s emotional feel and its themes of community history and local pride.

‘Man on the Moon’ (1999)

As a film buff, I’m really fascinated by Miloš Forman’s take on Andy Kaufman’s life. The movie charts his journey from small clubs all the way to his TV work on ‘Taxi’ and those incredibly bizarre wrestling performances – it’s amazing how he played with the idea of who he really was, constantly blurring the line between performance and practical joke. Jim Carrey is phenomenal, not only playing Kaufman himself, but also taking on the role of his outrageous alter ego, Tony Clifton. Plus, the supporting cast with Paul Giamatti and Courtney Love is fantastic. I also loved how the soundtrack incorporated music by R.E.M., and there’s even an original song that nods to the film’s title.

Universal and Jersey Films produced the movie, which came out in late 1999, right around awards season. Jim Carrey won a Golden Globe for his performance in the film. Later, the documentary ‘Jim & Andy’ revealed how deeply Carrey prepared for the role and how the cast and crew dealt with his intense approach.

I’m curious to hear what Jim Carrey movies *you* think deserve more love! Let me know your underrated picks in the comments – I’m always up for discovering hidden gems and comparing notes with fellow fans. Maybe we can all find something new to enjoy!

2025-09-18 11:20