Martin Scorsese has crafted some of cinema's most iconic gangster tales, but it wasn't until 2006 that he finally snagged the Academy Award for Best Director. After delivering masterpieces like Goodfellas, Casino, and Mean Streets, he had little left to prove. Yet, by uniting Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson in a gritty Boston crime saga, he created one of the most celebrated films of his career—and now that film is set to vanish from HBO Max.
The Departed is officially leaving HBO Max in the United States in October 2026. The movie, which grossed over $291 million worldwide, won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, finally handing Scorsese the golden statue that had eluded him for decades. Adapted from the Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, the story follows two men operating undercover on opposite sides of Boston's criminal underworld.
Rookie cop Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) grew up amidst crime, making him the perfect mole to infiltrate the mob led by ruthless boss Frank Costello (Nicholson). His mission: earn Costello's trust and help his handlers dismantle the organization. Meanwhile, SIU officer Colin Sullivan (Damon) appears to be a model cop, but he's secretly Costello's informant. As their covert lives intertwine, the tension escalates to a ferocious climax that keeps audiences on edge.
The film boasts a stellar ensemble, with DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street), Damon (The Bourne Identity), and Nicholson (The Shining) leading the charge. Supporting them are Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter) as Sergeant Sean Dignam, Martin Sheen (The West Wing) as Captain Oliver Queenan, Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring) as Dr. Madolyn Madden, Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) as Captain George Ellerby, and Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast) as Arnold French.
Critically, The Departed remains one of Scorsese's most lauded works, holding a stellar 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was a box office juggernaut, earning approximately $291 million against a reported $90 million budget. At the 79th Academy Awards, it swept Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing, with Wahlberg earning a nod for Best Supporting Actor. This victory marked Scorsese's first directing Oscar, following previous nominations for Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and Gangs of New York.
For fans of crime thrillers, The Departed is a must-watch before it departs HBO Max. If you're looking for more gripping tales, check out why this film is the one to stream this October. And if you're in the mood for more Damon action, his Bourne franchise is dominating Netflix charts right now.
Don't miss your chance to experience this modern classic. Mark your calendars—once October 2026 hits, The Departed will be gone from HBO Max, but its legacy will endure.
