Johnny Depp is to return to Hollywood in style in Paramount Pictures’ new movie Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, in which he plays the legendary role of Ebenezer Scrooge. Directed by horror master and suspense thriller specialist Ti West, the film is a gothic adaptation of the traditional Dickens classic, interspersing supernatural fright with a dark, atmospheric retelling. It is scheduled for release on November 13, 2026.
Based in Victorian London, the film explores Scrooge as he takes a supernatural adventure, being joined by the ghosts of his past, present, and future. In these spooky and otherworldly encounters, Scrooge comes face to face with his wrongdoing and hopes for the opportunity to be redeemed, providing a new and exciting spin on the classic tale. Depp’s performance will be a mix of fantasy, horror, and emotion, the studio explains, showcasing the character’s transformation in a completely new way, Deadline reports.
The movie boasts a cast of ensemble players, including cameos by actors from recent buzzed-about projects like X, Pearl, and MaXXXine. Oscar-nominated actress Andrea Riseborough, who won raves for her turn in To Leslie, is also said to be onboard, although her part is being kept secret. The script has been written by Nathaniel Halpern, who has worked on the sci-fi series Tales from the Loop, and Emma Watts is producing, with executive producers Stephen Deuters and Jason Forman.
Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is Depp’s first big Hollywood studio release since 2019’s Waiting for the Barbarians and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald in 2018. After his very public defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard, which he won in 2022, Depp stepped back from high-end studio productions, so this return is much anticipated.
The movie is scheduled for release on November 13, 2026, going up against a new Blumhouse horror release and Lionsgate’s Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping. Led by Depp in a franchise-leading cast and Ti West’s signature gothic flair, the movie is sure to be a holiday season staple, combining nostalgia, horror, and supernatural suspense.
