The Queue
Plus, here’s whether to press play or skip on a handful of new movies and shows.
09names – Still of Matt Damon in “The Martian.” (Twentieth Century Fox Film)
July 25, 2026 | 8:00 AM
3 minutes to read
In last week’s edition of The Queue, I wrote about Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” a movie I can’t wait to see again. This week, to change things up a little, I’m writing about Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.”
I’m joking (kind of). But the truth is, I can’t stop thinking about Matt Damon’s performance as Odysseus, and where that starring turn ranks among the Cambridge native’s very best roles.
This list is strictly based on Damon’s acting chops in the film, not the movie’s overall quality. With more than 75 big-screen roles to choose from, picking five (plus ten honorable mentions) means I will inevitably ignore one of your favorites — and I encourage you to email me and let me know.
Hopefully this list will provide a few weekend watch options while you struggle to locate an IMAX screening of “The Odyssey” that isn’t sold out already.
Matt Damon’s 5 best performances
09names – Still of Matt Damon in “The Martian.” (Twentieth Century Fox Film ) – (Twentieth Century Fox Film)
Honorable mentions: “Behind the Candelabra” (2013), “The Bourne Identity” (2002), “The Departed” (2006), “The Informant!” (2009), “Interstellar” (2014), “The Last Duel” (2021), “Margaret” (2011), “Ocean’s 12” (2004), “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), “Stillwater” (2021)
5. “The Martian” (2015): Damon is prized by directors for his natural everyman quality. That’s readily evident in “The Martian,” in which Damon (in his most recent Oscar-nominated performance) genuinely convinces us that an astronaut stranded on Mars would approach this life-or-death situation with humor and poise. (Prime Video, AMC+)
4. “True Grit” (2010): Some of Damon’s greatest performances are supporting ones, including this hammy role in The Coen Brothers’ 2010 western. As the vainglorious Texas Ranger LaBoeuf, Damon is eminently hateable, but ultimately redeems himself in the eyes of Rooster (Jeff Bridges) and Mattie (Hailee Steinfeld) despite his many missteps. (Paramount+, Pluto TV)
3. “The Odyssey” (2026): As I wrote in my review of the film, Damon shoulders a heavy load as Odysseus. He’s a complicated man: heroic and prideful; affable and hot-tempered; confident but tormented by demons (both inner and external). Add it all up, and it equals what will surely be Damon’s first acting Oscar nomination in more than a decade. (In theaters)
2. “Good Will Hunting” (1997): It’s a classic for a reason. Pugilistic one second and vulnerable the next, Damon’s Will Hunting won our hearts as a blue collar genius whose brilliance is only outmatched by the loyalty he shows his townie friends (Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, Cole Hauser). Someday, the “It’s Not Your Fault” scene will anchor a montage for Damon’s lifetime achievement award. (Paramount+, Pluto TV)
1. “The Talented Mr. Ripley” (1999): “Good Will Hunting” is unquestionably the movie that made Damon’s career. But after successfully playing a brilliant hothead from Boston, he needed to show Hollywood he had range. With the role of sociopathic con man Tom Ripley, who worms his way into the inner circle of spoiled playboy Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) and his girlfriend (Gwyneth Paltrow), Damon proved he was here to stay. (Paramount+)
Play or Skip
Have a show you can’t stop watching? Email me about it at [email protected], and your recommendation may appear in a future edition of The Queue.
This image released by Apple TV shows Mary Steenburgen, left, and Jake Johnson in a scene from “The DInk.” (Andrew Cooper/Apple TV via AP)
Press play on these new movies and shows:
“The Dink” (2026): Jake Johnson is amusing as an aging tennis pro trying to stop the incursion of pickleball at his dad’s (Ed Harris) country club before picking up a paddle himself and seeing the error of his ways thanks to his doubles partner (Mary Steenburgen). (Apple TV)
“Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie” (2026): Before directing “Blackberry” and the upcoming (excellent) Anthony Bourdain biopic “Tony,” Matt Johnson and comedy partner Jay McCarrol had a web series and TV show about two musicians trying (and failing) to book the same venue in Toronto. The goal remains the same in the movie, but the stakes (and the amount of time travel) has grown. (Hulu)
“King of the Hill” Season 15: The revival of Mike Judge’s long-running animated series continues to exceed expectations, with Hank, Peggy, Bobby and co. tackling issues old (menopause) and new (electric trucks) with heart and humor. (Hulu)
But go ahead and skip this one:
“72 Hours” (2026): This is actually one of the better Kevin Hart Netflix movies. But watching the comedian crash a bachelor party thrown by current “SNL” stars Marcello Hernández, Ben Marshall and Kam Patterson still doesn’t elicit enough laughs to make it worth your time. (Netflix)
End Credits
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Until next time, good stream hunting, everyone!
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