10 Essential Films With Matt Damon And Ben Affleck: From Oscar Wins To Their New Hollywood Empire

The enduring creative partnership between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is one of Hollywood's most compelling stories, spanning over three decades and a dozen films. As of today, December 10, 2025, their joint filmography continues to expand, transforming from early cameos to their current status as powerhouse producers and screenwriters.

Their journey began as childhood friends in Cambridge, Massachusetts, evolved into Oscar-winning screenwriters, and has now culminated in the launch of their own studio, Artists Equity. This article dives deep into every major film collaboration, highlighting their most recent and highly anticipated projects that cement their legacy as one of cinema’s most successful duos.

The Collaborative Profile: Matt Damon & Ben Affleck

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are American actors, screenwriters, producers, and directors, whose careers have been inextricably linked since childhood. Their shared history in the Boston area has provided a rich backdrop for many of their most celebrated stories.

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• Ben Affleck (Born: August 15, 1972):
  • Roles: Actor, Director, Screenwriter, Producer.
  • Notable Directorial Works: Gone Baby Gone, The Town, Argo (Academy Award for Best Picture).
  • Key Collaborations: Co-founder of Artists Equity.
• Matt Damon (Born: October 8, 1970):
  • Roles: Actor, Screenwriter, Producer.
  • Notable Film Franchises: Jason Bourne (The Bourne Identity, etc.), Ocean's Eleven.
  • Key Collaborations: Co-founder of Artists Equity.
• Joint Achievements:
  • Academy Award: Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting (1997).
  • Production Company: Co-founders of Artists Equity (November 2022).
• Early Life: Met as children two blocks apart in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and attended Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.

The Definitive List of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Films

Their joint filmography ranges from blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameos to starring roles in Academy Award-winning dramas. The following list focuses on their most significant on-screen and behind-the-scenes collaborations.

1. Good Will Hunting (1997)

This is the film that changed everything. Good Will Hunting is not just a collaboration; it is the foundation of their Hollywood success. Damon stars as Will Hunting, a troubled, unrecognised genius from South Boston, while Affleck plays his best friend, Chuckie Sullivan.

• Roles: Damon (Lead Actor, Co-Screenwriter), Affleck (Supporting Actor, Co-Screenwriter).
• Significance: They won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, making them the youngest writers to win the award at the time.
• Topical Entity: Directed by Gus Van Sant, the film also starred Robin Williams, who won Best Supporting Actor.

2. Air (2023)

A triumphant return to the screen and a landmark for their new production company, Artists Equity. Air tells the true story of how Nike secured the partnership with Michael Jordan that led to the creation of the Air Jordan shoe line.

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• Roles: Damon (Lead Actor as Sonny Vaccaro), Affleck (Director, Supporting Actor as Phil Knight).
• Significance: It was the first film fully produced by Artists Equity, their independent, artist-led studio founded in 2022.
• Topical Entity: The film was praised for its sharp script and its focus on the business and marketing genius behind the deal.

3. The Last Duel (2021)

A sprawling historical epic that marked their first co-writing effort since Good Will Hunting, nearly 25 years prior. They co-wrote the screenplay with Nicole Holofcener, adapting Eric Jager's book about France's last legal duel.

• Roles: Damon (Lead Actor as Jean de Carrouges, Co-Screenwriter, Producer), Affleck (Supporting Actor as Count Pierre d'Alençon, Co-Screenwriter, Producer).
• Significance: The film used a unique structure, telling the story from three different perspectives, with Damon and Affleck writing the male perspectives and Holofcener writing the female perspective.
• Topical Entity: Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jodie Comer and Adam Driver.

4. The Rip (Upcoming - 2026)

The most current and highly anticipated project, The Rip (sometimes referred to as RIP), is a crime thriller set for release on Netflix in January 2026. This film is a major indicator of the future direction of Artists Equity.

• Roles: Damon (Actor as Lieutenant Dane Dumars), Affleck (Actor as Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne).
• Significance: They star as Miami police detectives, marking their return to a gritty, on-screen partnership. The film is directed by Joe Carnahan.
• Topical Entity: The ensemble cast includes Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, and Sasha Calle.

Early and Cameo Appearances: The Lesser-Known Collaborations

Before their global fame, Damon and Affleck were jobbing actors who frequently crossed paths in minor roles, showcasing their early ambition and willingness to take on any part to break into the industry.

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5. School Ties (1992)

This prep school drama is one of their earliest shared credits. Damon played the antisemitic bully Charlie Dillon, while Affleck had a smaller role as Chesty Smith.

• Roles: Damon (Supporting Actor), Affleck (Supporting Actor).
• Significance: They shared the screen with a future generation of stars, including Brendan Fraser, Chris O'Donnell, and Anthony Rapp.

6. Chasing Amy (1997)

Released the same year as Good Will Hunting, this indie comedy from director Kevin Smith features Damon and Affleck as comic book creators.

• Roles: Damon (Actor as Holden McNeil), Affleck (Actor as Hunter).
• Significance: The film is part of Kevin Smith’s View Askewniverse, a shared universe that would see them return for later cameos.

7. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) & Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019)

As part of their ongoing friendship with filmmaker Kevin Smith, Damon and Affleck have reprised their roles from Chasing Amy in multiple cameo appearances across the View Askewniverse.

• Roles: Cameo appearances as their characters from Chasing Amy.
• Significance: These appearances are fun nods to their early careers and their enduring friendship with Smith.

8. Field of Dreams (1989)

A true deep-cut for fans. Both Damon and Affleck appeared as uncredited extras in this classic baseball fantasy film.

• Roles: Uncredited Extras (Damon was reportedly in the crowd at Fenway Park).
• Significance: This represents their earliest known on-screen appearance together, long before they became household names.

The Power of Artists Equity: Beyond Acting

The latest chapter in the Damon-Affleck story is their commitment to the business side of filmmaking. Launched in late 2022 with backing from RedBird Capital, Artists Equity aims to provide filmmakers and actors with a greater share of a film’s profits.

A New Model for Hollywood

The core mission of Artists Equity is to empower creators. They believe the traditional studio model often undervalues the talent, and their company is designed to be more fair and transparent. This philosophy was immediately evident with their first feature, Air, which was a critical and commercial success for the new venture.

• Strategic Partnerships: Artists Equity has recently signed a three-year theatrical feature film deal with Sony Pictures, solidifying their position as a major player in the industry.
• Upcoming Slate: Beyond The Rip, the company has several other projects in development, including Unstoppable and the sequel The Accountant 2, demonstrating their commitment to a consistent, high-quality output.

The duo’s transition from co-stars to co-CEOs of a major production entity is a testament to their ambition. Whether they are writing a period drama like The Last Duel or starring as cops in a modern thriller like The Rip, the collaboration between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck remains one of the most dynamic and influential forces in contemporary cinema.