🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Tom Shadyac
- Genre: Comedy, Mystery
- Release year: 1994
- Runtime (length): 1h 26min
- IMDb rating: 6.9/10 (336K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 48%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A super extra pet detective yells a lot, finds a missing dolphin, and outs a trans woman as the villain, which makes everyone throw up.
🍿 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Case Begins: Snowflake’s Disappearance
Ace Ventura, Miami’s eccentric pet detective, is hired to find Snowflake, the Miami Dolphins’ missing mascot. The team’s publicist, Melissa Robinson, seeks Ace’s help to recover the dolphin before the upcoming Super Bowl. Ace begins his investigation at the stadium, finding a peculiar clue.

Following the Clues: From Rings to Sharks
Ace’s investigation leads him to a wealthy suspect, Ron Camp, but a dangerous encounter with a shark tank proves Camp isn’t the culprit. Ace notices a missing stone on Camp’s 1984 AFC Championship ring, prompting him to investigate the ring’s owners. His investigation takes a turn when a team employee is found dead.

Unmasking the Culprit: Revenge and Revelation
Ace connects the case to Ray Finkle, a former Dolphins kicker who missed a crucial Super Bowl field goal in 1984. Finkle harbors a deep-seated resentment towards Dan Marino. Ace uncovers that Lieutenant Lois Einhorn, who’s been hindering his investigation, is actually Finkle in disguise, seeking revenge.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Ace Ventura (Jim Carrey): An eccentric and flamboyant pet detective hired to find the Miami Dolphins’ missing mascot.
- Melissa Robinson (Courteney Cox): The Miami Dolphins’ publicist who hires Ace and becomes his partner in the investigation.
- Lois Einhorn (Sean Young): The Miami Police Lieutenant who is initially dismissive of Ace, but later revealed to be the main antagonist.
- Dan Marino (Dan Marino): The Miami Dolphins’ star quarterback who is also kidnapped.
- Ray Finkle (None): A former Miami Dolphins kicker who harbors a deep-seated grudge and seeks revenge.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Ace Ventura: “Alrighty then!” – Ace’s enthusiastic catchphrase used to express agreement or excitement.
- Ace Ventura: “Do NOT go in there!” – Ace shouts this with exaggerated fear when warning Melissa about Einhorn/Finkle’s true nature.
- Ace Ventura: “If I’m not back in five minutes… just wait longer.” – Ace says this as he is about to go into a dangerous situation, showcasing his quirky sense of humor and bravado.
- Ace Ventura: “Alllllrighty then.” – Ace uses this as a kind of agreement
- Ace Ventura: “Your gun is digging into my hip.” – Ventura when being held at gun point.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $15,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $72,217,396
- Worldwide Gross: $107,217,396
💥 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched this movie when I was, like, 10, and I thought it was the funniest thing ever. Jim Carrey’s faces alone had me rolling. Re-watching it now, some of the jokes feel kinda dated, especially the whole thing with Einhorn. But still, the scene where he’s headbanging at the Cannibal Corpse concert? Pure comedic gold! It’s a nostalgic trip, even if it’s a little cringey now.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Jim Carrey’s physical comedy”
- “Viewers who enjoy 90s comedies”
- “Those looking for a lighthearted, silly movie”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Crude humor”
- “Transphobic content”
- “Suggestive scenes”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “While undeniably juvenile, Ace Ventura benefits from Jim Carrey’s manic energy, a goofy plot, and a willingness to be as absurd as possible.
- AllMovie: “As the movie that launched Carrey into superstardom, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a wild ride, filled with physical comedy and quotable lines that cemented its place in pop culture history. However, some jokes haven’t aged well.
- Entertainment Weekly: “Carrey’s energy is infectious, and while not every joke lands, the sheer audacity of his performance makes Ace Ventura a memorable, if sometimes uncomfortable, comedy experience. Prepare for over-the-top antics and some questionable humor.
Audience Reactions
Jim Carrey’s physical comedy and over-the-top performance were legendary.: Viewers praised Jim Carrey’s unique comedic style and quotable lines, even if the humor wasn’t always perfect.
The movie made me laugh, but definitely shows its age in its jokes.: Most people agreed it was a product of the 90s and it has some outdated themes.
Overall Consensus: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a classic 90s comedy carried by Jim Carrey’s high-energy performance, but its humor is now showing its age, especially its depiction of LGBTQ+ topics.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Jim Carrey improvised many of Ace Ventura’s eccentric mannerisms and lines, adding to the character’s unique and unpredictable nature.”
- “The role of Melissa Robinson was initially offered to several other actresses before Courteney Cox was cast.”
- “The scene where Ace Ventura mimics the cellist at the party by pulling his arm was entirely improvised by Jim Carrey.”
- “Cannibal Corpse’s appearance in the movie was due to Jim Carrey being a fan of the band and personally requesting their inclusion.”
🖥️ How to Watch Ace Ventura: Pet Detective?
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or buy it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, you might like these similar films:
- The Mask (1994): Also starring Jim Carrey in a wildly over-the-top comedic role, showcasing his physical comedy and improvisational skills.
- Dumb and Dumber (1994): Another iconic comedy from 1994 starring Jim Carrey, known for its silly and absurd humor.
- Police Academy (1984): Shares a similar brand of slapstick comedy and over-the-top characters.
- The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988): Similar comedic style with a goofy protagonist solving crime using unconventional and hilarious methods.
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988): Combines live-action with cartoonish elements and a detective story, appealing to fans of the absurd and the detective genre.
🛒 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Related Products
- Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Blu-ray: Own the hilarious movie that launched Jim Carrey’s career in high definition. A must-have for any comedy collection.
- Ace Ventura T-Shirt – Alrighty Then!: Show your love for Ace with this iconic catchphrase t-shirt. Comfortable and stylish, perfect for casual wear.
- Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Funko Pop! Figure: Add Ace to your Funko Pop! collection. A detailed and charming figure that captures his signature look.
- Ace Ventura Pet Detective – Diamond Select Toys Action Figure: A detailed and well-made action figure of the iconic pet detective, Diamond Select Toys brings Ace to life with screen accurate details!
🎧 Soundtrack
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where you can rent or purchase it. Check local listings for cable availability.
The film follows Ace Ventura, an unconventional pet detective, as he attempts to locate Snowflake, the Miami Dolphins’ missing mascot, before the Super Bowl.
The villain is Lois Einhorn, who is revealed to be Ray Finkle, a former Miami Dolphins player seeking revenge for a missed field goal that cost them the Super Bowl.
The film contains transphobic elements in its portrayal of the villain, Lois Einhorn/Ray Finkle, which has drawn criticism and sparked debate about representation and sensitivity in comedy.
🔥 Bonus Content
Ace Ventura destroyed the real detectives…😎
If you’re a fan of Ace Ventura’s over-the-top antics, then you’ll love this compilation of hilarious moments from the movie. Prepare to laugh out loud as Ace interacts with the local detectives in his own unforgettable way!
Ace Ventura Pet Detective COMBACKS
Get ready for a non-stop laugh fest with this compilation of Ace Ventura’s best comebacks and witty one-liners. Jim Carrey’s comedic genius shines through as Ace delivers hilarious zingers and quick wit.
David Alan Grier funny Jim Carrey story #shorts @howardstern
Join David Alan Grier for a hilarious anecdote from the premiere of Ace Ventura. Hear how he and Chris Rock’s initial skepticism turned into surprise as the film became a massive hit. This behind-the-scenes story offers a unique glimpse into the movie’s unexpected success.
The Art of ACE VENTURA: A Psychological Thriller in Disguise
Prepare to be surprised as this video analyzes Ace Ventura from a whole new angle. Discover how the film’s comedic facade cleverly disguises a psychological thriller, revealing hidden layers of suspense and intrigue.
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