Matt Damon is having a banner year in 2026. With his Oscar-worthy turn in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey—which has grossed a staggering $1.8 billion worldwide—and the Netflix hit The Rip alongside his longtime friend, Damon is everywhere. But before all that, he starred in one of the most celebrated crime thrillers of all time, and now that film is heading back to theaters for a special milestone.
Warner Bros. has announced that The Departed will return to the big screen the weekend of December 4, 2026, to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The Martin Scorsese-directed masterpiece, which also features Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Wahlberg, originally hit theaters in 2006 and grossed $292 million globally on a $90 million budget. It remains a fan favorite, with a 91% critics' score and 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Why the Return Matters
For fans who missed it in theaters or want to relive the experience, this is a rare opportunity. The Departed is not currently streaming on any major platform in the U.S., so the theatrical re-release is the best way to see it. Until then, you can rent or buy it on VOD services like Prime Video or Apple TV.
The film's plot is as gripping as ever: South Boston cop Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) goes undercover to infiltrate the gangland organization of Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Meanwhile, career criminal Colin Sullivan (Damon) infiltrates the police department. When both sides discover they have a mole, Billy and Colin race to uncover each other's identities to survive.
Damon's Busy Year
Damon's 2026 has been packed. The Odyssey is coming to VOD soon, and he's also lined up a new sci-fi project from the Daniels, the duo behind Everything Everywhere All at Once. With an Oscar nomination likely for his role as Odysseus, Damon could finally take home his first acting Academy Award—his only win so far was for writing Good Will Hunting.
For those who can't get enough of crime thrillers, check out our list of top crime miniseries or dive into why 'Bodyguard' remains the gold standard for political thrillers. And if you're a fan of Boston-set stories, you might enjoy this sneak peek at 'Boston Blue'.
Tickets for The Departed re-release are expected to go on sale soon. Stay tuned for more updates on this and other Matt Damon projects.
