Ben Affleck Opens Up About The Movies He Is Proud To Call His Own
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have known each other long before Hollywood fame entered the picture, and their friendship has grown into one of the most recognizable creative partnerships in film.
The two met as kids in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and have stayed closely connected as their careers moved forward together. Over the years, they have spoken openly about how rare it is to have that kind of trust in such a competitive industry.
Back in 1999, Damon spoke to The Los Angeles Times about watching Affleck rise to superstar status. He shared that it can still feel strange seeing his best friend viewed as a global icon. Damon explained that Affleck’s appeal comes from how real he feels on screen, saying audiences respond because the real him comes through.
Their bond has never been limited to friendship alone, as it has consistently shaped their professional choices. One of their most important moments came with Good Will Hunting in 1997, a film they co-wrote and starred in. That project not only earned them Academy Awards but also set the tone for how deeply connected their careers would remain.
Years later, that same connection helped bring Air to life in 2022. The film focused on Nike’s efforts to sign Michael Jordan and reunited the two friends both on screen and behind the scenes.
In an interview with People magazine, Damon described his relationship with Affleck as everything to me and admitted his life in the industry would have been much harder without him.
Damon also noted how important it has been to have someone to talk to over the last 25 years while navigating fame. He explained that having a trusted voice makes the chaos of celebrity life feel manageable. That history explains why Affleck, when asked in 2021 about his favorite films from his own career, immediately mentioned Good Will Hunting.
Affleck did not stop there when naming his personal top three. He also pointed to his work as a director, choosing Gone Baby Gone and The Town as the projects he feels closest to. Those films marked a turning point where he fully stepped into storytelling behind the camera.
Since then, Affleck has continued to focus on stories driven by emotion and moral tension. Much of this work has been made through Artists Equity, the production company he founded with Damon. The goal, according to both men, has been to support filmmaker-driven projects and fair creative partnerships.
As of February 2026, their collaboration is still going strong. They recently appeared together in the Netflix action thriller The Rip, which premiered on January 16, 2026. Directed by Joe Carnahan, the film follows two Miami police officers who stumble upon $24 million and face impossible ethical choices.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a 79% rating, with critics highlighting the natural chemistry between the two leads. Many reviews noted that the story works best when it leans into their long-standing friendship. It feels less like acting and more like two people who genuinely know each other.
Affleck is also busy behind the scenes with his next directing project, a crime thriller titled Animals. Originally, Damon was attached to star, but he had to step away due to a scheduling conflict with a Christopher Nolan film. As a result, Affleck took on the lead role himself.
The film stars Gillian Anderson and Kerry Washington and centers on a political candidate whose child is kidnapped. The story pushes the parents into dangerous territory as they fight to save their son. It marks another dark and intense chapter in Affleck’s directing career.
Outside of film, Affleck recently returned to familiar territory with a Dunkin’ Super Bowl commercial titled Good Will Dunkin’. The ad featured a playful nod to his Boston roots and included a surprise cameo from Tom Brady. The spot quickly went viral and reminded fans of his comedic side.
Do you think Ben Affleck does his best work behind the camera or alongside Matt Damon on screen? Share your thoughts in the comments.
