10 Surprising Ben Affleck Movies You Totally Forgot About!

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The much-anticipated continuation from Ben Affleck, following his success with The Accountant, is slated for a release on April 25th, and fans are already buzzing with enthusiasm. The initial film was a financial triumph, raking in $155 million worldwide, and considering the success of recent sequels, it’s likely this new production will see even more earnings. However, Affleck and his crew will have to win over critics this time around, as the first film received a mixed response from them.

The sequel to “The Accountant” is an excellent choice for Affleck, as it solidifies his position among Hollywood’s elite actors. Throughout his career, he has appeared in numerous box-office hits, many of which have proven successful. From “Armageddon” to “Argo”, his successes are legendary. However, he has also been a part of some films that, despite promising stories, didn’t fare as well or where he played a less significant role.

10
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1992)

The tale of Buffy commenced with a movie titled “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. In this narrative, Buffy Summers, a typical high-school student portrayed by Kristy Swanson, aspires to attend an esteemed university someday. However, her ordinary life takes a turn when she learns that her fate lies in battling vampires.

Blink and You’ll Miss Him

Fran Rubel Kuzul and Joss Whedon’s clever screenplay positioned Buffy the Vampire Slayer as one of the top vampire films from the ’90s. Unfortunately, Affleck didn’t have a significant role in this production. The actor was only cast as an unnamed basketball player with a minor part – a reasonable choice given that he wasn’t yet widely recognized at the time, being still on his way to fame in the early ’90s. However, fortune favored him as he achieved success a few years later through Good Will Hunting.

9
‘Changing Lanes’ (2002)

In the movie Changing Lanes, Ben Affleck plays Gavin, a high-flying Wall Street attorney who encounters a particularly disastrous day when he collides with Doyle’s (Samuel L. Jackson) vehicle, an insurance salesman struggling with alcoholism. The rest of the day sees these two characters attempting to undermine each other, and tensions quickly escalate.

One of Affleck and Jackson’s Finest Performances

In the movie “Changing Lanes,” although the cars don’t travel far, the story certainly does. It tackles significant issues like alcoholism, divorce, financial troubles, and corporate misconduct within its complex plotline. Despite being deserving of major awards and creating a lasting impact, it was unfortunately overshadowed by another release – Spider-Man premiering around the same time.

8
‘Clerks II’ (2006)

Clerks II

The story continues from the ’90s film, focusing on a bunch of laid-back individuals who need to mature and broaden their perspectives as they have outgrown their carefree twenties. After losing their jobs due to a mishap at their convenience store, they secure new positions at Mooby’s, a vast fast-food conglomerate.

A Memorable Group Comedy

2006 Edinburgh International Film Festival’s Audience Award winner, “Clerks II,” offers a relatable portrayal of characters engaging in amusingly mundane activities, laced with plenty of adult humor. Be warned, it may not be suitable for those who are overly conservative. Some viewers might have missed that Ben Affleck graced the screen as a Mooby’s customer when the film first released. Although his appearance is brief, it leaves an impression. Don’t miss the intense argument scene.

7
‘Live by Night’ (2016)

In “Live by Night”, Ben Affleck took on both the roles of adapter and director, based on Dennis Lehane’s novel of the same title. The movie centers around Joe Coughlin (portrayed by Affleck), an Irish-American World War I veteran who, unlike his Boston police captain father, chooses a different path and engages in bootlegging during the Roaring Twenties. Trouble arises when he develops feelings for the girlfriend of a powerful crime boss.

There Are Better Prohibition Era Movies

In my opinion, “Live by Night” is more about style than substance, which was unexpected coming from an actor-director like Ben Affleck. The film’s costumes and locations are visually stunning, but it lacks the originality found in some classic mob movies. Regrettably, it didn’t quite measure up to those timeless classics. Additionally, it suffered significant financial losses at the box office, effectively ending any hopes of a sequel.

6
‘Surviving Christmas’ (2004)

At the peak of “The Sopranos” fame, James Gandolfini featured in a disappointing Christmas film alongside Ben Affleck. Titled “Surviving Christmas“, this movie revolves around Drew (Affleck), a wealthy yet isolated advertising executive, who hires Tom (Gandolfini) and his family to celebrate Christmas with him. Unsurprisingly, a whirlwind of chaos unfolds.

Tony Soprano vs Batman

In this movie, Gandolfini shines due to his consistent use of the intense character he played in “The Sopranos.” Unfortunately, Affleck fails to match his intensity, which resulted in a Razzie nomination for Worst Actor. The film itself was also nominated for Worst Picture but lost to “Catwoman.” Despite this, it’s worth watching because it fits the ‘so bad, it’s good’ category.

5
‘Runner Runner’ (2013)

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Justin Timberlake took on several roles, though many of them have since faded from memory. One such film you might not recall is “Runner Runner.” This movie features Justin as a Princeton graduate student who finds himself at odds with a gambling magnate (played by Affleck) following a poker scam that depletes his tuition funds. Intriguingly, the gambling tycoon then pulls him under his wing, leading to a series of events with unfortunate outcomes.

Could Have Been Better

Affleck doesn’t seem to fit the “villain” role very well, as the movies where he plays an antagonist have generally received negative reviews, including “Runner Runner.” Although the movie’s plot is intriguing and the suspense keeps viewers engaged, neither of the main actors appear fully committed to their performances. To make matters worse, it was released around the same time as “Gravity,” which overshadowed “Runner Runner” in terms of public interest.

4
‘Glory Daze’ (1995)

The series titled “Glory Daze” revolves around five university roommates who find themselves more apprehensive than excited as graduation draws near. Acknowledging the impending end of their college years, they strive to seize every remaining moment and cherish it.

Before the Glory Days

The movie earned just $15,000 at the box office and has remained relatively unknown until now. It’s not flawless, but it’s quite good. It leans heavily on typical college comedy themes, making it a great choice when you’re looking for something lighthearted. Besides Ben Affleck, this comedy features Matthew McConaughey, Brendan Fraser, and Matt Damon in supporting roles, ensuring solid performances throughout. If you’re in the mood for a laugh and some great punk rock tunes, this is definitely worth a watch.

3
‘Extract’ (2009)

In the story, Joel Reynolds, a stressed-out owner of an extract company, finds himself juggling one predicament after another. To add fuel to the fire, his marriage is on the rocks. Matters become even more intricate when his close friend Dean suggests that Joel should verify his wife’s loyalty.

Is Ben Affleck Funny?

Ben Affleck’s top movies aren’t typically comedies; instead, he excels in more serious roles. In fact, it seems Affleck isn’t great at making people laugh spontaneously, as demonstrated during The Roast of Tom Brady. If only Mike Judge had cast Steve Carell or Seth Rogen alongside him in Extract, the film could have been more successful. Unfortunately, that didn’t occur, and it only made $8 million – a significant amount less than what comedies were making during that period.

2
‘Jersey Girl’ (2004)

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez had a strong desire to collaborate during their initial romantic phase in the early 2000s. They started with the movie “Gigli,” followed by “Jersey Girl.” Unfortunately, neither of these films were successful at the box office. “Jersey Girl” is about a widowed father who has to learn to care for his daughter following his wife’s passing.

Affleck as a Fun Dad

According to The New York Times, Jennifer Lopez’s role in the film was diminished because there were concerns that the movie might bomb as severely as “Gigli.” However, despite this change, “Jersey Girl” turned out to be superior to its counterpart, effectively portraying the highs and lows of single fatherhood. If you get a chance, I recommend you watch it.

1
‘The Third Wheel’ (2002)

The movie “The Third Wheel” revolves around timid office employee Stanley (played by Luke Wilson), who unexpectedly gets a date with his long-time crush. However, their joy turns sour when they unintentionally strike a pedestrian with their car. Differing from the events in “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, they choose to aid the injured man, but instead of smooth sailing, he unexpectedly and humorously complicates their evening. Ben Affleck appears as Stanley’s friend in this film.

Failed to Impress in a Competitive Rom-Com Landscape

Unusual for a Ben Affleck movie, “The Third Wheel” skipped theaters and went directly to DVD sales. Lacking originality compared to other romantic comedies from the early 2000s, it didn’t perform well in the home market. The humor isn’t particularly witty, but the performances of Luke Wilson and Denise Richards make it worth a watch. Despite the weak jokes, the likeable main characters will keep you engaged, so you probably won’t find yourself dozing off.

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2025-02-15 23:08