Johnny Depp Returns to Major Studio Film with Horror-Styled “Ebenezer”

Paramount Pictures is releasing *Ebenezer*, a gothic reinterpretation of Charles Dickens’s 1843 novella *A Christmas Carol*. The film stars Johnny Depp as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and is directed by horror filmmaker Ti West. The story follows the familiar arc of Scrooge’s transformation but emphasizes supernatural terror, with the three Christmas ghosts portrayed as genuine hauntings rather than moral lessons. The movie is slated to open in theaters on November 13, 2026.

Johnny Depp’s Ebenezer Trailer Reveals First Look at His Darker Scrooge Johnny Depp's Ebenezer Release Date, Trailer, Cast And Story Of Ti West's Dark Christmas Horror ‘Ebenezer’ Trailer Marks Johnny Depp’s Big Hollywood Return US WeeklyIt’s good to be back: Johnny Depp returns as Scrooge in Ebenezer trailer — The Indian Panorama Johnny Depp Stuns SDCC as Ebenezer Scrooge for Ti West's Ebenezer Johnny Depp stuns fans with surprise Scrooge appearance “BAH! HUMBUG!” – Johnny Depp is unleashed in ‘Ebenezer’

Depp’s involvement marks his first major studio lead role since portraying Gellert Grindelwald in *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald* (2018). After a highly publicized defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard in 2022—where a jury concluded that both parties had made defamatory statements and awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages plus $5 million in punitive damages—Depp stepped back from large-scale Hollywood productions. He subsequently appeared in independent and international projects such as *Minamata* (2020) and *Jeanne du Barry* (2023). The *Ebenezer* trailer, released on July 23, 2026, signals his return to a big-budget studio picture.

It’s good to be back: Johnny Depp returns as Scrooge in Ebenezer trailer — The Indian Panorama

• July 23, 2026 – Paramount Pictures drops the first trailer for *Ebenezer* and Depp makes an in-character appearance as Scrooge at San Diego Comic-Con, unveiling the trailer during a Hall H presentation.

Johnny Depp Stuns SDCC as Ebenezer Scrooge for Ti West's Ebenezer

• November 13, 2026 – Paramount lists the theatrical release date for the film. (Some outlets report a November 12 date, creating a discrepancy noted below.)

‘Ebenezer’ Trailer Marks Johnny Depp’s Big Hollywood Return

• Release date: November 13, 2026 (primary reports)

Johnny Depp Stuns SDCC as Ebenezer Scrooge for Ti West's Ebenezer

• Director: Ti West, known for horror titles *X*, *Pearl*, and *MaXXXine*

“BAH! HUMBUG!” – Johnny Depp is unleashed in ‘Ebenezer’

• Principal cast: Johnny Depp (Ebenezer Scrooge), Andrea Riseborough (Ghost of Christmas Past), Tramell Tillman (Ghost of Christmas Present), Ian McKellen (Jacob Marley), Rupert Grint (Bob Cratchit), Daisy Ridley (Emily Cratchit), Sam Claflin (Fred), plus additional performers including Sacha Baron Cohen and Arthur Conti.

‘Ebenezer’ Trailer Marks Johnny Depp’s Big Hollywood Return

• Trailer debut: July 23, 2026, featuring Depp delivering the line “It’s good to be back” as Scrooge.

US Weekly

Director Ti West explained that early exposure to various adaptations of *A Christmas Carol* sparked his interest in horror, making the Dickens story a natural fit for his style. He described the film’s tone as “more gothic” and emphasized that the ghosts are presented as true sources of terror rather than conventional moral guides. Paramount’s promotional activation at Comic-Con transformed San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter into a Victorian-style Christmas village, allowing fans to encounter the film’s atmosphere before its release.

Johnny Depp’s Ebenezer Trailer Reveals First Look at His Darker Scrooge

While most sources list November 13, 2026 as the U.S. theatrical opening, one outlet reports a November 12 release, creating an unresolved discrepancy in the official launch date. Additionally, detailed plot specifics beyond the general premise of a horror-focused Scrooge journey have not been disclosed, leaving the exact nature of the supernatural elements and character arcs unclear.

Johnny Depp’s Ebenezer Trailer Reveals First Look at His Darker Scrooge