The Complete List: 9 Must-Watch Films With Matt Damon And Ben Affleck (Including Their 2026 Crime Thriller)

The enduring partnership between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is one of Hollywood’s most compelling and successful stories, spanning over three decades from childhood friends to Oscar-winning screenwriters and powerhouse producers. As of late 2025, their collaborative filmography continues to grow, moving far beyond their breakout hit, *Good Will Hunting*, into a new era of creative control with their production studio, Artists Equity. This article reveals every film they have appeared in together, detailing their roles and the significance of each project.

The most exciting news for fans is the anticipation for their upcoming Netflix crime thriller, *The Rip*, slated for release in early 2026, which promises to showcase the duo back on screen as a formidable pair of leads. From historical epics to gritty Boston dramas and modern corporate sagas, their joint projects offer a fascinating look at two careers intertwined by mutual respect and a shared vision for filmmaking.

The Affleck & Damon Filmography: From Cameos to Collaborations

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have appeared in a total of nine films together, with roles ranging from uncredited background extras to co-leads and co-writers. Their creative output has seen a massive resurgence in recent years, thanks in part to the founding of their production company, Artists Equity, in 2022. Here is the complete, chronological list of their joint film appearances.

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• Field of Dreams (1989): Uncredited extras in a crowd scene.
• School Ties (1992): Their first credited on-screen roles together, a prep school drama starring Brendan Fraser.
• Good Will Hunting (1997): Co-writers and co-stars. This film earned them an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
• Chasing Amy (1997): Cameo appearances in the Kevin Smith "View Askewniverse."
• Dogma (1999): Co-stars in the controversial religious satire, playing fallen angels.
• Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001): Cameo appearances as their *Good Will Hunting* characters.
• The Last Duel (2021): Co-stars and co-writers with Nicole Holofcener. Directed by Ridley Scott.
• Air (2023): Co-stars and co-producers through Artists Equity. Directed by Ben Affleck.
• The Rip (2026): Upcoming co-starring role in a Netflix crime thriller.

The Resurgence: A New Era of Creative Control (2021-Present)

After a two-decade gap following *Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back*, the Damon-Affleck partnership has entered a prolific new phase, marked by their desire to tell mature, complex stories and their shift into the role of powerful producers. This period has redefined their collaborative legacy, moving beyond their youth and into a focus on high-stakes, prestige projects.

The Last Duel (2021): The Return of the Screenwriters

The 2021 epic historical drama, *The Last Duel*, marked the first time since *Good Will Hunting* that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck officially shared a screenwriting credit. Directed by the legendary Ridley Scott, the film tells the story of France’s last sanctioned duel, with the narrative presented from three different, conflicting perspectives (a technique known as the Rashomon effect).

In the film, Damon took the lead role of Jean de Carrouges, the knight who challenges his former friend to a fight to the death. Affleck, sporting a chaotic blonde hairstyle, played the pivotal supporting role of Count Pierre d’Alençon, a politically important but morally dubious figure. Their collaboration with writer Nicole Holofcener ensured a balanced, nuanced script exploring themes of justice, power, and sexual violence in 14th-century France.

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Air (2023): The Birth of Artists Equity

The 2023 biographical drama *Air* was a massive success and the inaugural project for their new production company, Artists Equity, founded in 2022. The film tells the fascinating true story of how Nike, led by Sonny Vaccaro, desperately pursued a partnership with a then-rookie basketball player named Michael Jordan, leading to the creation of the Air Jordan shoe line.

Ben Affleck directed the film and starred as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, while Matt Damon starred as the tenacious Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro. The film was a critical and commercial hit, demonstrating that their creative and business partnership could thrive in the modern streaming and theatrical landscape. Artists Equity was founded with the mission to give filmmakers and actors a larger financial stake and creative voice in their projects.

The Upcoming Collaboration: The Rip (2026)

The most anticipated project on their joint slate is the Netflix crime thriller, *The Rip*, which sees the duo return to a gritty, action-packed genre. The film is directed by Joe Carnahan, known for his edgy, fast-paced thrillers. The project was first teased in 2024 and is officially slated for a January 16, 2026 release date, making it one of the freshest pieces of news regarding their work.

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Plot and Roles in The Rip

*The Rip* is described as a gripping crime thriller set in Miami, inspired by true events. The title refers to a practice where corrupt police officers keep—or 'rip'—money they find during a raid. Damon and Affleck will star as a detective duo, two Miami police officers who stumble upon a massive sum of cash during a raid, a discovery that inevitably leads to trust issues and high-stakes conflict. The film is expected to be a major highlight for Netflix, capitalizing on the magnetic on-screen chemistry that Damon and Affleck have perfected over decades.

The Foundation: Good Will Hunting (1997)

No discussion of the Damon-Affleck partnership is complete without acknowledging the film that launched them into superstardom: *Good Will Hunting*. The film is a testament to their ambition and perseverance, as they not only starred in the movie but also wrote the screenplay together.

Damon played Will Hunting, a troubled, uneducated genius from South Boston, while Affleck played Chuckie Sullivan, his loyal, working-class best friend. The screenplay won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1998, a victory that remains one of the most iconic moments in Oscar history. The film also famously starred Robin Williams, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, further cementing the film's legacy. The behind-the-scenes story of two young, hungry actors writing their own ticket to Hollywood is a foundational legend, proving that their partnership is built on an extraordinary creative synergy.

The Topical Authority of a Decades-Long Partnership

The relationship between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is more than a friendship; it is a powerful business and creative entity. Key entities and concepts that define their topical authority include:

• Artists Equity: Their production company, which signifies their commitment to empowering artists.
• Screenwriting Duo: The rare feat of winning an Oscar for writing and then returning to co-write a major epic (*The Last Duel*) 24 years later.
• Director/Actor Dynamic: Affleck directing Damon in *Air*, showcasing their mutual trust and respect for each other's craft.
• The Boston Connection: Many of their early and most famous films, including *Good Will Hunting*, are steeped in the culture and setting of their hometown.
• Frequent Collaborators: Their work with directors like Kevin Smith (in the *View Askewniverse* films) and Ridley Scott, as well as their upcoming partnership with Joe Carnahan on *The Rip*.

From uncredited extras in a baseball film to co-owners of a major production studio, the collaborative journey of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck continues to evolve. With a new crime thriller on the horizon and their production company actively developing new projects, their status as one of Hollywood's most enduring and successful partnerships is secure. Fans can look forward to more high-quality, creatively ambitious films from this iconic duo for years to come.