Matt Damon and Ben Affleck first met when Affleck was 8 and Damon was 10 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their friendship evolved into one of Hollywood’s most durable creative partnerships, spanning uncredited extra work to Oscar wins and multiple joint ventures.
At a Glance
- The pair started as teen extras in 1989’s Field of Dreams and won the Best Screenplay Oscar for 1997’s Good Will Hunting.
- They will appear together in Netflix’s The Rip on Jan. 16, 2026, and again in the 2026 crime thriller Animals.
- Projects range from medieval epics to reality television, totaling 15 shared credits across nearly four decades.
From early cameos to headline collaborations, every step of their joint résumé reflects a deliberate choice to keep working together even as their solo careers soared.
Early Breaks and First Credits
- 1989 – Both landed uncredited roles as Fenway Park spectators in Field of Dreams.
- 1992 – Played prep-school rivals in School Ties alongside Brendan Fraser.
- 1995 – Damon had a non-speaking part in the indie comedy Glory Daze, headlined by Affleck.
- 1997 – Damon briefly appeared in Chasing Amy, the film that helped launch Affleck’s leading-man status.
The duo wrote Good Will Hunting during this period, finishing the script in 1994 and releasing the film in 1997. The project earned them an Academy Award for Best Screenplay and positioned them as A-list talents.
Major Milestones After the Oscar
Dogma and Smith-Verse Cameos
- 1999 – Starred as fallen angels in Kevin Smith’s religious satire Dogma.
- 2001 – Reunited with Smith for Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, filming a mock sequel Good Will Hunting 2: Hunting Season.
Mentoring New Talent
- 2001-2005 – Co-created and co-produced Project Greenlight for HBO, giving first-time directors a shot at financing their debut features. They revived the series for a fourth season in 2015.
Rom-Com Detours
- 2002 – Affleck supported Luke Wilson in The Third Wheel; Damon popped in as an uncredited ex-boyfriend.
- 2004 – Damon played a public-relations executive interviewing Affleck’s character in Jersey Girl.
Recent Reunions
Medieval Collaboration
- 2021 – Co-wrote The Last Duel with Nicole Holofcener, each tackling separate character perspectives. Damon noted the structure “has more perspective” than Good Will Hunting because it alternates male and female viewpoints.
Corporate Storytelling
- 2023 – Affleck directed Air, casting Damon as Nike marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro and himself as company founder Phil Knight. The film charts Michael Jordan’s rookie-era shoe deal.
Netflix Deals
- January 2024 – Announced production of the kidnapping thriller Animals. Damon exited the lead role due to scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey but remains a producer; Affleck will direct, co-write and star. Release is set for 2026.
- Jan. 16, 2026 – The Rip debuts, placing Damon and Affleck among four officers who stumble on millions in hidden cash. Director Joe Carnahan told News Of Los Angeles the set atmosphere was “hysterical,” describing their banter as “the way brothers go at each other.”
Quick Note on Kevin Smith Projects
- 2019 – Returned for Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, with Affleck reprising Holden McNeil and Damon revisiting Loki.
Why Their Partnership Endures
Affleck and Damon’s relationship predates fame, offering built-in trust. Carnahan observed their “endless” on-set teasing mirrors real siblings. That comfort allows rapid creative decisions, whether swapping writing duties, directing each other, or producing outside projects.
Key Takeaways
- First shared credit arrived in 1989; 36 years later they remain active collaborators.
- Joint awards include an Oscar, multiple box-office hits and a cult following for Smith comedies.
- Upcoming 2026 releases-The Rip and Animals-show no sign of slowing the partnership.
