5 best Matt Damon movies to watch as 'The Instigators' heads to Apple TV+
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: With his upcoming movie 'The Instigators' set to hit AppleTV+ on Friday, August 9, Matt Damon continues to showcase why he's one of Hollywood's most versatile and in-demand talents.
As an actor, screenwriter, and producer, Damon has built a reputation for delivering high-quality performances and projects that span a wide range of genres.
From Oscar-nominated dramas like 'The Martian' to action-packed blockbusters like the Jason Bourne franchise, Damon's filmography highlights his exceptional talent and versatility.
With a career spanning decades, Damon has continually pushed his boundaries, embracing new challenges and collaborating with innovative storytellers.
As we await the release of 'The Instigators', let's take a look at five essential movies from Damon's impressive body of work that showcase his incredible range and talent.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
The movie that transformed Matt Damon's career is 'Good Will Hunting' (1997). Co-written with Ben Affleck, Damon stars as Will Hunting, a brilliant young man from Boston who works as a janitor at MIT.
When Will solves a tough math problem, Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård) takes notice. After Will gets into trouble with the law, Lambeau offers him a deal: study math with him and see a therapist, Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).
With outstanding performances and a genuine script, 'Good Will Hunting' remains a beloved classic even decades later.
You can stream 'Good Will Hunting' on Max.
The Bourne Identity (2002)
Left for dead in the Mediterranean, Jason Bourne is rescued by an Italian fisherman. With no memory of his identity, he must rely on his instincts to survive. His skills soon become evident, showcasing elite fighting abilities, technical expertise, and fluency in multiple languages.
As he investigates his past, Bourne uncovers his life as a CIA operative and the agency's deadly plot to eliminate him.
'The Bourne Identity' is a gripping thriller with heart-pumping action, directed by Doug Liman and written by Tony Gilroy and William Blake Herron.
The film also cemented Matt Damon's status as a capable action hero.
You can stream 'The Bourne Identity' on Prime Video.
The Martian (2015)
Matt Damon stars as astronaut Mark Watney in 'The Martian', a movie based on Andy Weir's bestselling novel. The story follows the Ares III crew on a mission to Mars, but a fierce dust storm forces them to evacuate, leaving Mark behind, presumed dead.
However, Mark survives and finds himself alone on the red planet with limited supplies. With his quick wit and ingenuity, Mark must find a way to contact NASA and stay alive. As he puts it, he needs to "science the heck out of this" to survive.
Rent 'The Martian' on Prime Video and watch Mark's incredible journey.
The Talented Mr Ripley (1999)
Matt Damon shines as a villain in 'The Talented Mr Ripley', showcasing his range as an actor. With his charming smile and youthful appearance, Damon perfectly captures Tom Ripley, a con artist hired to persuade wealthy playboy Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) to return to the US.
Tom infiltrates Dickie's life, befriending him and his girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow), and becomes obsessed with living Dickie's life of luxury and power.
As Tom's desire for wealth and status grows, he resorts to lies, theft, and even murder to get what he wants. Damon's performance brings depth and complexity to the manipulative Tom Ripley.
Stream 'The Talented Mr Ripley' on Paramount+ to see Damon's chilling portrayal.
Air (2023)
Michael Jordan's extraordinary impact on basketball is matched only by his influence on sneakers through the iconic Air Jordan brand. The new movie 'Air' tells the story of how Nike signed Jordan and revolutionized the game.
In the early 1980s, Nike was a running shoe company with no basketball presence. To challenge Adidas and Converse, Nike's Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) persuades CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) to bet big on Jordan and build a basketball division around him. The key to signing Jordan? Winning over his mother, Deloris (Viola Davis).
With a talented cast and Affleck's expert direction, 'Air' turns the off-court drama into a thrilling story.
Stream 'Air' on Prime Video to see how Jordan became a global icon.
'The Instigators' trailer
'The Instigators' will premiere on AppleTV+ on August 9.