Ben Affleck’s Top 10 Thriller Movies Ranked

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Throughout over four decades in the industry, Ben Affleck has showcased versatility by assuming numerous roles. Beginning as a child actor, he left an impression with some unforgettable performances during his teenage years. As he matured, he transitioned into more complex roles as an adult. If you were to ask a crowd about the role they associate with him, you might get up to ten different answers. This is a testament to how effectively he’s expanded his repertoire and portrayed various characters.

He’s acted in films ranging from “School Ties” to “Chasing Amy”, “Daredevil”, and “Gigli”. Throughout, he’s delivered strong performances across various genres. Particularly notable is his work in the thriller genre. Not every film falls under the category of high-action, gunfight movies. He has established himself as a versatile actor capable of taking on both leading and supporting roles within thrillers, earning him a good reputation in this genre.

Given that “The Accountant 2” is now playing in cinemas and gathering widespread acclaim, let’s delve into Ben Affleck’s most gripping suspense films instead.

10
‘Reindeer Games’ (2000)

Following his Academy Award win for “Good Will Hunting,” Ben Affleck saw an incredible boost in recognition within Hollywood. He took on roles in romantic comedies, major productions, multi-star ensembles, and even more Oscar-winning projects over the subsequent years. One of those ambitious blockbusters was “Reindeer Games,” a 2000 film directed by John Frankenheimer, with Charlize Theron as his co-star. The plot revolves around a case of identity theft, which leads Affleck’s character – an ex-convict – to unwittingly become involved in a casino heist.

The film boasts an outrageous storyline, accentuated by intense gunfights and bursts of explosions. A star-studded cast including Danny Trejo, Donal Logue, Isaac Hayes, Clarence Williams III, Dennis Farina, and Gary Sinise adds to its appeal. Despite this, it failed to impress at the box office, earning only $32 million against a production budget of $42 million.

9
‘Paycheck’ (2003)

2003 proved to be quite an intriguing year for Affleck, marked by diverse roles. He took on the part of Matt Murdock, the blind crime fighter in Daredevil, a role that wouldn’t be his last as a superhero. However, he also appeared in the financial flop Gigli, a film infamously panned for its quality with a 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. A movie that didn’t receive enough attention was Paycheck, directed by renowned director John Woo. In this film, Affleck portrays a reverse engineer who develops projects for corporations but has his memory erased to forget the details.

Following the completion of a project for Aaron Eckhart’s character’s firm, he regains consciousness after memory erasure to discover a mysterious envelope and a group of nefarious individuals pursuing him. To unravel the reason behind the pursuit, he must decipher the contents of the envelope. This suspenseful film, reminiscent of Philip K. Dick’s works, also features Uma Thurman. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, it proved successful at the box office, amassing $117 million in earnings.

8
‘Changing Lanes’ (2002)

In a rephrased version, Changing Lanes presents a tale where Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson play characters who clash after a minor traffic collision. As the event spirals out of control, they become determined to ruin each other’s lives. The story unfolds as their lives intertwine in a complex web of revenge. This movie is not overly action-packed but offers suspenseful moments and strong performances by its leads.

Jackson, accustomed to thrillers, depicts his character as a man struggling financially and burdened by regrets over past decisions, yet harboring a sense of injustice towards society. Affleck embodies a diligent, ambitious young lawyer obsessed with his work. The film received praise from critics more than the audience, but it grossed approximately $95 million at the box office.

7
‘Armageddon’ (1998)

In 1998, during the summer season, a blockbuster movie titled “Armageddon” was unveiled over the Fourth of July weekend. This film turned out to be quite a money-spinner, grossing an impressive $553 million at the box office. The story revolves around Affleck, Bruce Willis, and other actors portraying oil drillers who are called upon by NASA to journey into space, land on an asteroid, and obliterate it before it can wipe out Earth. The movie has a typical popcorn movie vibe with its grand action sequences and mix of humorous and emotional dialogues.

In my humble opinion as a cinephile, Michael Bay’s direction takes us on a thrilling ride that’s hard to overlook, whether you’ve watched it or just caught a glimpse of it on TV. The ensemble cast, led by our two main stars, is truly stellar, with heavyweights like Steve Buscemi, Owen Wilson, Will Patton, Michael Clarke Duncan, Peter Stormare, William Fichtner, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Isaacs, and Liv Tyler gracing the screen. But what sets this movie apart? It’s got to be Ben Affleck’s DVD commentary – a conversation piece that has earned its legendary status.

6
‘The Sum of All Fears’ (2002)

In the fourth movie based on Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan character, The Sum of All Fears, Ben Affleck took on the role of the CIA analyst. This film is a gripping political thriller where Jack Ryan works diligently to prevent a potential war from breaking out due to escalating tensions. Tragically, Russia’s president is assassinated and an explosion occurs within the U.S., claiming thousands of lives. A hidden puppet master is manipulating events, attempting to create the illusion that Russia and the U.S. are on the brink of war with one another.

In the cast, you’ll find Morgan Freeman, Liev Schreiber, and Bridget Moynahan in supporting roles. Ben Affleck plays Ryan, who is shown as exceptionally intelligent and committed to his government. Previously, Alec Baldwin and Harrison Ford portrayed Ryan, while Chris Pine and John Krasinski have taken on the role since the film was made. The movie received mixed reactions from both critics and viewers.

5
‘The Accountant 2’ (2025)

Instead of opting for both movies in the series, I found it crucial to choose the one with a superior Rotten Tomatoes rating. The upcoming film, The Accountant 2, boasts an impressive 76% score from critics and a staggering 92% approval from audiences. Fans have been raving about the sequel, which amps up the violence and gunplay compared to the original. The initial installment revolves around Ben Affleck’s character, Christian Wolff, an autistic accountant who meticulously audits the finances of the rich and powerful to conceal illicit activities and money laundering.

The film unexpectedly became a success, generating $155 million at the ticket counter, and spawned a follow-up that delves deeper into Christian’s bond with his brother Braxton, portrayed by Jon Bernthal. Known as The Accountant 2, this sequel is being promoted as an action-packed thriller featuring intense confrontations between Affleck and Bernthal against their adversaries.

4
‘Triple Frontier’ (2019)

A gripping thriller set around ex-U.S. special forces operatives joining forces for a daring robbery, “Triple Frontier” was a 2019 Netflix film. Directed by J.C. Chandor and co-written with Mark Boal, this movie boasts an impressive ensemble cast as the special forces team, starring Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, and Pedro Pascal. This intense thriller keeps viewers on edge.

In my opinion, this film offers mind-blowing gunfights, beautifully captured amidst the stunning landscapes of Hawaii, standing in for Colombia. The settings are nothing short of enchanting, and the pace is relentless. Although their motives might not be noble, these characters make for an enthralling watch as they strive to regain some honor while orchestrating a grand heist.

3
‘Argo’ (2012)

In another film, Affleck portrays a CIA operative in the gripping drama known as “Argo”. Notably, this movie is considered one of Affleck’s best directorial efforts. The plot is inspired by real events, where a CIA agent masquerades in Tehran to save hostages from the embassy by posing as a film production crew. This thriller about captivity is remarkably suspenseful, filled with numerous nerve-wracking moments. However, it also includes some humor, primarily courtesy of Alan Arkin and John Goodman’s characters.

Both critics and fans highly praised Ben Affleck’s performance on-screen and his direction behind the camera. The movie generated $232 million at the box office, while also earning three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film offers a strong sense of authenticity, immersing viewers into the hostage situations. This political thriller is intelligently constructed and definitely deserves another watch.

2
‘Gone Girl’ (2014)

Upon its launch, the book drew immense fascination from the public, leaving them curious about how soon it would be turned into a film by Hollywood. In simpler terms, when Gone Girl was published, it sparked endless conversations among people. The movie went on to make $370M at the box office, marking a significant milestone in David Fincher’s career. Notably, Gone Girl is a two-person narrative featuring Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne and Rosamund Pike portraying his wife, Amy.

In the film, Amy mysteriously disappears, leading many to suspect Nick’s involvement. The narrative alternates between Nick’s perspective and Amy’s, much like Gillian Flynn’s novel. Affleck delivers a compelling performance as the grief-stricken and manipulated Nick, who is aware of his wife’s capabilities. However, Pike steals the show with her captivating portrayal that keeps viewers spellbound. This movie is filled with suspense, sensuality, and a chilling wickedness.

1
‘The Town’ (2010)

As a movie enthusiast, I recently had the pleasure of experiencing “The Town,” directed by and starring Ben Affleck. This crime thriller, set in Boston, is a testament to the genre, boasting one of the most gripping third acts in recent cinematic history. In the film, Affleck plays Doug MacRay, a skilled bank robber who finds himself drawn into a romantic entanglement with a bank teller (unwittingly) involved in one of his crew’s heists. The performance by Jeremy Renner as Affleck’s loyal friend, Jem, is nothing short of electrifying and truly memorable among contemporary portrayals of friendship on the silver screen.

In “The Town,” Boston plays a significant role, almost as if it’s another character within the film. Every aspect of the movie seems to embody the essence of Massachusetts. It provides an insightful look into the city’s makeup, its various districts, and the locals who call it home. The climax of the film takes place at Fenway Park, a scene that stands out as one of the greatest in heist movie history. “The Town” received a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $154 million at the box office.

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2025-05-05 04:38