Ben Affleck's still a Hollywood powerhouse. Remember when he and his buddy Matt Damon won those Oscars for Good Will Hunting back in 1998? Since then, Affleck has won other major accolades, proved his skill as a director, and starred in countless films, from the flops to the box office hits and critical successes. Affleck began his career as a child when he starred in a PBS educational series in the '80s. In addition to his acting, producing, writing, and directing credits, he is also the co-founder of the Eastern Congo Initiative, a grant-making and advocacy-based nonprofit. He has also been a stalwart supporter of the Democratic Party over the years.

Meanwhile, Affleck remains a fixture among the tabloids, even to this day. In addition to his on-again-off-again relationship with J-Lo, Affleck's romantic involvement with other A-listers (including a publicized divorce from Jennifer Garner, with whom he has three kids) has been covered by entertainment news outlets without fail. Let's not forget, however, that Affleck is still a versatile actor, as proven in his latest collaboration with George Clooney. A Kevin Smith regular, he also recently appeared in a "crazy" scene-stealing role for Ridley Scott's film The Last Duel, as detailed in MovieWeb's review. As we await Affleck's next Hollywood project, here's a closer look at his top ten films to date.

Updated, November 2022: To keep the article fresh and relevant by adding more information and entries, this article has been updated by Rafa Boladeras.

10 Dazed and Confused (1993)

Dazed and Confused
Gramercy Pictures

Dazed and Confused tells the story of a group of high school kids on the last day of school in 1976. The movie had an incredible eye for casting, as many of the actors have had long careers (this was Mathew McConaughey's first movie). One of those actors is Ben Affleck, playing the senior bully, O’Bannion. Affleck enjoys playing the bro-iest of all the characters; someone whose only objective is beating up freshman because he can. This role showed that Affleck could be part of an ensemble, creating one memorable character (if hateful) in not that many scenes.

Related: Ben Affleck Talks Being 'The Single Unappealing Character' in Dazed and Confused

9 Dogma (1999)

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in Dogma
Lions Gate Films
Miramax

Loki (Matt Damon) and Bartleby (Affleck) are two fallen angels, expelled from Heaven by God, and forced to live their whole existence in Wisconsin until an opportunity presents itself to them that might lead the way back to Heaven. Dogma is a unique movie written and directed by Kevin Smith at the height of his powers, with a thorny subject and an incredible cast (Affleck and Damon, but also Linda Fiorentino, Chris Rock, Jason Lee, Janeane Garofalo, Salma Hayek, Alan Rickman, and Alanis Morisette as God). Affleck seems to be having the time of his life as the fallen angel, and hanging with his (real life) best friend, Loki (Damon). Although the role could have been two-dimensional, Affleck instills some hurt and evilness in his performance, while also showing how his character loves being a bad dude.

8 Good Will Hunting (1997)

Good Will Hunting (1997) by Gus Van Sant
Miramax Films

Good Will Hunting meant many things for Affleck and Damon, as it was the movie that announced to Hollywood that these two could be movie stars, but also showed they could be much more, as they wrote the movie and won an Oscar for it. Affleck plays Chuckie, Will Hunting’s (Damon) best friend. While Will’s story takes center stage, as he gets closer to his therapist, Sean (Robin Williams, RIP), Chuckie is always there to help his best friend. Affleck plays the working-class wise man with a heart of gold perfectly in one of his best movies of the '90s. Affleck’s most memorable scene is his “You know what’s the best part of my day?” speech, where he can not only show his acting chops but also all the vulnerability his character has been saving for this important moment.

7 The Way Back (2020)

The Way Back - Ben Affleck
Warner Bros. Pictures

Released during the pandemic, The Way Back is a tour-de-force by Affleck in a role; he has admitted is way too personal (both he and the character are alcoholics in recovery). He plays Jake Cunningham, a washed-up former high school basketball star, who starts training the high school team in order to get his life back. Affleck’s performance is raw and subdued, showing us why this character can’t stop drinking and how broken he is inside, trying to bottle up all his emotions. During the release, there was talk about how he could have been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor, and, although it didn’t happen, it would have surprised no one, as this is one of Affleck’s best performances in the last decade.

6 Chasing Amy (1997)

Chasing Amy
Miramax Pictures

In Chasing Amy, Holden (Affleck) a comic book artist falls for her friend, and lesbian, Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams). Although looking at it from a 2022’s point of view, the movie could be problematic, it’s undeniable the movie has some truths: you can ruin a great relationship because of your own insecurities. This was one of Affleck’s first leading roles, and he nails the opportunity in one of Kevin Smith's best movies. Affleck sells the many emotions his character is feeling, even when he’s very wrong, and makes us sympathize with him, showing he can play broad, and action hero, but also real feelings and confusion, in this small but sincere movie.

5 The Tender Bar (2021)

Affleck_Sheridan_Tender_Bar_2021_Amazon
Amazon Studios

Speaking of Affleck's Clooney collaboration, The Tender Bar follows a boy named Jr. (played mostly by Tye Sheridan) who seeks a replacement for his father who disappeared shortly after his birth. Jr. finds himself bonding with his uncle Charlie and the patrons at a bar in Long Island. Uncle Charlie is a charismatic individual and all of his friends are eager to initiate Jr. into their rituals. Jr. listens closely to the stories of these men and relies on these stories for guidance on how to live.

William Monahan's moving screenplay here is an adaptation of the 2005 memoir of the same name by J. R. Moehringer, where he recounts life growing up on Long Island. Clooney's laugh-out-loud film also stars familiar faces Daniel Ranieri, Lily Rabe, and Christopher Lloyd in juicy supporting roles. Overall, the small film received mixed reviews from critics, though Affleck was nominated for Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance. It's a scene-stealing character that earns a spot on our top-five list.

4 Hollywoodland (2006)

Affleck_Hollywoodland_2006_Focus
Via Focus Features

Superman has been all over DC Comics' recent feature films, but the beloved superhero also had his own television show back in the 1950s, Adventures of Superman, and was played by George Reeves. The actor mysteriously died in 1959 from a single gunshot wound. In the fictional plot of Hollywoodland, a private investigation is launched. Affleck is as dynamite as Reeves in a film that primarily features Adrien Body as the detective. The neo-noir also explores the lives of Toni Mannix (played by Diane Lane), who was involved in a long romantic relationship with Reeves and was the wife of MGM studio executive Eddie Mannix (played by Bob Hoskins). Reeves had ended the affair and became engaged to a younger woman, aspiring actress Leonore Lemmon (played by Robin Tunney). Lots of intriguing, real-life plot elements here make for a captivating film that received generally positive reviews.

Where does the film's title come from? Well, development for Hollywoodland began in 2001 when Focus Features purchased Bernbaum's script — which was actually titled Truth, Justice, and the American Way. Due to copyright issues with DC Comics, however, the film was retitled Hollywoodland.

3 Gone Girl (2014)

Gone Girl Ben Affleck
20th Century Fox

On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne reports that his wife, Amy, has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and a growing media frenzy, Nick's portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits, and strange behavior have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife? Such is the postmodern-marriage premise of Gone Girl.

The 2014 American psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher was written by Gillian Flynn, based on her 2012 novel of the same title. It also stars Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry, both in uniquely dramatic turns. The end result was a critical and commercial success, grossing $369 million on a budget of $61 million, becoming Fincher's highest-grossing film.

Pike's performance was widely acclaimed by critics, but Affleck certainly holds his own as the mixed-bag protagonist. "Performance-wise, it wasn't something that I've had to do, I don't think ever, as an actor," Affleck told NPR upon the film's release. "I haven't done many movies where there was a sort of thriller component like this."

2 The Town (2010)

Affleck_Renner_Town_2010_WB
Warner Bros.

The Charlestown neighborhood of Boston is renowned for churning out a high number of armed robbers, generation after generation. These robbers never leave their Charlestown life on their own volition, the neighborhood where there is an unwritten code to protect that lifestyle. The Town follows a foursome carrying out a mostly successful bank robbery, but due to circumstances, take the bank manager (Rebecca Hall) hostage for a short period before releasing her physically unharmed. They find out that she lives in Charlestown, so they want to ensure that she did not see anything that could incriminate them. As such, the foursome's leader (played by a never-better Affleck) begins a personal relationship with her.

This 2010 American crime thriller from Chuck Hogan's 2004 novel Prince of Thieves is based on actual events, believe it or not. It features an all-star cast that also includes Jon Hamm, Oscar-nominee Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper, and Slaine. It received praise from critics across the board, and was chosen by the National Board of Review as one of the top ten films of 2010. It's also one of the best movies Affleck has ever directed.

Related: Actors Who Became Great Directors

1 Argo (2012)

Cranston_Affleck_Argo_2012_WB
Via Warner Bros.

In 1979, the American embassy in Iran was invaded by Iranian revolutionaries and several Americans were taken hostage. However, six managed to escape to the official residence of the Canadian Ambassador and the CIA was ordered to get them out of the country. With few options, a CIA operative named Tony Mendez devised a daring plan: Create a phony Canadian film project looking to shoot in Iran and smuggle the Americans out as its production crew.

Screenwriter Chris Terrio adapted the screenplay for Argo from the 1999 book by Mendez, The Master of Disguise, and the 2007 Wired article by Joshuah Bearman. The film, starring Affleck as Mendez along with Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, and John Goodman in supporting roles, was produced by Grant Heslov, Affleck, and George Clooney. Despite the fact that the lack of historical accuracy was criticized, the finished product was praised overall, particularly for the acting and Affleck's direction. He rightfully took home the Best Picture Oscar at that year's ceremony.