Ben Affleck's Action Movies Ranked From Disasters to Masterpieces
From superhero misfires to Oscar-winning triumphs, we examine every action thriller in Ben Affleck's career and reveal which films showcase his best and worst performances in the genre.
Ben Affleck has built a Hollywood career filled with action-packed movies. The actor gravitates toward stories packed with moral dilemmas and high-pressure situations. Some choices paid off brilliantly. Others fell flat.
His journey through action cinema shows remarkable growth. From early stumbles to Academy Award victories, Affleck never stopped pushing forward. Here's how his action thriller filmography stacks up, from bottom to top.
The Bottom Tier: Early Missteps
Reindeer Games (2000) sits at the bottom of Affleck's action catalog. He plays Rudy Duncan, an ex-con trying to start fresh who gets pulled into a heist. Affleck brings likability to the role, but weak writing sinks the film. The plot feels forced and the script lacks punch.
Hypnotic (2023) ranks just above it. Affleck stars as Detective Danny Rourke, haunted by his daughter's disappearance. The movie throws psychics and mysterious figures at viewers, but nothing clicks. Critics found it underwhelming despite some fun twists. The execution simply doesn't match the concept.
Justice League (2017) disappointed fans worldwide. Joss Whedon's version couldn't save the DCEU heroes or the film itself. Affleck's Batman performance remained solid, but the movie around him crumbled. Zack Snyder's later cut proved the story had potential.
Superhero Struggles and Mixed Results
Daredevil (2003) marked Affleck's first superhero role as blind lawyer Matt Murdock. The character fights crime in Hell's Kitchen by night. Charlie Cox's later TV portrayal showed how much better this character could be. Affleck tried hard, but the story felt uneven and dull.
The Accountant (2016) represents a turning point. Affleck plays Christian Wolff, a brilliant accountant on the autism spectrum who also happens to be deadly. The movie received generally positive reviews and spawned a sequel. Action scenes impressed audiences, and Affleck's portrayal felt authentic.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) should have been epic. Watching DC's biggest heroes clash physically and morally had massive potential. The film barely scratched the surface of what could have been. Still, Affleck and Henry Cavill delivered strong performances with great chemistry.
Finding His Footing
Triple Frontier (2019) teams Affleck with other actors as former Delta Force operatives. They reunite to steal $75 million from a drug lord. Affleck plays Tom Davis, showing brotherhood and desperation as a struggling veteran. Reviews were mixed, but it's worth watching once.
Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) redeemed the original's failures. The four-hour director's cut released during the pandemic received much better reviews. Everything improved in this version. Though the DCEU didn't survive, this stands as one of its best offerings.
Changing Lanes (2002) shows how quickly ordinary situations can spiral out of control. A minor car accident between Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson's characters escalates into mutual destruction. Both men sabotage each other's lives while racing to important court dates. The movie grips viewers, though some found the ending less satisfying.
The Top Tier: Affleck at His Best
The Accountant 2 (2025) brings back Christian Wolff alongside his estranged brother, played by Jon Bernthal. They work together to uncover a conspiracy. The chemistry between leads adds real depth to the story. Both actors impressed with intense action and martial arts sequences.
The Last Duel (2021) reunites Affleck with Matt Damon in Ridley Scott's epic. Based on true events, the film unfolds in three chapters showing different perspectives of the same incident. Affleck plays a supporting role as an arrogant, corrupt character. Marguerite's accusation against Le Gris drives the narrative forward.
The Town (2010) showcases Affleck as both director and star. He plays Doug, a skilled bank robber leading his crew into a heist gone wrong. Affleck delivers a layered performance in this widely praised film. Smart writing elevates the entire production.
Argo (2012) tops the list as Affleck's greatest action thriller achievement. He directs and stars as CIA operative Tony Mendez during the Iran hostage crisis. Mendez creates a brilliant plan to rescue American diplomats. The film won multiple Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. This real-life story showcases Affleck at his absolute peak.