Ben Affleck has had a long and varied career in Hollywood, from critical darlings to blockbuster action films. This list ranks the actor, director, producer, and award-winning screenwriter’s best movies from Good Will Hunting to Batman.
Who is Ben Affleck?
Ben Affleck is one of the most successful Hollywood actors, having achieved success in acting, directing, producing, and screenwriting. He has starred in countless films and television shows, both critically-acclaimed and box-office hits. He rose to fame in the late 90s, when he co-wrote and starred in Good Will Hunting. His acting career has since blossomed, taking him from big blockbusters to independent films. His directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone, earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Director. He later went onto to wear the Batsuit as Batman, leading the DC Extended Universe trilogy. His body of work spans various genres, and this list ranks the best of his films.
-
Good Will Hunting (1997):
Good Will Hunting is arguably one of Ben Affleck’s most enduring films. It marked his break from television into film and earned him and co-writer Matt Damon an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The movie follows a private eye (Casey Affleck) who helps a young math genius (Matt Damon) solve a mystery. The story is poignant, focusing on the friendship between the two men and their struggles to overcome troubling pasts. The screenplay was also praised for being honest and emotionally resonant. -
Gone Baby Gone (2007):
This crime thriller marked Ben Affleck’s directorial debut. He also adapted the script from the novel of the same name. The story follows two private investigators who search for a missing four-year-old girl in a crime-filled Boston neighborhood. The film does not have a clear “good guy” or “bad guy”, which made it accessible to both critically acclaimed and box-office audiences. For his efforts, Ben Affleck was nominated for an Oscar for Best Director. -
Argo (2012):
Ben Affleck continued his successful streak with this critically acclaimed hostage drama. Argo tells the true story of a CIA operative (played by Affleck) who travels to Iran and attempts to rescue a group of Americans hiding in the home of the Canadian Ambassador. The movie earned seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. It won the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. -
The Town (2010):
The Town is another of Ben Affleck’s heist films, following a group of criminals as they plan a bank robbery. The movie establishes a no-holds-barred atmosphere, with plenty of gunfights and twisty plotlines. The film was a box-office success, earning nearly $100 million domestically, and was also praised by critics for its solid performances. -
Gone Girl (2014):
In Gone Girl, Ben Affleck acted opposite Rosamund Pike in this psychological thriller. The movie follows a man (Affleck) who is accused of murdering his missing wife (Pike). Brimming with suspense and dark humor, the film polarized viewers, but was generally well-received. The movie was a box-office success, grossing over $368 million worldwide and earning numerous awards. -
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016):
Affleck took on one of the most iconic roles in film history for this superhero flick. He took up the mantle of the Dark Knight face off against Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel. With a star-studded cast and visual effects, this movie was a monster success, grossing nearly $872 million worldwide. The film polarized viewers, with some praising its ambitious storyline and others criticizing the films’s bloated runtime. -
Justice League (2017):
Justice League marked the culmination of Ben Affleck’s Batman trilogy. In this installment, he joins together with other DC superheroes to form an alliance against a powerful threat. Although it was a box-office success, the movie was met with lukewarm reactions from critics and fans alike. The film has come to be viewed in a more positive light with time, and it remains a cultural phenomenon.
Ben Affleck is one of the most successful Hollywood actors, and this list ranks his best films from Good Will Hunting to Batman. Whether it be for his performance or for his behind-the-scenes work, Ben Affleck has consistently delivered films that have been both box-office hits and critically acclaimed. He has shown his talent in many genres, from crime thrillers to superhero films. Ben Affleck is sure to keep entertaining audiences for years to come.
