A Boston Drama Written by Two Hungry Newcomers Just Crashed the Apple TV Top 10

Some Oscar winning dramas never really fade, and this one has had a remarkable afterlife. Upon its wide release in January 1998, the film became a sleeper hit, grossing $226 million worldwide and landing nine Academy Award nominations. It was directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who also starred in it.

The story behind the script is almost as famous as the movie itself. After years of failed auditions and rejection, the journey of Affleck and Damon’s screenplay became legendary. In the end the film won two Oscars, best original screenplay for the duo and best supporting actor for Robin Williams, which remains his only Academy Award.

Now the drama is back in the spotlight on streaming. On the latest Apple TV Top 10 movies chart, ‘Good Will Hunting’ appears at number seven as a new entry, landing just below ‘The Dink’ at number six. It is a notable arrival for a film that is decades old and has been available to viewers for years.

For anyone who has never seen it, the setup is simple and deeply moving. Will Hunting has a genius level IQ but chooses to work as a janitor at MIT. When he solves a difficult graduate level math problem, Professor Gerald Lambeau discovers his talent, and a deal after an arrest sends Will to therapist Sean Maguire, played by Williams.

Part of its staying power may come down to how easy it is to find. The film can be streamed with a subscription on Apple TV and Paramount+, and it is also listed with rental pricing starting at $3.99 on the Apple TV Store. Its Apple TV listing shows a 97 percent score, a number that tells you how well critics and audiences have held onto it.

The reputation has barely changed over time. The film received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Williams’ performance and the Affleck and Damon screenplay. That mix of heartfelt drama, sharp writing and a lead pair of friends who built their own breakthrough is exactly why viewers keep coming back.

Seeing it climb into the Top 10 reminds us that a great story can find a fresh audience at any time. With Williams’ Oscar winning turn and the Damon and Affleck friendship at the center of it all, which scene from the film do you think hits hardest every time you watch it?