Variety names Good Will Hunting Matt Damon’s finest film role
Clayton Davis ranked Damon’s theatrical performances, with The Talented Mr. Ripley and The Odyssey close behind his Oscar-winning breakthrough.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
Matt Damon’s South Boston math prodigy still rules the résumé.
Variety chief awards editor Clayton Davis has placed Damon’s performance in “Good Will Hunting” at No. 1 in a new ranking of the actor’s best theatrical film work, putting the 1997 Gus Van Sant drama ahead of “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.”
Davis writes that “Good Will Hunting” remains Damon’s defining acting showcase. Damon played Will Hunting, an MIT janitor with a gift for mathematics, and co-wrote the screenplay with Ben Affleck. According to Variety, the film made more than $225 million worldwide on a reported $10 million budget and won two Oscars: supporting actor for Robin Williams and original screenplay for Damon and Affleck.
The ranking also notes that Affleck was 25 when he won the original screenplay Oscar, making him the youngest winner in that category, a record Variety says he still holds. Damon was 27.
Ripley and Odysseus land near the top
At No. 2, Davis selected Anthony Minghella’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” praising Damon’s turn as Tom Ripley opposite Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Variety says the Academy did not nominate Damon for the performance.
“The Odyssey,” Nolan’s 2026 adaptation of Homer, comes in at No. 3. Variety says Damon plays Odysseus as a worn-down warrior trying to get home, and reports that many critics have treated the performance as a career high. The film, according to the ranking, was shot entirely on IMAX 70mm and has been received as one of Nolan’s best-reviewed movies.
Damon’s 2021 drama “Stillwater” ranks fourth, with Davis highlighting his work as Bill Baker, a father trying to prove the innocence of his imprisoned daughter, played by Abigail Breslin. “The Departed,” Martin Scorsese’s best picture winner, follows at No. 5, with Damon recognized for playing corrupt cop Colin Sullivan.
Bourne, Mars and a fallen angel make the cut
The middle of the list gives Damon credit for range. The Coen brothers’ “True Grit” places sixth, Kevin Smith’s “Dogma” lands seventh, and “The Bourne Ultimatum” takes eighth. Variety notes that the third Bourne film won three Academy Awards, for film editing, sound mixing and sound editing.
Ridley Scott’s “The Martian” comes in ninth. Davis points out that Damon earned a lead actor Oscar nomination and won the Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy or musical, despite the film’s survival-drama setup.
“Saving Private Ryan” ranks tenth, followed by Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” at No. 11 and Clint Eastwood’s “Invictus” at No. 12. Variety says Damon received a supporting actor Oscar nomination for playing Springboks captain François Pienaar in “Invictus.”
Davis also lays out Damon’s wider awards history: five Academy Award nominations across four categories, including acting and original screenplay bids for “Good Will Hunting,” supporting actor for “Invictus,” lead actor for “The Martian” and best picture as a producer of “Manchester by the Sea.”
The list focuses only on theatrical films. Variety says Damon’s Emmy-nominated role as Scott Thorson in HBO’s “Behind the Candelabra” would likely have been included otherwise. Honorable mentions went to “Interstellar,” “Margaret,” “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Thor: Ragnarok.”
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.