Matt Damon Just Revealed the Comedy He and His College Friends Can Still Quote Word for Word

Actors get asked about their favorite films constantly, but the answers rarely reveal much beyond the expected list of prestige dramas and awards contenders. Every so often, though, a star lets their guard down enough to share something far more personal, the kind of movie that has nothing to do with their own career and everything to do with who they were before fame ever entered the picture.

That kind of candid moment came from Matt Damon, who opened up about his all-time favorite films during a conversation that revealed one particular comedy holds a special place in his life. Rather than sticking purely to prestige picks, Damon carved out space for a film he and his college friends have quoted for decades.

Damon named ‘Midnight Run’ as his pick for favorite comedy, explaining that he and his friends could probably quote every line of the movie back in college and high school. He added that even now, decades later in their fifties, he and those same friends can still pull obscure lines from the film and instantly crack each other up through text messages.

That kind of lasting connection to a single comedy stands out given the rest of Damon’s selections, which leaned heavily into prestige territory. His list also included ‘The Godfather Part II,’ which he called nearly perfect, praising its direction, writing and acting, along with a story about discussing the film with Martin Scorsese during production on ‘The Departed,’ where Scorsese jokingly explained his own preference for the sequel over the original by simply noting that character had more money.

Robert De Niro emerged as a clear throughline across several of Damon’s picks, with the actor acknowledging he had unintentionally included three different De Niro films on his list once it was pointed out to him. That De Niro connection extends directly to ‘Midnight Run’ itself, which stars the actor alongside Charles Grodin in one of his most beloved comedic performances.

Damon’s list rounded out with ‘Jaws,’ which he described as a terrifying yet perfect film, praising Steven Spielberg’s decision to keep the shark largely unseen as an act of brilliant restraint rather than a limitation. He also included ‘Dr. Strangelove,’ specifically citing Peter Sellers’ performance as the reason for its inclusion, admitting he debated between several different Sellers vehicles before ultimately settling on the Kubrick classic.

That willingness to include comedies alongside heavier dramatic fare fits within a broader pattern in Damon’s own career, which has consistently made room for lighter, more playful projects even as he built his reputation through prestige dramas and action films. His own comedic credits range from ‘Chasing Amy’ and ‘Dogma’ to memorable guest appearances on shows like ’30 Rock,’ along with more recent turns in films like ‘Drive Away Dolls.’

That comedic sensibility even shows up in some of his biggest franchise cameos, including winking appearances in ‘Deadpool 2’ and multiple ‘Thor’ films directed by Taika Waititi. Given his stated admiration for De Niro’s ability to pivot into comedy despite an already established dramatic reputation, it seems likely that same versatility helped shape Damon’s own approach to picking projects throughout his career.

For an actor whose filmography spans everything from Oscar-winning dramas to massive blockbuster franchises, hearing him single out a decades-old buddy comedy as the film he and his oldest friends still bond over adds a genuinely relatable layer to his public persona. It is the kind of detail that sticks with fans precisely because it feels less like a curated answer and more like a real glimpse into who he actually is outside of the roles he plays.

What movie do you and your own friends still quote decades later? Share your answer in the comments.