While Matt Damon has recently voiced concerns about the creative limitations of streaming-first filmmaking, one of his most celebrated cinematic achievements is proving its timeless appeal in that very arena. Nearly twenty years after its release, the actor's gritty crime collaboration with Martin Scorsese, The Departed, has infiltrated the streaming charts, becoming a major hit on AMC+ this March.
A Crime Classic Finds New Life
Originally released in 2006, The Departed was an instant critical and commercial smash. The film, a tense Boston-set remake of the Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, boasted a legendary ensemble cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, and Vera Farmiga alongside Damon. It grossed nearly $300 million worldwide, becoming Scorsese's highest-grossing film at the time and, most memorably, finally earning the iconic director his first Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director.
The story of undercover moles within the Boston Police Department and an Irish mob syndicate continues to resonate. According to data from FlixPatrol, The Departed ranked among the most-watched movies on AMC+ in the United States last week, holding its own against new series like the neo-Western Dark Winds.
Why It Still Captivates Audiences
The film's enduring power is reflected in its stellar ratings. It holds a 91% critics' score and an even higher 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus praises its "gritty authenticity" and "outstanding work from an excellent cast." Its success underscores how a masterfully crafted, theatrical-scale film can dominate streaming years later, offering a counterpoint to the algorithm-driven content Damon recently critiqued.
This streaming triumph comes as Damon prepares for a return to epic, cinema-first filmmaking with Christopher Nolan's upcoming summer blockbuster, The Odyssey. Yet, The Departed remains a cornerstone of his filmography. It notably outperformed his earlier defining hits like Good Will Hunting and The Bourne Identity at the global box office, cementing his status as a major dramatic lead capable of anchoring a sprawling, complex narrative.
The film's resurgence is part of a broader trend where acclaimed crime sagas find massive audiences on streaming platforms. Fans of the genre can also explore other hits, like the iconic Godfather trilogy on Paramount+ or the gripping true-story drama Narcos on Netflix.
For those who enjoy the intricate cat-and-mouse games of The Departed, the landscape of prestige crime television is richer than ever. From groundbreaking classics to modern masterpieces, series like those featured in our guide "From Hill Street to True Detective: 8 Crime Shows That Broke All the Rules" continue to push the genre forward.
The sustained popularity of The Departed proves that great storytelling, powerhouse performances, and directorial mastery have no expiration date. As it climbs the AMC+ charts in 2026, a new generation of viewers is discovering why this Matt Damon and Martin Scorsese collaboration remains an undisputed classic of modern American cinema.
