Christopher Nolan’s newest release, The Odyssey, has proven to be the must-see film of the weekend. Despite only recently receiving glowing reviews—earning a staggering 97 percent “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes—movie tickets are vanishing as soon as they’re available, outpacing even the buzzwords “IMAX 70 millimeter.” This runaway success is captivating audiences eager to indulge in a cinematic adventure.
For those unfortunate enough to miss out on securing a seat—or who are simply reluctant to endure a 3 a.m. visit to the cinemas just to catch Matt Damon portraying Odysseus, the legendary Greek hero trying to find his way home after the fall of Troy—fear not. A treasure trove of Matt Damon classics awaits you in the comfort of your living room. Best of all, these films are accessible without the hefty price tag of a theater ticket.
From the gripping tale of survival in The Martian to the unforgettable Good Will Hunting, there are seven exceptional Matt Damon films ready to stream on Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, and other platforms. So relax, because The Odyssey can always be enjoyed on the big screen next week.
Streaming on: AMC (requires a cable login), AMC+, or available for purchase or rental
If you can’t watch The Odyssey this weekend, I have good news for you: There is another very good movie about Matt Damon trying to get home, and it’s called The Martian. Based on the book of the same name by Andy Weir (aka the guy who wrote Project Hail Mary), this smart sci-fi film—anchored by Damon’s down-to-earth performance—will keep your eyes glued to the screen. Damon stars as Dr. Mark Watney, a botanist and astronaut left alone to fend for himself on Mars, after a NASA mission goes wrong.
Streaming on: Paramount+, Pluto TV (free with ads), Kanopy (with a participating library card), or available to buy or rent
It’s always a good time to re-watch Good Will Hunting, aka the Oscar-winning drama that Damon co-wrote with Ben Affleck, which launched both of their Hollywood careers. Damon delivered an iconic character and performance that has permeated every corner of pop culture: Will Hunting, the lower-class janitor/secret math genius, who solves an impossible equation left up on an MIT whiteboard. The father-son chemistry between Damon and the late, great Robin Williams has rightly earned its place among cinema history.
Streaming on: Paramount+, or available to buy or rent
After Matt Damon made a name for himself with Good Will Hunting, he stepped into the shoes of the fictional American con artist Tom Ripley, based on the 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. The chemistry between Damon and Jude Law in this film is off the charts, and Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, and Philip Seymour Hoffman also appear in the all-star cast.
Streaming on: Peacock, The Roku Channel, or available to buy or rent
George Clooney might be the face of the Oceans franchise, but these movies wouldn’t be nearly as fun as they are without Matt Damon’s Linus Caldwell, a skilled pickpocket and a key member of the heist team. (The team also includes Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, and Qin Shaobo.) The first movie is streaming on Peacock, and it’s a guaranteed good time!
Streaming on: MGM+, or available to buy or rent
If you’re a fan of both Matt Damon and celebrated filmmaker Martin Scorsese, good news: The pair teamed up on this 2006 film follows Irish Mob boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) and the young mole (Matt Damon) he’s groomed to infiltrate the Massachusetts State Police. From the all-star cast to the gritty, real aesthetic, The Departed is everything you want from a Martin Scorsese picture.
Streaming on: HBO Max, or available to buy or rent on digital
Now that it’s been six years since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, maybe you can watch Contagion and actually enjoy it as an entertaining disaster flick, sans panic attack. The film is directed by Steven Soderbergh, who often collaborates with Damon on films like Ocean’s Eleven and The Informant. In Contagion, Damon stars as an everyday guy whose wife and son are early victims of a deadly disease taking over the world.
Streaming on: Netflix
This recent Netflix original is the first proper, on-screen Matt-Damon-and-Ben-Affleck team-up in years. For that reason alone, the movie is worth a watch, even if it’s not amazing. Written and directed by Joe Carnahan—a director known for his action movies like The Grey and Narc—The Rip stars Damon and Affleck as two Miami cops who discover a large stash of cash in a cartel house. They know they don’t have much time before somebody shows up to get back the money. But unfortunately, in Miami, protocol dictates that police officers must count any seized cash on site. So, the team gets to work on counting the cash, while knowing the bad guys are closing in.