Jason Bourne Movies: Order, Best Film, and 6th Movie News

There’s something about a spy who doesn’t want to be one. Jason Bourne, the amnesiac assassin, ripped up the rulebook of action cinema and left audiences wondering how a man with no memory could be so unforgettable. This guide lays out the Bourne movies in order, explains why Matt Damon stepped away, and separates fact from rumor about a possible sixth film. You’ll walk away with the Tomatometer rankings, the box office numbers, and the real story behind the franchise’s future.

Films in franchise: 5 ·
Box office total: $1.6 billion ·
Best Tomatometer: 94% (The Bourne Ultimatum) ·
Years active: 2002–2016

What are the 5 Bourne movies in order?

Five films have been released in the core Bourne franchise, and the proper viewing order is the same as the release order. The timeline follows Jason Bourne’s journey from a blank-slate amnesiac to a resigned operative — with one detour into a spin-off that doesn’t feature the title character at all.

The Bourne Identity (2002)

• First film in the series, released on June 14, 2002 (Box Office Mojo (franchise data))
• Matt Damon’s debut as Bourne
• Worldwide gross: $214.4 million (The Numbers (box office analysis))

The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

• Released July 23, 2004 (Box Office Mojo (franchise data))
• First film directed by Paul Greengrass
• Worldwide gross: $311.0 million (The Numbers (box office analysis))

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

• Released August 3, 2007 (Box Office Mojo (franchise data))
• Highest-grossing film in the series: $444.0 million worldwide (The Numbers (box office analysis))
• Won three Oscars: Best Editing, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing

The Bourne Legacy (2012)

• Released August 10, 2012 (Box Office Mojo (franchise data))
• Spin-off without Matt Damon; Jeremy Renner stars as Aaron Cross (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial (review aggregator))
• Worldwide gross: $280.4 million (The Numbers (box office analysis))

Jason Bourne (2016)

• Released July 29, 2016 (Box Office Mojo (title data))
• Fifth overall film, fourth with Matt Damon
• Worldwide gross: $416.2 million (The Numbers (box office analysis))

The pattern is clear: the Damon-led trilogy (Identity, Supremacy, Ultimatum) is the franchise backbone, and every entry after that — including Damon’s 2016 return — has struggled to match the critical and commercial peak of The Bourne Ultimatum. The spin-off Legacy, while financially respectable, proved that audiences want Jason Bourne himself, not just the universe.

Why did Matt Damon stop playing Jason Bourne?

Matt Damon didn’t “quit” the role — he skipped one film and then came back. The Bourne Legacy was greenlit after Damon and director Paul Greengrass decided not to continue without a strong script. Wikipedia (franchise overview) notes that the project moved forward with Jeremy Renner as a new lead, but the film’s reception was lukewarm (56% Tomatometer).

Creative differences and script issues

• Damon and Greengrass wanted a story that justified a fourth film together; when it didn’t materialize, they stepped aside.
• Legacy was written by Tony Gilroy, who had worked on the earlier films, but the lack of Damon’s presence left a gap.

Schedule conflicts with other projects

• Damon was busy with projects like The Martian and the Bourne 2016 return was eventually scheduled around his availability.

Desire to take a break from the franchise

• During the 2012–2016 gap, Damon said he didn’t want to overstay his welcome.
• He returned for Jason Bourne (2016) but the film’s mixed reviews (56% Tomatometer) suggest the break may have been wise.

The trade-off: Universal got a new film in 2012 but lost the franchise’s emotional anchor. When Damon finally returned, the box office was strong ($416 million) but the critical magic was gone.

Is Jason Bourne 6 confirmed?

Not officially, but the rumor mill is active. In November 2023, Wikipedia reported that a sixth Bourne film was announced as being in development with Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) attached to direct. Wikipedia (franchise overview) lists this as a medium-confidence report, with no studio confirmation or cast details.

Matt Damon’s comments on a new film

• Damon has expressed interest in returning, but has not committed to the project.
• In a 2024 interview, he praised Berger but stopped short of announcing his involvement.

Rumors and official announcements

• No 2026 trailer or release date exists.
• Universal has not issued a press release confirming the project.

Potential release timeline

• If a sixth film is greenlit soon, a 2027 or 2028 release is plausible — but that’s speculation.

The catch: Without an official studio announcement, every “Bourne 6” headline is clickbait. Damon wants to return, but a deal hasn’t been signed. For now, the franchise is in a holding pattern.

Which Bourne film is the best?

Critics and audiences agree: The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) is the franchise peak. It earned a 94% Tomatometer score, won three Oscars, and grossed $444 million worldwide. Rotten Tomatoes Editorial (review aggregator) ranks it No. 1 in its franchise guide. Collider (entertainment news) also places it at the top.

Critical and audience ratings

• The Bourne Ultimatum: 94% critics, 89% audience (Rotten Tomatoes)
• The Bourne Identity: 84% critics, 72% audience
• The Bourne Supremacy: 82% critics, 84% audience
• Jason Bourne (2016): 56% critics, 63% audience
• The Bourne Legacy: 56% critics, 56% audience

Fan favorite and box office performance

• Audience scores are highest for Ultimatum (89%) and Supremacy (84%).
• Box office does not mirror critical reception: Jason Bourne (2016) outgrossed Legacy despite the same Tomatometer.

Why this matters: The Bourne Ultimatum is not just the best-reviewed film; it’s the one that defined the franchise’s identity — shaky-cam action, tight editing, and a grounded story. Every subsequent film has tried to replicate that formula, but none have matched the 94% peak.

All five Bourne movies ranked by Tomatometer, from worst-reviewed to best.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes Editorial (review aggregator) for scores, The Numbers (box office analysis) for box office.

The pattern: The trilogy (2002–2007) is a critical powerhouse; the post-2012 films are a mixed bag. Jason Bourne (2016) earned more than Legacy at the box office but scored the same critic rating — a sign that Damon’s return couldn’t overcome a weak script.

The Bourne franchise is a story of a peak that hasn’t been recaptured. The trilogy of 2002–2007 set a bar that later films — even with Damon’s return — couldn’t reach. Universal now faces a dilemma: either greenlight a sixth film with a director who has zero action credentials and risk further brand erosion, or let the franchise rest on its 94% legacy.