Hollywood is literally obsessed with Charles Dickens. Just when you think we’ve reached the limit for how many times one man can be visited by three ghosts, the industry decided 2026 is the year we go back to the freezing smog of Victorian London. But this isn't the Muppets or a singing Ryan Reynolds.
We are currently looking at a massive showdown between two of the most distinct directors in modern cinema, both fighting over the same top hat and coal-filled fireplace. It’s kinda wild.
On one side, you’ve got Ti West, the guy who gave us the blood-soaked X and Pearl, directing Johnny Depp. On the other, Robert Eggers—the mastermind behind The Witch and Nosferatu—is bringing Willem Dafoe into the fold for his own take. It's essentially a "Battle of the Scrooges," and honestly, the vibe seems way darker than anything we've seen since the 19th century.
The Johnny Depp Comeback: Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol
The big news that basically broke the movie corners of the internet late last year was Johnny Depp’s return to a major studio project. Paramount Pictures is backing this one. Titled Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, the film is currently eyeing a release date of November 13, 2026.
This isn't just another holiday flick.
Paramount is positioning this as a "thrilling ghost story." They aren't leaning into the "Bah Humbug" comedy. With Ti West at the helm, you can bet it’s going to be unsettling. West is known for slow-burn tension and a very specific, gritty aesthetic. Seeing him tackle Dickensian London is actually a pretty inspired choice if you want to capture the actual horror of the original book.
Depp, now 62, is playing the lead. It's his first major studio role since all the legal drama with Amber Heard, and the industry is watching closely. Joining him is Andrea Riseborough, who you might know from her Oscar-nominated turn in To Leslie. Recently, reports have surfaced that Sir Ian McKellen and Tramell Tillman (who was incredible in Severance) have joined the cast too.
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Robert Eggers vs. Ti West: The Battle of the Misers
If one new movie about Scrooge wasn't enough, Robert Eggers is reportedly working on his own version over at Warner Bros.
Eggers is a stickler for historical accuracy. If he makes a Scrooge movie, you can expect the dialogue to be authentically 1840s and the lighting to come from actual candles. He’s rumored to be casting Willem Dafoe as his Ebenezer.
Dafoe as Scrooge? It's almost too perfect.
Why two movies at once?
It happens in Hollywood all the time. Think Armageddon and Deep Impact, or those two Pinocchio movies that came out recently. Usually, it's because the source material is in the public domain, meaning anyone can use it without paying for rights. Since A Christmas Carol was published in 1843, it's free real estate for any studio looking for a "safe" brand with a built-in audience.
But these aren't safe movies.
Both West and Eggers are "auteur" directors. They don't make generic family fluff. We are likely getting two very gothic, very scary, and very psychological explorations of a man who has completely lost his soul to greed.
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What to Expect from the New Movie About Scrooge
The 2026 Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is being written by Nathaniel Halpern. He’s the guy behind Tales from the Loop, so he knows a thing or two about melancholy and "weird" atmosphere.
Here is what we know about the production so far:
- Release Date: November 13, 2026 (Paramount version).
- Director: Ti West.
- Tone: Gothic ghost story, focusing on the supernatural and redemption.
- Filming Locations: Expected to utilize soundstages and potentially location shoots in the UK to capture that authentic Victorian gloom.
There’s a lot of chatter about whether audiences are actually "Scrooged out." We just had Spirited on Apple TV+ and the animated Netflix version with Luke Evans. But those were shiny and polished. The 2026 slate feels like a return to the roots. Dickens wrote a "Ghost Story of Christmas," and for a long time, movies forgot the "ghost" part was supposed to be frightening.
Depp’s version is already drawing comparisons to the 1951 Alastair Sim classic, which many consider the gold standard. If West can capture that same sense of genuine regret and existential dread, he might actually have a hit on his hands.
Tracking the Production Timeline
If you're waiting for a trailer, don't hold your breath just yet. Since the new movie about scrooge isn't hitting theaters until late 2026, we probably won't see official footage until the holiday season of 2025.
That hasn't stopped the "concept trailers" from flooding YouTube. You've probably seen them—the AI-generated ones that put Depp in a top hat with Helena Bonham Carter as a ghost. To be clear: those are fake. They look cool, sure, but they aren't official.
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What's real is the casting. Ian McKellen's involvement suggests a level of prestige that elevates this beyond just a "comeback" vehicle for Depp. It’s turning into a legitimate ensemble piece.
Honestly, the most interesting thing will be the release window. Releasing on November 13 puts it right before the heavy hitters of the 2026 holiday season. It's a bold move, but if it's as dark as people say, it might work as a "counter-programming" option for people who are tired of the sugary-sweet Christmas specials.
Moving Toward the 2026 Premiere
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on this, there are a few things to keep an eye on.
First, watch for official casting confirmations regarding the three ghosts. Who plays the Ghost of Christmas Present will tell us a lot about the movie's energy. If it's another heavy-hitter like McKellen, expect a very serious drama. If they cast a comedian, the tone might be more balanced.
Second, check out Ti West's previous films if you haven't. If you watch Pearl, you'll see how he handles characters who are isolated and slightly losing their minds. That’s basically Scrooge in a nutshell.
To prepare for the 2026 release of the new movie about scrooge, you can:
- Follow Paramount’s official press releases: They usually drop the first "first look" images about 10 to 12 months before release.
- Re-read the original novella: It’s short, and it’s way grittier than the cartoons make it out to be. It helps to know the source material before seeing how West and Eggers inevitably change it.
- Track the "Eggers Scrooge" project: Keep an eye on Warner Bros. announcements. If both movies actually come out in the same window, it’ll be the biggest holiday box office showdown in years.
Whatever happens, it’s clear that the story of Ebenezer Scrooge isn't going anywhere. We just keep finding new ways to tell it, and for 2026, that way involves a lot more shadows and a lot more soul-searching.