The 10 Must-See Matt Damon And Ben Affleck Movies: From Oscar Wins To The 2026 Netflix Thriller 'The Rip'

The enduring partnership of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck has defined one of Hollywood's most successful and fascinating collaborations for over three decades. As of December 2025, the biggest and freshest news on the duo is their upcoming Netflix crime thriller, The Rip, a project that reunites them on screen and is set to premiere in January 2026. This latest venture underscores their commitment to their shared vision, particularly through their innovative production company, Artists Equity.

Their joint career is a masterclass in creative synergy, moving beyond acting to encompass screenwriting, directing, and producing. From their Oscar-winning breakout Good Will Hunting to their recent high-profile projects like Air and the soon-to-be-released The Rip, Damon and Affleck continue to shape the industry, proving that their childhood friendship, forged in the streets of Cambridge, Massachusetts, remains a powerful force in filmmaking.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck: A Dual Biography

The story of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is one of shared ambition and a lifelong bond that began in their youth in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They lived just two blocks apart, a proximity that would eventually spark one of Hollywood’s most iconic partnerships. Their early struggles and eventual triumph with Good Will Hunting became a legendary narrative of perseverance.

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Matt Damon (Matthew Paige Damon)

• Full Name: Matthew Paige Damon
• Born: October 8, 1970
• Birthplace: Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Academy Award winner (Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting), Golden Globe winner, star of the Bourne franchise, and lead in critically acclaimed films like The Martian and Ford v Ferrari. He is a co-founder of Artists Equity.

Ben Affleck (Benjamin Geza Affleck-Boldt)

• Full Name: Benjamin Geza Affleck-Boldt
• Born: August 15, 1972
• Birthplace: Berkeley, California, U.S. (Raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts)
• Career Highlights: Academy Award winner (Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting, Best Picture for Argo), Golden Globe winner, successful director (The Town, Argo), and star of blockbuster films including Gone Girl and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. He is a co-founder of Artists Equity.

The Latest Collaboration: What We Know About 'The Rip' (2026)

The most anticipated project on the horizon for the duo is the Netflix crime thriller, The Rip. This film marks a significant return to a gritty, high-stakes genre for the pair, moving away from the biographical drama of Air. The fresh details surrounding the production confirm that the "Bennifer" creative engine is running at full speed.

Plot and Production Details

The Rip is a true crime thriller that reportedly follows a team of Miami-based criminals. While specific plot details are tightly guarded, the film is directed by Joe Carnahan, known for intense action thrillers like Smokin' Aces and Narc. The movie is scheduled for a major Netflix release in January 2026. Both Damon and Affleck are starring in the film and are also producing it through their company, Artists Equity, ensuring their creative control over the project.

A Recent Collaboration Update: The 'Animals' Switch

Another high-profile Netflix thriller, Animals, was initially slated to star Matt Damon and be directed by Ben Affleck. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Ben Affleck stepped into the starring role, replacing Damon, while retaining his director position. This development, while meaning Damon will not appear on screen in Animals, highlights the constant flow of projects and the fluid nature of their collaborative roles—switching from actor to director to producer across their shared slate.

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A Complete Filmography: Every Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Movie Together

From uncredited extras to Oscar-winning screenwriters, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have shared the screen in over a dozen films. This list, presented chronologically, establishes the full topical authority of their on-screen partnership, showcasing their evolution from young aspirants to Hollywood power players.

1. Field of Dreams (1989): Their first, uncredited appearance. A brief, non-speaking role for both as baseball fans.
2. School Ties (1992): Their first credited roles in the same film, though they did not share significant screen time.
3. Good Will Hunting (1997): The breakthrough. They starred in and co-wrote the screenplay, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. This film solidified their place in Hollywood.
4. Chasing Amy (1997): Cameo roles in Kevin Smith’s romantic comedy.
5. Dogma (1999): Starring as fallen angels Loki (Damon) and Bartleby (Affleck) in another Kevin Smith production.
6. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001): Reprising their roles from Good Will Hunting and Dogma.
7. The Battle of Shaker Heights (2003): Damon and Affleck served as executive producers on this film, a project from their early production efforts.
8. Jersey Girl (2004): A brief, uncredited cameo by Damon alongside Affleck.
9. The Last Duel (2021): A major reunion. They co-starred, co-wrote the screenplay with Nicole Holofcener, and produced the historical drama directed by Ridley Scott.
10. Air (2023): The debut film from their new production company, Artists Equity. Affleck directed and starred as Phil Knight, while Damon starred as Sonny Vaccaro.
11. The Instigators (TBA): Damon stars in this heist film, with Affleck producing through Artists Equity.
12. The Rip (2026): Their next announced feature film where they both star and produce.

Artists Equity: Reimagining the Hollywood Studio Model

The foundation of Artists Equity in November 2022, co-founded with Gerry Cardinale of RedBird Capital, represents the most significant evolution in the Damon-Affleck partnership. The company’s mission is to create a new studio model that prioritizes creators and shares in the success of the project, addressing the historical imbalance between talent and studio.

Key Projects and Entities from Artists Equity

Artists Equity has quickly become a major player, focusing on high-quality, artist-driven projects. Their filmography is rapidly expanding, demonstrating the duo’s influence beyond their own starring roles.

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• Air (2023): The company’s debut film, a critical and commercial success that demonstrated their model's viability.
• The Instigators (TBA): A heist thriller starring Matt Damon and directed by Doug Liman, with Affleck producing.
• The Rip (2026): The upcoming crime thriller that reaffirms their commitment to starring in and producing their own content.
• Kiss of the Spider Woman (TBA): An upcoming film project.
• Documentaries: The company has also invested in non-fiction storytelling, with projects like The Merchants of Joy, Believers, and Turbulence in development.

The partnership of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is more than just a famous friendship; it is a successful business model built on mutual respect and shared creative goals. With the anticipation for The Rip building and the continued expansion of Artists Equity, their legacy is not just in the past, but firmly in the future of filmmaking.