The enduring partnership between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is one of Hollywood's most fascinating and successful collaborations, spanning over three decades from high school friends to Oscar-winning screenwriters and now, co-founders of a major production studio. As of late 2025, their shared filmography has grown to a remarkable 13 projects, with their latest ventures not just featuring them as actors but also as powerful producers shaping the industry through their company, Artists Equity.
This deep dive provides the most current, definitive list of every movie collaboration between the two Boston natives, from uncredited cameos in their youth to their latest, highly anticipated crime thriller, The Rip (set for a 2026 release). We explore the evolution of their creative dynamic, the films that defined their careers, and the new production model that is setting the stage for their next phase of Hollywood dominance.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck: A Collaborative Filmography and Biography
The story of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is one of shared ambition, beginning in the Cambridge, Massachusetts neighborhood. Their unique relationship has seen them transition seamlessly between acting, writing, directing, and producing, often simultaneously.
- Matt Damon (Matthew Paige Damon)
- Born: October 8, 1970 (Currently 55 years old in late 2025)
- Birthplace: Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Notable Roles: Jason Bourne (Bourne series), Mark Watney (The Martian), Linus Caldwell (Ocean's series).
- Oscar Wins: Best Original Screenplay (Good Will Hunting).
- Ben Affleck (Benjamin Géza Affleck)
- Born: August 15, 1972 (Currently 53 years old in late 2025)
- Birthplace: Berkeley, California, U.S. (Raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts)
- Notable Roles: Batman (DCEU), Nick Dunne (Gone Girl), Tony Mendez (Argo).
- Oscar Wins: Best Original Screenplay (Good Will Hunting), Best Picture (Argo).
- Shared Milestones:
- First Collaboration: Field of Dreams (1989 - Uncredited Extras).
- Major Breakthrough: Co-writing and starring in Good Will Hunting (1997).
- New Venture: Co-Founding Artists Equity (November 2022).
The Definitive List: Every Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Movie Collaboration (13 Films)
The following list includes every feature film where both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have appeared on screen or shared a primary creative role (writer, director, or producer), totaling 13 projects as of the 2025 update.
- The Rip (2026)
- Roles: Actors (Damon & Affleck), Producers (Artists Equity).
- Status: Upcoming. A crime thriller inspired by true events, set for a Netflix release, which has generated significant buzz for their return to the crime genre.
- Animals (2025)
- Roles: Actors (Damon & Affleck), Director (Affleck).
- Status: Upcoming. A kidnapping crime film produced for Netflix, marking another major collaboration under their new studio model.
- Air (2023)
- Roles: Actor (Damon), Director/Actor (Affleck), Co-Writers/Producers (via Artists Equity).
- Impact: Their first major project under Artists Equity, telling the story of Nike signing Michael Jordan. It was a critical and commercial success, proving the viability of their new artist-led studio.
- The Last Duel (2021)
- Roles: Actors, Co-Writers, Producers.
- Impact: Their first co-writing credit since Good Will Hunting, the historical epic showcased a mature, complex dynamic in their writing partnership, tackling themes of truth and justice in medieval France.
- Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019)
- Roles: Actors.
- Impact: A fun, self-referential cameo for both, reprising their roles from the 'View Askewniverse.'
- Gerry (2002)
- Roles: Actors, Co-Writers.
- Impact: A highly experimental, minimalist film directed by Gus Van Sant. It stands out as their most abstract and least conventional collaboration, focusing on two friends lost in the desert.
- Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
- Roles: Actors.
- Impact: Another Kevin Smith cameo, with Affleck playing Holden McNeil and Damon playing a fictional version of himself as Jason Bourne.
- Dogma (1999)
- Roles: Actors.
- Impact: Playing fallen angels Loki (Damon) and Bartleby (Affleck) in Kevin Smith’s controversial religious comedy, this film cemented their comedic chemistry post-Oscar win.
- Good Will Hunting (1997)
- Roles: Actors, Co-Writers.
- Impact: The magnum opus. This film launched them to superstardom, earning them the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and defining their legacy as a writing duo.
- Chasing Amy (1997)
- Roles: Actors.
- Impact: Affleck starred as the lead, Holden McNeil, with Damon making a brief appearance. It was a crucial stepping stone just before their Oscar win.
- Glory Daze (1995)
- Roles: Actors.
- Impact: A minor, early-career appearance for both.
- School Ties (1992)
- Roles: Actors.
- Impact: Their first significant on-screen appearance together, alongside a cast of future stars like Brendan Fraser and Chris O’Donnell. Damon and Affleck played prep school students in this drama about antisemitism.
- Field of Dreams (1989)
- Roles: Uncredited Extras.
- Impact: The true "start" of their film careers, where they appeared as baseball fans in the background—a perfect symbol of their shared journey.
The New Era: Artists Equity and Creative Control
The latest and most significant development in the Matt Damon and Ben Affleck saga is the formation of their production company, Artists Equity, launched in November 2022. This venture marks a shift from being Hollywood stars to industry architects, giving them an unprecedented level of creative control and a mission to empower other filmmakers.
What is Artists Equity?
Artists Equity is an artist-led studio designed to offer filmmakers and crew a share of the film's profits, aiming to create a more equitable model in Hollywood. Ben Affleck serves as the CEO, driving the company’s strategic vision. The company’s first major success, Air (2023), was a proof of concept, demonstrating that a mid-budget, star-driven project could be both critically acclaimed and financially rewarding under their model.
Upcoming Projects Under Artists Equity
The studio has a busy slate, confirming their commitment to both theatrical releases and streaming content through major deals with platforms like Netflix and studios like Sony Pictures.
- The Rip (2026): This is arguably their most anticipated direct collaboration since Air. The crime thriller is being produced by Artists Equity and will star both Damon and Affleck. The film's premiere was teased at Netflix Tudum, with a current expected release in early 2026.
- Animals (2025): Another Netflix project where Affleck directs and both star. This kidnapping thriller further solidifies their return to the genre they excel at—gritty, character-driven crime dramas.
- The Instigators: While Affleck is not listed as an actor, he is a producer alongside Damon, who stars in this Apple project. This showcases the company's broader goal of supporting projects where only one or neither of them is on screen.
The Evolution of Their Partnership: From Co-Stars to Co-CEOs
The journey of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck can be divided into three distinct phases, each demonstrating a different level of their professional synergy.
Phase 1: The Boston Hustle (1989–1997)
This phase was defined by their relentless pursuit of acting careers. After minor roles in films like Field of Dreams and School Ties, they wrote the screenplay for Good Will Hunting out of frustration and a desire to create roles for themselves. This period is the ultimate Hollywood underdog story, culminating in an Oscar win that changed their lives overnight.
Phase 2: Independent Paths and Cameos (1999–2021)
Following their success, both actors focused on establishing their individual careers. Damon became a global action star with the Bourne franchise, and Affleck transitioned into a critically acclaimed director with films like The Town and Argo. Their collaborations during this period were sporadic, primarily comprising fun cameos in Kevin Smith's films (Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob) and the experimental indie film Gerry. The 2021 epic The Last Duel marked a powerful return to co-writing, setting the stage for their next chapter.
Phase 3: The Moguls of Artists Equity (2022–Present)
The launch of Artists Equity represents their most ambitious collaboration yet, moving beyond creative roles into the business of filmmaking. Their focus is now on producing high-quality, profitable films like Air, while still finding time to star in passion projects like The Rip. This phase is characterized by a mature, strategic partnership designed to leave a lasting impact on the industry's economic model.
With a full slate of upcoming movies, including The Rip and Animals, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are not just reliving their glory days; they are actively reinventing the way movies are made, proving their partnership remains one of the most dynamic forces in modern cinema. Their commitment to fresh, impactful storytelling through their new studio ensures that their collaborative filmography will continue to grow for years to come.
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