Ben Affleck's 10 Best Movies, According to Ranker | ScreenRant
Throughout the years, Ben Affleck's movie career has twisted and turned in several directions. From starring in mostly quiet dramas in the late 90s to action-packed political thrillers in the 2000s, and most recently as the Caped Crusader himself in the DCEU, there's almost no role that the actor seems unwilling to adopt.
Affleck has most recently starred in Adrian Lyne's erotic thriller Deep Water, which follows Affleck's character Vic as he becomes the lead suspect in a string of murders relating to his mysterious wife, played by Ana de Armas. As mentioned, the role is once again a huge departure for Affleck and proves his willingness to dive headfirst into almost any project.
10 Mallrats (1995)
Directed by Kevin Smith and following the exploits of two best friends who seek the comforts of the mall after being dumped by their girlfriends, Mallrats is certainly one of the more lighthearted and upbeat entries in Affleck's filmography. He plays the new boyfriend of one of these girlfriends, often getting a chance to shine his more comedic side.
Like many of Kevin Smith's movies, Mallrats has become somewhat of a cult classic in the years since its release. And although Affleck's role is only minor, his presence in this movie is still one of its more entertaining and memorable aspects.
9 State Of Play (2009)
State of Play is a Hollywood remake of a six-part British serial of the same name, which centers around one journalist's investigation into the illicit happenings of a Congressman's mistress. It's one of Affleck's more underrated and less discussed political thrillers, despite being a huge hit with audiences.
State of Play boasts an extremely complex and intricate screenplay that carefully navigates this exciting story, brought alive by co-stars Ben Affleck and Russell Crowe, alongside an all-star supporting cast including Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, and Jason Bateman.
8 Triple Frontier (2019)
One of Affleck's more recent entries on the list, Triple Frontier, is a thrilling crime drama that tells the story of five friends who reunite to take down a South American drug lord - and quickly reap the consequences. Affleck stars alongside Oscar Isaac and Pedro Pascal, who both bring this script to life with intense and memorable performances.
As far as crime thrillers go, Triple Frontier boasts pretty much everything you could ask for. With an eclectic and memorable cast, an invigorating and unpredictable narrative, and plenty of shocking twists and turns along the way, the film barely gives the audience time to breathe throughout its two thrilling hours.
7 Armageddon (1998)
Michael Bay's Armageddon has somewhat indisputably secured its place within the canon of disaster films, with many claiming that it's one of the best end-of-the-world movies out there. The film imagines a team of astronauts sent to stop a gigantic asteroid on a collision course with Earth.
When you think of over-the-top, dramatic sci-fi movies, chances are that Armageddon may enter your mind. Since its release in 1998, it's been praised as the very top standard in its genre, mostly thanks to the way that it embraces its own eccentricity and boldness.
6 Gone Baby Gone (2007)
Although he may not star in the film, Gone Baby Gone marks Ben Affleck's first time working behind the camera in the director's chair. The film follows a private detective (played by Ben's brother Casey Affleck) as he attempts to solve a seemingly impossible kidnapping case, encountering several seemingly unrelated issues along the way.
Although Gone Baby Gone might not ever reach the emotional highs or iconic status of some of Affleck's more recognizable films, it's still an extremely successful crime thriller that's sure to hook in any audience with its complex performances and gripping screenplay.
5 The Town (2010)
Also directed by Affleck, The Town sees the actor star in the lead role as Douglas MacRay, the leader of a group of criminals attempting one final robbery before bidding the lifestyle goodbye. It represents yet another action-packed thriller in Affleck's filmography, with the added touch of an outstanding ensemble and some truly exciting set pieces.
On top of the positive audience reception, The Town was also widely acclaimed by critics - with Jeremy Renner even receiving a Best Supporting Actor nomination from the Academy Awards for his work. Many might not know that The Town is actually based on true facts, which just makes the film all the more thrilling.
4 Argo (2012)
Perhaps Affleck's most recognizable movie after its huge Best Picture win at the Oscars, Argo tells the unbelievable true story of Tony Mendez, who managed to evacuate six US diplomats from Tehran by disguising them as the production team of a fake movie.
Many believe Argo to be one of the best Best Picture winners of the 2010s, and it's certainly hard to dispute that it's one of the most engaging and entertaining. Affleck's direction draws the most possible excitement out of this incredible story, and it's one that will have audiences on the edge of their seat from start to finish.
3 Gone Girl (2014)
Directed by the father of the crime/thriller himself David Fincher, Gone Girl is an adaptation of Gillian Flynn's novel of the same name. It chronicles the story of Nick Dunne, who becomes the lead suspect in a murder case when his wife suddenly disappears without a trace.
Many cite Dunne as Affleck's strongest and most compelling performance to date, most likely due to the immense pressure and emotional turmoil that the character undergoes throughout the course of the film. For anybody unfamiliar with Flynn's original novel, Gone Girl is sure to offer two of the most surprising and unpredictable hours of any modern thriller.
2 The Accountant (2016)
Although The Accountant may not have been a favorite among film critics, the intense action/thriller was a huge hit with audiences and left many claiming it to be one of Affleck's most exciting and gripping movies. It follows accountant Christian Wolff, whose illegal dealings with large financial corporations have caught the attention of the FBI.
Affleck plays Wolff fantastically, going beyond what is expected of a leading man and adding an extra layer of depth and complexity to the character through his refined performance. It's a film that's incredibly easy to lose yourself in, and much like many of Affleck's earlier works, will leave you on the edge of your seat throughout.
1 Good Will Hunting (1997)
Gus Van Sant's Good Will Hunting is so many people's favorite film of all time - and a lot of that comes from Affleck and Damon's tender and heartfelt screenplay. The film follows maths prodigy Will Hunting as he enters a tragic life of rebellion and crime, before forming a close relationship with his therapist Sean Maguire.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have collaborated on a variety of films, but it's Good Will Hunting that started it all. It's for this film that their professional partnership will always be remembered, and there are few better legacies that the duo could have crafted.