Johnny Depp in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol Horror Film

Johnny Depp stars in Ebenezer, a horror take on A Christmas Carol

Paramount releases the reimagined 'A Christmas Carol' on November 13, 2026, with Depp as Scrooge in a film pitched as a holiday horror.

By Overseas2 hours ago2 min read

Current hype level65

Johnny Depp is back in a big way — not with Pirates of the Caribbean, but with a full-on reinvention of Charles Dickens’ classic. 'Ebenezer,' a new take on 'A Christmas Carol,' lands in theaters on November 13, 2026, under Paramount’s banner. Depp plays Ebenezer Scrooge, but this isn’t the familiar tale of redemption. According to the trailer and marketing, it leans into horror, a genre that’s been hot at the box office lately.

The film is directed by Ti West, known for the 'X' series and 'MaXXXine.' This marks his first major studio project of this scale. His previous work grossed around $22 million total, so expectations are high, and so is the pressure. With Depp’s career still navigating the fallout from legal battles and public scrutiny, the film is seen as a potential reset. It’s his first significant role since 'Mortdecai' in 2015, which bombed hard.

Box Office Theory projects 'Ebenezer' will earn between $17 million and $24 million domestically. That would be a solid start against a $38 million production budget, especially if it holds through the holidays. But word of mouth could make or break it. Critics haven’t seen it yet, but early buzz suggests the tone is more unsettling than festive.

Supporting cast includes Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Daisy Ridley, Trammell Tillman, and Ian McKellen, all names that lend credibility. The tagline? "The name you know, the story you don't." That’s a gamble. Audiences might tune in out of curiosity, but they’ll stay only if the scares land.

Competition? Not immediate. 'Godzilla Minus Zero' opens the same weekend, likely dominating the charts. 'The Cat in the Hat' won’t be a threat. The real test comes when 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' arrives on November 20. Until then, 'Ebenezer' has a window, if it can survive the holiday noise.

Streaming and VOD are expected to carry the film long after opening weekend. Curiosity alone may keep it relevant. But whether audiences still care about Depp, or even believe in a Christmas ghost story that feels like a slasher, remains the unspoken question.

November 13 is the date. The verdict? Still pending.