Jim Carrey movies: best films and how to watch as actor turns 60 - from Ace Ventura to The Truman Show

Canadian-American actor Jim Carrey is known for the huge variety of films that he has starred in across his award winning career - and on Monday 17 January, the actor celebrated his 60th birthday.

To celebrate the actor’s birthday, these are the best films that Carrey has starred in - and how you can watch them.

The Truman Show

In The Truman Show, Carrey stars as Truman Burbank, the oblivious star of the world’s longest reality TV series - the story of his own life. The island where he works is the largest set ever built, and everyone in his life from his parents to his wife and best friend are all actors.

As things get weirder and weirder, Truman knows that something isn’t right - but with the whole world watching, will he be able to figure out the truth?

Where to watch: available to stream with a Netflix account or a NowTV Cinema Pass, or is available to rent through Google Play or Amazon Prime

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Boasting a star studded cast, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind enjoys performances from the likes of Kate Winslet (Titanic, Mare of Easttown), Kirsten Dunst (Fargo, Melancholia), Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight, I Know This Much is True), Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency), and of course Carrey as well.

The film tells the story of Joel who is shocked to learn that his girlfriend, Clementine, has elected to have their rollercoaster of a relationship erased from her memory via a new treatment. Joel decides to go ahead and do the same - but as his memories start to fade, he quickly realises how much he still loves her.

Where to watch: available to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon Prime or the Sky Store

Liar Liar

Attorney Fletcher Reede is a habitual liar who is forced to only tell the truth for 24 hours following a wish from his son Max on his fifth birthday, after yet another empty promise sees him fail to turn up for his birthday party.

While a variety of hijinks ensue as Fletcher finds himself unable to tell even the tiniest of white lies, the heart of the film comes as Fletcher fights to keep his son in his life after his ex-wife plans to move them both to a different city.

Where to watch: available to stream with a Netflix account, or available to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon Prime or the Sky Store

Bruce Almighty

Despite a successful career as a TV reporter and a beautiful girlfriend, Bruce Nolan remains unsatisfied with his life, feeling that the universe treats him unfairly. After a particularly terrible day, Bruce angrily ridicules God, blaming him for ruining his life and claims that he could do a better job.

But when the Almighty responds and gives Bruce all his divine powers, it doesn’t take long before he figures out that being God isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Where to watch: available to rent or buy from Google Play, Amazon Prime or the Sky Store

The Mask

In his day to day life, Stanley Ipkiss is a meek and timid bank clerk - that is until he accidentally discovers a magical mask which contains the Norse god of mischief, Loki.

When wearing the mask, Stanley finds himself transformed into a supernatural playboy. However, when under the influence of the mask, Stanley robs a bank, something which angers crime lord Dorian Tyrell, whose goons get blamed for the crime.

Where to watch: available to stream with a Netflix account or an Amazon Prime account, or alternatively available to rent or buy from Google Play or the Sky Store 

The Cable Guy

While The Cable Guy was originally released to pretty mixed reviews in 1996, it has since evolved into something of a cult classic. Directed by Ben Stiller, The Cable Guy marked a darker tone for Carrey versus his previous performances.

Carrey stars as an eccentric cable installer who, in a desperate bid to make a friend, becomes obsessed with a customer - and it doesn’t take long before things get sinister.

Where to watch: free to stream, with ads, on IMDb TV via Amazon Prime, or available to rent or buy from Google Play or the Sky Store 

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Ace Ventura is an ex-cop who has taken on a new role as a private eye who specialises in finding missing animals, and in this film he is tasked with finding the missing mascot and quarterback of the Miami Dolphins.

Where to watch: available to stream with a Netflix account, or available to rent or buy from Google Play, Amazon Prime or the Sky Store

Dumb & Dumber

Carrey teams up with Jeff Daniels as two good-natured (but incredibly stupid) friends who travel across America in a bid to return a clients briefcase.

Where to watch: available to stream with an Amazon Prime account, or to rent or buy from Google Play or the Sky Store

I Love You Phillip Morris

I Love You Phillip Morris is based on the true story of a charismatic con man who transforms from a small town businessman into a flamboyant white-collar criminal.

Turning to fraud in a bid to shake his life up, it’s not long before Russell’s criminal antics land him behind bars - but it’s here that he meets Phillip Morris. Head over heels in love, Russell is determined to devote his life to being with Phillip no matter the consequences.

Where to watch: available to buy or rent from Google Play or Amazon Prime

Man on the Moon

Man on the Moon is a biopic of the controversial comedian Andy Kaufman, played by Carrey. The film follows Kaufman’s life from childhood through to finding fame on shows like Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman and Fridays.

Where to watch: available to watch for free on the BBC iPlayer 

Additionally, the behind the scenes documentary of the making of Man on the Moon, called Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond, was released in 2017. The documentary shows how Carrey maintained his persona as Kaufman throughout the production of the film.

Where to watch: available to stream with a Netflix account

Dr Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

While the festive season is now behind us for another year, it would be criminal not to include How the Grinch Stole Christmas in a roundup of Carrey’s best performances.

In the magical land of Whoville, Christmas is the most magical and beloved time of the year - but living atop Mount Crumpit, which overlooks Whoville, is the Grinch, a fuzzy green creature who absolutely abhors Christmas and the residents of Whoville, and decides to put an end to the holiday once and for all.

Where to watch: available to stream with NowTV Cinema Pass, or available to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon Prime or the Sky Store

A message from the editor: Thank you for reading. NationalWorld is a new national news brand, produced by a team of journalists, editors, video producers and designers who live and work across the UK. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going. You can also sign up to our newsletters and get a curated selection of our best reads to your inbox every day.