Ben Affleck makes headlines for his Dunkin’ orders and his on-again-off-again relationships with Jennifer Lopez so much that you might have forgotten he’s still in movies.
Thankfully, the celebrated actor has a new movie dropping on Netflix this week called The Rip, a crime thriller that he co-stars in alongside his lifelong BFF Matt Damon.
In anticipation of The Rip, Watch With Us is taking a look back at Affleck’s career and ranking our favorite movies of his.
From The Town to Argo and Gone Girl, here’s our ranked list of Ben Affleck’s best movies.
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5. ‘Argo’ (2012)
Based on the real-life story of the “Canadian Caper,” Argo follows the 1979 capture of sixty-six staff from the United States Embassy in Tehran, six of whom escape and take shelter with Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor (Victor Garber). In order to secure their safe passage out of the country, U.S. CIA operative Tony Mendez (Affleck) devises an unconventional plan: he fabricates a sci-fi film production that has to scout for film locations in Tehran.
Directed by Affleck himself, Argo swept three categories at the 85th Academy Awards: Best Film Editing, Best Adapted Screenplay and, most notably, Best Film. Led by a tour de force performance from Affleck, Argo is a gripping and detailed biographical drama that furthered Affleck’s position as a genuine filmmaking talent, not just an actor.
4. ‘The Town’ (2010)
Another of Affleck’s directing efforts, The Town centers on a ruthless gang of robbers led by Doug MacRay (Affleck), who succeed at what they do through their lack of attachments to anyone and anything — save for Doug’s relationship to his brother and fellow criminal, hot-headed James (Jeremy Renner). But when Doug finds himself falling for one of his previous victims, bank employee Claire (Rebecca Hall), Doug’s loyalties are pushed to their breaking point.
With Affleck’s ever-confident direction, a revelatory performance from Renner and a top-notch screenplay (co-written by Affleck alongside Aaron Stockard and Peter Craig), The Town is an exceptional period heist film and romance drama that is lean, mean and technically brilliant. Favorable comparisons have been made between The Town and Michael Mann’s Heat, but Affleck is a directing force entirely his own.
3. ‘The Last Duel’ (2021)
In medieval France, knight Jean de Carrouges (Damon) was once known for being a formidable presence on the battlefield, while his squire, Jacques le Gris (Adam Driver), commands respect through his brains and eloquence, becoming a highly admired noble. But when de Courrages’ wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer), with accusations of rape against le Gris, King Charles VI (Alex Lawther) decides to settle the matter only one way: a duel to the death.
Based on the true story of one of the last officially recognized duels fought in France, The Last Duel is told in three chapters: through the eyes of de Carrouges, the eyes of le Gris and, perhaps most damningly, the eyes of Marguerite herself. This unique framing device gives the film a rich, engrossing texture, as we see the world as two men do, and how differently it looks from the perspective of a woman. Fans of historical character dramas won’t want to miss this movie.
2. ‘Good Will Hunting’ (1997)
Unrecognized but troubled genius Will Hunting (Damon) spends his days working as a janitor at MIT, when one day his skills are accidentally discovered by a professor named Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård). Wishing to help Will reach his full potential, Lambeau takes the young man under his wing. But when Will is arrested for an aggressive attack, Lambeau strikes a deal for leniency, so long as Will works out his emotional problems with therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).
Affleck and Damon officially broke into Hollywood with their Academy Award-winning screenplay for Good Will Hunting — an enduring feel-good film that is emotionally intelligent and brilliantly written. Led by a sensitive but powerful performance from Damon and a career-defining turn from Williams, Good Will Hunting remains a rewarding film that is sentimental in all the right ways.
1. ‘Gone Girl’ (2014)
Amy (Rosamund Pike) and Nick Dunne (Affleck) are the picture of marital bliss, but no one knows the problems that lurk under their carefully crafted facade other than them. In reality, Nick and Amy both lost their jobs during the recession and moved from New York to care for Nick’s dying mother, where he embarked on an affair with a much younger woman (Emily Ratajowski). As the film explores the Dunnes’ deteriorating relationship, further light is shed on Gone Girl’s inciting incident: Amy’s disappearance, with Nick being the prime suspect.
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David Fincher’s adaptation of Gillian Flynn‘s novel of the same name is a darkly funny satire of media, gender dynamics and contemporary expectations of marriage, packaged into an equal parts pulpy and prestige crime drama. Helmed by Pike and Affleck, giving some of the best work of their careers, the movie also features a terrific ensemble cast including Carrie Coon, Missi Pyle, Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry. After watching Gone Girl, you’ll understand why the “Cool Girl Monologue” is so iconic on social media.
