Johnny Depp’s comeback could be a box office hit — Ebenezer is tracking for a $20M+ opening
Looks like Johnny Depp’s comeback might stick: Ti West’s Ebenezer is tracking as a modest early‑holiday win for Paramount.
Feels like we haven’t had much quiet on the Johnny Depp front since that headline-grabbing fallout with Amber Heard. That circus left both their reputations battered, but Depp is clearly on something of a mission to win the public’s affection all over again. He’s been on the slow climb back—first testing the waters with a French-language film, Jeanne Du Barry, then slipping back into English-speaking cinema. Now he’s firmly picking up steam with not just one, but two projects in the pipeline: Ebenezer out this Christmas, and Day Drinker waiting in the wings for the following year.
Depp As Scrooge?
The headline act for Depp’s comeback this season is Ebenezer, a very fresh spin on the old Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Don’t expect the usual syrupy stuff, though—it’s leaning hard into the horror. That’s no accident, considering it’s Ti West behind the camera, better known for horror than festive cheer.
This isn’t some mega-budget Disney spectacle either. Paramount’s gone small on this one—reportedly, the entire film comes in at under $40 million (with Depp pocketing about $5 million from that, if industry chatter is to be believed). With that sort of budget, turning a profit is less of a mountain than a molehill, and apparently the numbers are already looking healthy. Box Office Theory reckons the opening weekend should clear $20 million without breaking a sweat, while the domestic run might hit a whopping $140 million-plus if early forecasts hold up.
Ebenezer is set to arrive in cinemas on 13 November.
Who Else Is In The Cast?
It’s not just Depp in a top hat and sideburns. There’s a solid cast backing him up, including Rupert Grint (yes, Ron Weasley himself) as Bob Cratchit, Andrea Riseborough as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Sam Claflin as Fred (that’s Scrooge’s nephew, for those who need a refresher), Daisy Ridley as Clara, Arthur Conti as young Ebenezer, and Ellie Bamber taking on the role of Belle. To top it off, Tramell Tillman appears as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Ian McKellen pops up as Jacob Marley. Quite a line-up, frankly.
Critical Response So Far
The early word has been mostly kind—maybe not raving, but more upbeat than cynical critics probably expected. Case in point: JimmyO (from our own outfit), who admitted he couldn’t muster excitement for yet another Christmas Carol riff. He’s now changed his tune entirely, saying the film is not only a darker, more serious take, but also features Depp’s best work in ages. In his words at the screening:
I was not terribly excited about the prospect of another Christmas Carol. Thankfully, Ti West’s Ebenezer presents a darker look at this Christmas fable. Yet it brings more sincerity than many of the earlier efforts. Johnny Depp gives a layered performance as Scrooge. And while it is cartoonish at times, it is far more layered than the trailer would suggest. You actually see his growth with each spirit visiting him. It’s my favorite Depp performance in a few years.
- New horror-fuelled spin on Dickens
- Smaller budget means a lower bar for profit
- Expected to sail well past $20M opening, could finish north of $140M domestically
- Crowded cast: Grint, Riseborough, Ridley, McKellen and more
- Opening across UK and US cinemas from 13 November
Story-wise, it’s classic Dickens—miser in Victorian London, forced to confront his past, present, and future with the aim of saving what’s left of his soul. Maybe not the cheeriest Christmas watch, but definitely a bold attempt to shake off both genre and personal baggage. If nothing else, it’ll get Hollywood talking—probably for more reasons than just ticket sales.