Once among the highest-earning stars in the world, Jim Carrey has appeared in only three theatrical releases since 2018, each featuring an extremely fast hedgehog and Carrey sporting a comical mustache. Thanks to the astounding success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Carrey has overtaken some of the most legendary movie stars at the domestic box office, solidifying his position among the 25 highest-grossing stars in history. This is particularly impressive considering Carrey has operated largely in a semi-retired capacity.
In the Sonic films, Carrey plays the villain, an iconic role that has helped to generate a combined global total of nearly $1.2 billion. From these films, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 alone has contributed significantly, pushing Carrey’s career domestic total to an astounding $3.15 billion. This earnings milestone makes him the 25th-highest-grossing star globally, surpassing other prominent figures such as Bruce Willis, Ryan Reynolds, Nicolas Cage, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, Denzel Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Mark Wahlberg. The only actor ahead of Carrey on this illustrious list is Hugh Jackman.
It is remarkable that Carrey has achieved this impressive feat without starring in a Marvel or Marvel-adjacent franchise. While the Sonic movies have undeniably benefitted his career, much of Carrey’s earlier work consisted of one-off blockbuster hits. His highest-grossing film remains How the Grinch Stole Christmas, followed closely by Bruce Almighty. Throughout his career, 15 of his films have surpassed the $100 million mark in domestic grosses, dating back to classics like Dumb and Dumber and The Mask.
His average domestic box office gross stands at over $90 million, with a global average currently hovering around $150 million. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has already pulled in over $470 million worldwide, thanks in part to excellent reviews and an even better audience reception. Fans of Carrey can look forward to his likely return in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which is set for a 2027 release.
Carrey rose to fame in the early 1990s, delivering a string of hits that included Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Liar Liar. His stardom was so immense that he was able to carry challenging titles such as The Cable Guy, The Truman Show, and Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events to significant success. Currently, audiences can enjoy his dual performance in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, now available in theaters and for home viewing.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on this dynamic star and his exciting film ventures.
