8 Great Matt Damon & Ben Affleck Movies You Have to Watch Before ‘The Rip’

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Netflix will release the film The Rip on January 16, 2026, and it’s expected to be a major hit. Directed and written by Joe Carnahan, the movie takes place in Miami and follows a group of police officers who discover millions of dollars during a raid. Instead of bringing them closer, the money creates conflict and leads to chaos.

Starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, along with Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, and Kyle Chandler, The Rip is shaping up to be a thrilling and suspenseful crime story. What’s particularly exciting is that Damon and Affleck are not only acting together again, but also producing the film through their production company, Artists Equity. They’ve consistently delivered strong work in Hollywood, from the acclaimed drama Good Will Hunting to the sleek crime thriller The Town, and The Rip continues their tradition of compelling stories in this genre.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck consistently deliver thrilling crime stories with well-developed characters and plenty of suspense. As we wait for their next film, it’s a great time to revisit some of their best work together – their combined film careers are full of compelling stories about crime and friendship.

8
‘Good Will Hunting’ (1997)


Miramax Films

The movie Good Will Hunting is a classic story about talent, friendship, and overcoming personal struggles. It follows Will (Matt Damon), a gifted young man working as a janitor at MIT. Though incredibly intelligent – revealed when he solves a difficult math problem – Will is haunted by his past and struggles with self-sabotage. With the help of Sean Maguire, a caring therapist, Will begins to confront his issues and unlock his potential.

Matt Damon gives a powerful and realistic performance, portraying the struggle between unrealized dreams and the anxiety of trying something new. He also co-wrote the film with Ben Affleck, who plays his close friend, Chuckie. The movie was a critical success, winning Academy Awards for its original screenplay and a supporting actor’s performance. It remains a compelling story about finding the bravery to pursue new opportunities, and the strong partnership between Damon and Affleck makes it a film worth revisiting.

7
‘School Ties’ (1992)


Paramount Pictures

The movie School Ties takes place in the 1950s and tells the story of David Greene, a Jewish student from a working-class family who receives a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school. He initially tries to hide his religious background to be accepted by his wealthy classmates, including Charlie Dillon and his friend Chesty Smith (played by Ben Affleck). When David’s secret is revealed, it challenges the friendships within the school and highlights the hidden prejudices of its privileged students.

The movie powerfully portrays the bonds of friendship while also exposing the damaging effects of prejudice, ultimately offering a deep look at identity and the need to feel accepted. The actors deliver nuanced performances, with Matt Damon especially compelling as Charlie, whose jealousy fuels the central conflict. It’s a thought-provoking drama that directly confronts issues of prejudice, and its exploration of betrayal foreshadows the more complex and morally ambiguous themes Matt Damon and Ben Affleck would later explore in their work together.

6
‘Air’ (2023)


Amazon Studios

The movie Air tells the story of how Nike took a big risk in the 1980s by signing Michael Jordan when he was just starting his career. The film shows how Nike built its brand around him. Ben Affleck, who also directs, plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight, and Matt Damon stars as Sonny Vaccaro, the scout who first recognized Jordan’s incredible talent.

I just saw Air, and wow, it really gets you feeling the pressure Nike was under! It’s amazing to see how much they risked everything on Michael Jordan. Viola Davis is incredible as his mom, Deloris – her negotiation scenes are key to how the whole deal went down and changed sports marketing forever. The movie feels so authentic with its snappy dialogue and attention to detail, and the chemistry between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is fantastic. It’s both a nostalgic trip and really inspiring. Honestly, it reminded me how great these two are when they tell stories about taking chances and sticking to your beliefs. Definitely check it out before The Rip comes out – it’ll give you even more appreciation for what they can do!

5
‘The Last Duel’ (2021)


20th Century Studios

Ridley Scott’s film, The Last Duel, is set in 14th-century France and tells a story of honor, betrayal, and the search for truth. The movie centers on knight Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and his wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer), who accuses Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), a former friend, of a terrible act. Ben Affleck plays Count Pierre d’Alençon, a powerful and scheming nobleman who impacts the unfolding events.

As a movie fan, I was really captivated by The Last Duel. It’s structured in three parts, each showing the story through a different character’s eyes, and it all builds to this incredible duel – apparently the last official trial by combat in France! It’s based on a true story that’s both disturbing and surprisingly informative. Plus, the performances are fantastic. Matt Damon is perfectly gruff as Carrouges, Adam Driver brings this cool, charismatic energy to Le Gris, and Ben Affleck is deliciously sly as the count. Honestly, it’s one of Ridley Scott’s most impressive films, and I definitely recommend checking it out.

4
‘The Departed’ (2006)


Warner Bros. Pictures

Martin Scorsese’s The Departed is a gripping crime thriller taking place in Boston. The story centers around a complex situation: Matt Damon plays Colin Sullivan, a spy working for the criminal boss Frank Costello (played by Jack Nicholson) within the police department. Meanwhile, Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Billy Costigan, an undercover cop who goes deep into Costello’s gang. Damon’s character is key to the film, representing the conflict between loyalty and betrayal.

The film becomes increasingly surprising as two men try to discover who the other really is. Its realistic and fast-moving style perfectly captures the feeling of living a secret life. A strong cast, featuring Mark Wahlberg and Martin Sheen, adds layers of tension to the complicated story of deception. The movie famously won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and while Ben Affleck doesn’t appear, Matt Damon’s performance showcases his ability to play characters with difficult choices and hidden depths.

3
‘The Town’ (2010)


Warner Bros. Pictures

Ben Affleck directs and stars in this intense crime thriller set in the tough neighborhood of Charlestown, Boston – a place known for bank robberies. He plays Doug MacRay, the leader of a group of experienced thieves, and Jeremy Renner is his unpredictable partner. During a recent heist, Doug finds himself connected to Claire, a bank manager played by Rebecca Hall, who was taken hostage.

With the FBI, led by a relentless agent played by Jon Hamm, closing in, Doug faces a difficult decision: stay with his criminal crew or pursue a fresh start with Claire. Ben Affleck directs with a gritty realism, beautifully capturing the atmosphere of Boston. Jeremy Renner delivers a powerful, Oscar-nominated performance, and the relationship between Doug and Claire offers moments of surprising warmth. Both critically acclaimed and popular with audiences, The Town feels like a spiritual successor to The Rip.

2
‘The Instigators’ (2024)


Apple Original Films

Let me tell you, Doug Liman’s The Instigators hits the ground running! Matt Damon plays Rory, a guy who’s really down on his luck and thinks a simple robbery with his buddy Cobey (Casey Affleck) is the answer. But things go south fast. Forget a smooth heist – this plan practically implodes the second it starts, and suddenly they’re on the run all over Boston with a lot of stolen money, some very unhappy politicians, and pretty much the entire city hot on their heels. It’s a wild ride!

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This movie has a wonderfully erratic pace, shifting unexpectedly between suspense and humor. The incredible supporting cast – including Hong Chau, Michael Stuhlbarg, Alfred Molina, and Ving Rhames – throws even more delightful chaos into the characters’ already wild journey. Matt Damon and Casey Affleck have a natural chemistry, playing off each other like an unlikely but effective duo. Made by Damon and Affleck’s own production company, Artists Equity, the film proves they’re dedicated to creating entertaining, engaging stories.

1
‘Triple Frontier’ (2019)


Netflix

Triple Frontier puts a fresh spin on the classic heist story, setting it in the South American jungle. The film follows a team of ex-Special Forces soldiers – played by Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, and Pedro Pascal – who team up to steal a fortune from a powerful drug lord. But their carefully laid plans fall apart when the massive amount of money they steal becomes a physical and moral burden.

Ben Affleck plays Tom “Redfly” Davis, a practical leader whose choices quickly lead the group into trouble, shifting the film from a big action movie to a tense survival story. What makes this film special isn’t just the action, but how it honestly shows the cost of wanting too much, which can be difficult to watch. Affleck brings a tired, worn-out energy to the role, revealing a more vulnerable side of himself. This makes it a good match for Matt Damon’s other crime-focused work, like The Rip, where the risks are huge and decisions are never easy.

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2026-01-05 23:05