Ben Affleck performance and commentary on Armageddon have attracted fresh attention as the 1998 blockbuster, directed by Michael Bay, surges onto the list of AMC+’s top 10 most-streamed titles as of June 10, 2025. Despite being released nearly three decades ago, the disaster movie’s cast, explosive action, and Affleck’s memorable behind-the-scenes remarks are fueling renewed interest from audiences both old and new.
Armageddon’s Lasting Popularity Among Viewers
Michael Bay’s directorial style, often characterized by high-octane action, found its peak with Armageddon, a film centered on a daring attempt by a skilled team to prevent an asteroid from destroying Earth. While some critics questioned the plausibility of the plot, audiences were captivated, leading to a viewer rating of 73% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The movie’s staying power is notable, as it remains a major draw for streaming audiences nearly 27 years after its theatrical release. As of June 2025, Armageddon has ascended among the 10 most-watched films on AMC+, standing alongside popular series like Dark Winds, The Surrender, Black Snow, and Scrublands. The film continues to attract substantial attention, even though The Walking Dead: Dead City, featuring Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan, maintains the highest spot on the streaming service thanks to its thriving second season.
Star-Studded Ensemble Propels Armageddon
Armageddon’s broad appeal can be traced in part to its star-filled cast, which includes Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Liv Tyler, Steve Buscemi, and the late Michael Clarke Duncan. Ben Affleck played the confident A.J., a role pivotal in launching him toward a prominent Hollywood career in the years that followed.
What stands out today is not only Affleck’s on-screen performance, but also his humorous take on his participation in the film’s DVD commentary, which has gained a cult following for its candidness. Affleck reflected,
I was surprised when I heard Criterion was doing Armageddon. I didn’t think of it as that kind of movie when we did it, and in retrospect, now, I feel like my best work in my career is the commentary on this disc.
—Ben Affleck
Box Office Triumph and Global Impact
Produced with a significant late-1990s budget estimated at $140 million, Armageddon went on to make $554.6 million worldwide. With $201 million earned domestically and $353 million overseas, the film was the top-grossing global release in 1998. However, within the United States, Armageddon narrowly missed the number one spot at the yearly box office, coming in just $15 million behind Saving Private Ryan, the acclaimed World War II film.
The action epic is currently available for streaming on AMC+, offering both nostalgia for longtime fans and discovery for newcomers interested in Ben Affleck performance and commentary on Armageddon. The continuing streaming success reaffirms the film’s place among memorable Hollywood blockbusters, and Ben Affleck’s blend of on-screen heroics and self-aware humor remains a topic of conversation for film lovers and critics alike.
