Top 10: Matt Damon Movies

It’s uncommon that an actor’s breakthrough movie is one that they helped write themselves. Uncommon is certainly a word that can be used to describe Matt Damon. From his bust-out appearance in Good Will Hunting to his roles as an action hero, soldier, and avenging angel, Damon has managed to continually surprise people with the breadth of his roles and the depth of his acting. He consistently proves that he’s not just another golden boy.

10. Saving Private Ryan

While his role isn’t very large, Damon’s performance as the titular Ryan gives the film its impetus and drive and colors the search of the other characters. After all, if Tom Hanks is out looking for you, you better be up to snuff.

9. Rounders

Starring as an ex-poker player who is dragged back into the world of high-stakes poker, this film became a cult hit with enthusiasts as the mainstream popularity of poker grew.

8. The Bourne Ultimatum

The final film (at least for the moment) of the Bourne trilogy, Damon gets to show off as Jason Bourne, amnesiac secret agent, and showcase his action chops again. The film also won three Oscars for its sound and its editing.

7. The Bourne Supremacy

The middle film of the Bourne trilogy, Damon continues to be embroiled in intrigue regarding his past and the spy world. It’s like a soap opera, but with bombs and guns.

6. The Departed

Damon takes a relatively rare villain turn as a mob plant in the ranks of the Massachusetts State Police. This being a Scorsese movie, you know that can’t end well.

5. Ocean’s Eleven

As the final person recruited for Clooney’s casino heist, Damon’s pickpocket complements the cool of Clooney and Pitt and adds something of his own to the all-star ensemble cast.

4. The Talented Mr. Ripley

This was the film that proved that you could use Damon’s screen idol looks and easy charm and use him to play a villain. There’s probably no better person for the audience to want to literally get away with murder than Matt Damon.

3. Dogma

If there is an Angel of Death, there are many people who wouldn’t mind it if he looked a little like Matt Damon. In a pairing with buddy Ben Affleck, Damon makes that wish come true, as an ex-angel out to return home.

2. The Bourne Identity

The film that proved that “Matt Damon” and “action hero” weren’t mutually exclusive concepts, Damon takes names and kicks butt as a man with dangerous skills who, despite said skills, can’t remember who he is.

1. Good Will Hunting

The words “genius” and “janitor” don’t often go together. In Damon’s hands though, it produces a breakthrough performance that netted him and co-star Ben Affleck an Oscar for their screenplay and Robin Williams a Supporting Actor Oscar.

While we might be intrigued to see Damon take up the pen again and see what he can produce, his varied roles give us more than enough entertainment.