NEED TO KNOW
- Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, Mason Thames reflects on tying a 31-year-old box office record previously held by Jim Carrey
- The 18-year-old actor had three movies top the box office this year; the last time that happened was in 1994 for Carrey
- He notes that Carrey hasn't reached out to congratulate him yet, joking that he would not know what to do if he met the star
Mason Thames is opening up about achieving a feat that no one has managed since Jim Carrey in 1994.
This year, the 18-year-old actor, recently voted PEOPLE's Sexiest New Heartthrob, tied a 31-year-old box office record when three of his movies — How to Train Your Dragon, Black Phone 2 and Regretting You — topped the box office.
The last time that was achieved was in 1994 when Carrey, now 63, hit No. 1 at the box office with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask and Dumb and Dumber, according to Hypebeast.
New Line Cinema/Gett
Speaking to PEOPLE, Thames reflects on the impressive accomplishment, displaying modesty and saying that he is "still a bit lost for words" and "just honored."
However, he adds that he has not spoken to Carrey about their record.
"I would be so starstruck," Thames admits. "I don't know what I would even say if I gaot a message or I met him in person, but just kind of... I dunno, I'd probably just tell him, 'Thank you for making my childhood.' 'Cause you know, he did. He made everybody's childhood, Jim Carrey."
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Thames adds that "It really is an honor," saying, "It's so crazy."
The actor has come a long way since making his big-screen lead debut in 2021's Black Phone. Four years later, he tells PEOPLE that a lot has changed.
For starters, he jokes, "I'm not 5 [foot], 3 [inches] anymore, so I'm taller," saying, "That's also a big plus."
The young star says that he is in a phase of his life where people are typically "figuring out a lot" as they navigate between childhood and adulthood.
"I think for me it's been a really big learning curve and also doing it amongst this crazy, crazy job," he reflects. "It's a lot of fun."
Amanda Edwards/Getty
He continues, adding, "This whole year itself has been the craziest year of my life," saying that now he is "just soaking that in."
"And I'm finally back home, so I get to just relax and just kind of sit down for the first time this year, which is lovely," he says.
Thames also opens up about being named PEOPLE's Sexiest New Heartthrob, an honor that was bestowed upon him after more than 350,000 votes were cast in a poll held by PEOPLE.
Universal Pictures
"Thank you, guys. I don't know who voted, but I appreciate it," Thames humbly says. "I had so many of my friends [text] me about it, and they were all making fun of me. It was like, 'Oh, they're a big guy, whatever.' "
Despite their joking, the actor adds that his friends all thought it was "really great."
However, excited fans should hold off on reaching out to him via DMs to congratulate him.
"After winning the honor, I don't check my DMs. Like, I don't really check my DMs, but, uh, I mean, yeah, there's probably been some crazy stuff," he says.

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