Matt Damon has had a phenomenal year, headlining Christopher Nolan's epic The Odyssey, which has grossed over $1.7 billion worldwide and is a front-runner for Oscar glory. But as Damon basks in the glow of another blockbuster, one of his most celebrated films is quietly disappearing from streaming.
The Departed, Martin Scorsese's 2006 crime masterpiece, will be removed from HBO Max on November 1, 2026. If you haven't revisited this modern classic, now is the time to squeeze it in before it's gone.
A Scorsese Triumph
The film marked a career milestone for Scorsese, finally earning him his long-overdue Best Director Oscar. It also took home the coveted Best Picture trophy, cementing its place in cinematic history. The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing nearly $300 million worldwide on a reported $90 million budget.
Beyond the accolades, The Departed is a gripping cat-and-mouse thriller set in Boston's gritty underworld. Damon stars as Colin Sullivan, a mole inside the state police, while Leonardo DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan, an undercover cop infiltrating the Irish mob. Their paths collide in a tense game of deception, with Jack Nicholson delivering a menacing performance as crime boss Frank Costello.
An All-Star Ensemble
The film boasts an incredible cast, including Vera Farmiga, Ray Winstone, Alec Baldwin, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Sheen. Wahlberg's performance earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The chemistry and intensity of the ensemble are a big reason why the film remains so compelling.
Based on the Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, Scorsese's adaptation transplants the story to South Boston, infusing it with his signature gritty realism and moral ambiguity. The result is a thoroughly engrossing gangster drama that holds a 91% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Why You Should Watch Before It's Gone
If you're a fan of crime dramas, The Departed is essential viewing. It's a masterclass in tension and storytelling, with twists that keep you guessing until the very end. The film's exploration of identity, loyalty, and betrayal resonates as strongly today as it did in 2006.
For those who've seen it, it's worth a rewatch to appreciate the nuanced performances and Scorsese's direction. For newcomers, it's a perfect entry point into his filmography. And if you're in the mood for more crime classics, you might also check out Goodfellas' iconic opening or explore other unfinished crime sagas that have captured fans' imaginations.
Don't miss your chance to watch The Departed on HBO Max before November 1. After that, you'll have to wait for its next streaming home or dust off your Blu-ray.
