The Definitive List: Every Film Matt Damon And Ben Affleck Have Made Together (Including Their Next Blockbuster In 2026)
The creative partnership between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is one of Hollywood’s most enduring and fascinating stories, evolving from childhood friends with a shared dream to Oscar-winning screenwriters and co-owners of a major production studio. Their joint filmography spans decades, encompassing everything from indie cult classics to massive box office hits, and their collaboration is arguably stronger than ever in late December 2025, with a string of new projects that continue to redefine their careers.
This article dives deep into the complete history of their on-screen and behind-the-scenes collaborations, highlighting the key films that cemented their legacy, the surprising box office flops, and the highly anticipated new projects, including the upcoming Netflix crime thriller, The Rip, set for release in 2026. Their journey together showcases a rare blend of acting talent, writing prowess, and sharp business acumen.
The Creative Partnership: A Complete Filmography and Biography
The story of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is inextricably linked, having grown up just two blocks apart in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their shared ambition drove them to Hollywood, where they famously shared an apartment and auditioned for the same roles. This bond transformed into a powerful professional partnership that has seen them take on roles as actors, screenwriters, producers, and directors.
Ben Affleck Profile
- Full Name: Benjamin Géza Affleck
- Born: August 15, 1972 (Age 53 as of late 2025)
- Birthplace: Berkeley, California, U.S. (Raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts)
- Key Roles (Non-Damon): Batman/Bruce Wayne (DCEU), Nick Dunne (Gone Girl), Tony Mendez (Argo, also Director), Rafe McCawley (Pearl Harbor)
- Oscar Wins: Best Original Screenplay (Good Will Hunting), Best Picture (Argo)
- Primary Roles in Collaborations: Actor, Director (Air, Animals), Screenwriter (Good Will Hunting, The Last Duel), Producer (Artists Equity)
Matt Damon Profile
- Full Name: Matthew Paige Damon
- Born: October 8, 1970 (Age 55 as of late 2025)
- Birthplace: Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Key Roles (Non-Affleck): Jason Bourne (Bourne franchise), Mark Watney (The Martian), Tom Ripley (The Talented Mr. Ripley)
- Oscar Wins: Best Original Screenplay (Good Will Hunting)
- Primary Roles in Collaborations: Actor, Screenwriter (Good Will Hunting, The Last Duel), Producer (Artists Equity)
Every Confirmed Film Collaboration (On-Screen Appearances)
Damon and Affleck have appeared in over a dozen films together, though many of their early roles were brief or minor. Their full list of on-screen collaborations includes:
- Field of Dreams (1989): Both appeared as uncredited extras in the baseball stadium crowd.
- School Ties (1992): Their first credited roles together. Damon played Charlie Dillon, and Affleck played Chesty Smith.
- Glory Daze (1995): A minor slacker comedy where Affleck had a starring role and Damon had a cameo.
- Chasing Amy (1997): Part of the Kevin Smith "View Askewniverse," with Affleck as the lead and Damon in a cameo.
- Good Will Hunting (1997): The breakout, Oscar-winning film they co-wrote and starred in.
- Dogma (1999): They starred as fallen angels Loki (Damon) and Bartleby (Affleck) in another Kevin Smith film.
- Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back (2001): Reprising their roles from Dogma.
- Jersey Girl (2004): A romantic comedy starring Affleck, with Damon in a cameo.
- Jay & Silent Bob Reboot (2019): Reprising their roles once more.
- The Last Duel (2021): Their first co-writing credit since Good Will Hunting, a historical epic directed by Ridley Scott.
- Air (2023): Damon starred as Sonny Vaccaro, and Affleck directed and co-starred as Phil Knight.
The Oscar-Winning Breakthrough and the Box Office Flop
The duo’s career can be segmented into distinct phases, marked by a monumental early success and a surprising recent box office failure, which ultimately led to a new, more powerful business venture.
The Phenomenon of Good Will Hunting (1997)
Good Will Hunting remains the foundational achievement of their partnership. The film, directed by Gus Van Sant, tells the story of Will Hunting (Damon), a troubled, unrecognised genius from South Boston, and his best friend Chuckie Sullivan (Affleck). The script was a passion project they wrote together, famously selling it to Miramax after a bidding war.
- Budget vs. Gross: Produced on a budget of just $10 million, the film went on to gross over $225 million worldwide, making it a massive financial success.
- Critical Acclaim: It received nine Academy Award nominations and won two: Best Supporting Actor for Robin Williams and, most importantly, Best Original Screenplay for Damon and Affleck, launching their careers into the stratosphere.
The Last Duel: A Critical Hit and Financial Tragedy (2021)
More than 20 years after their debut, they reunited to co-write and star in the medieval epic The Last Duel, directed by Ridley Scott. The film tells the true story of France’s last sanctioned duel, presenting the events from three different perspectives (Jean de Carrouges, Jacques Le Gris, and Marguerite de Carrouges).
Despite receiving generally positive reviews from critics and being selected by the National Board of Review as one of the top ten films of 2021, the film was a major box office disappointment.
It debuted poorly, making a meager $4.8 million in its opening weekend and earning the title of Ridley Scott’s worst-performing box office film at the time. The film’s critical success but commercial failure was a stark reminder of the changing theatrical landscape.
From Pearl Street Films to Artists Equity: The Business Evolution
The financial lessons learned from their collaborations, both successes and failures, propelled Damon and Affleck to take greater control over the production process, leading to the creation of their own studios.
Pearl Street Films and the Artists-First Model
In 2012, the duo established Pearl Street Films, a film and television production company based at the Warner Bros. studio lot. The company was responsible for developing various projects, including the Syfy series Incorporated.
However, Pearl Street Films was eventually succeeded in 2022 by a new, more ambitious venture: Artists Equity.
The Rise of Artists Equity and the Success of Air (2023)
Artists Equity was founded with a clear, artist-first mission: to provide profit-sharing opportunities for below-the-line talent (like cinematographers, costume designers, and editors) who traditionally do not receive back-end compensation. Ben Affleck serves as the CEO, while Matt Damon is Chief Creative Officer.
Their first major project under this new banner was the critically acclaimed biographical sports drama, Air (2023). The film chronicles the true story of Sonny Vaccaro (Damon) and the fledgling Nike basketball division's pursuit of a partnership with Michael Jordan. Affleck directed the film and played Nike co-founder Phil Knight.
Air was a significant success, proving the viability of the Artists Equity model. It was lauded for its sharp writing and performances, and its financial performance was a win for the new studio, demonstrating that their creative and business partnership was now fully mature.
The Latest and Future Collaborations: Animals and The Rip (2026)
The Damon-Affleck engine shows no signs of slowing down, with two major projects currently in the pipeline under their Artists Equity studio, ensuring their topical authority remains at the forefront of Hollywood news.
Animals (2024/2025)
Following the success of Air, the duo quickly lined up their next collaboration: the crime thriller Animals. In this film, the roles are slightly reversed from Air: Matt Damon is set to star, while Ben Affleck will direct and produce, continuing to leverage their complementary skills. The project is a Netflix thriller, further solidifying their relationship with major streaming platforms.
The Rip (2026): The Newest Confirmed Project
The most current and highly anticipated project is The Rip, a crime-thriller inspired by true events. This film is a major upcoming release that truly cements their status as a powerhouse duo in the 2020s.
- Confirmed Release Date: Worldwide premiere on Netflix on January 16, 2026.
- Genre: Crime Thriller.
- Key Cast: In addition to Damon and Affleck, the ensemble cast includes major entities like Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, Kyle Chandler, and Néstor Carbonell.
The continuous stream of high-profile projects like Animals and the 2026 Netflix release The Rip confirms that the partnership between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck has transcended simple acting collaboration. They are now industry titans, using their collective experience to produce, write, direct, and star in content that is both critically engaging and commercially successful, all while pushing for a more equitable business model through their studio, Artists Equity.
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