In 1994, Jim Carrey achieved a rare milestone in Hollywood by having three films reach the number one spot at the box office in the same year. These films—Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb & Dumber—established Carrey as a major movie star. This remarkable feat had not been matched for over 30 years, until now.
Mason Thames Matches Jim Carrey’s Historic Achievement
Recently, Mason Thames has joined Carrey in this exclusive club by starring in three films that all debuted at #1 during their opening weekends. Thames’s journey began with Universal’s live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon. This film quickly became the highest-grossing entry in the beloved DreamWorks franchise.
Thames’s Noteworthy Films
- How to Train Your Dragon: A heartwarming fantasy that showcases the bond between Hiccup and Toothless.
- Black Phone 2: A horror sequel that builds on the suspense of the original film, with Thames reprising his role as Finney Blake.
- Regretting You: A romantic drama based on Colleen Hoover’s novel, highlighting the complex relationship between Thames and co-star McKenna Grace.
A Contrast in Acting Styles
The key difference between Thames and Carrey lies in the genres of their films. Carrey’s successful movies were primarily comedies that emphasized his unique physicality and comedic timing. In contrast, Thames has embraced a diverse range of genres, allowing him to exhibit different facets of his acting skills. Each film presents him in a different light:
- In How to Train Your Dragon, he portrays Hiccup as shy and withdrawn.
- His role in Black Phone 2 shows a character worn by his past experiences.
- In Regretting You, he shares a compelling on-screen chemistry with McKenna Grace, enhancing the film’s emotional depth.
Hollywood’s Lesson from Mason Thames
The current film landscape is challenging for many studios, with uneven box office results in 2025. This year, while some films like Sinners and A Minecraft Movie find success, others, such as Tron: Ares and The Smashing Machine, struggle. Thames’s success serves as a reminder for Hollywood to consider a broader approach.
Studios should think about diversifying their movie offerings, rather than focusing narrowly on franchises or new stars. Warner Bros. Pictures, under the leadership of Michael DeLuca and Pam Abdy, exemplifies this strategy with a string of successful films. Other actors can also benefit from following Thames’s example by exploring various roles to broaden their exposure.
Thames Reflects on His Success
Mason Thames expressed his gratitude for his remarkable year in film: “It’s been the craziest year of my life. I’ve been trying my best to soak it all in. I’m so fortunate.” While it remains to be seen if Thames will reach Jim Carrey’s level of stardom, his path forward is promising.
Upcoming Release: Regretting You
The film Regretting You is set to be released on October 24, 2025. Directed by Josh Boone, it features writing by Susan McMartin, Josh Boone, and Colleen Hoover, with production by Brunson Green and Robert Kulzer.
