EBENEZER: A Christmas Carol, Explained: Cast, Release Date and What to Expect

Johnny Depp is stepping into the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a darker new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic. Directed by Ti West, the film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on November 13, 2026. With Ian McKellen, Rupert Grint and Daisy Ridley among its cast, this version promises a different approach to the familiar Christmas ghost story.

Ebenezer Release Date: When and Where to Watch

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on November 13, 2026, through Paramount Pictures. The film is intended for cinema viewing. No streaming release date has been announced at the time of writing. For now, the film is scheduled for a theatrical release through Paramount Pictures. 

The listed running time is approximately 116 minutes, or 1 hour and 56 minutes, according to the British Board of Film Classification. Some cinema listings currently show slightly different durations, so audiences should check their local ticketing pages for the final runtime.

The BBFC has classified the film 12A in the UK, citing moderate horror, threat, and violence. US cinema listings give it a PG-13 rating. These classifications apply to their respective markets and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol Cast and Characters 

The Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol cast combines familiar performers with actors taking on characters from Dickens' original story. Johnny Depp leads as Scrooge, while Ian McKellen, Andrea Riseborough and Tramell Tillman are connected to the supernatural visitors who drive the story.

Daisy Ridley’s character has been identified as Emily Cratchit in some published cast reports, although other entertainment coverage describes her as Fred’s wife without specifying her character’s name. Rose Williams, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, and Charlie Murphy are also among the cast members whose roles have not been clearly identified in the available official announcements. Their character details remain unconfirmed, and further information may emerge closer to the film’s release.

What’s Different About This Version of a Christmas Carol?

The story of Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is familiar: a wealthy, miserly businessman who despises Christmas receives visits from supernatural figures that force him to confront his choices. Ti West’s adaptation appears to lean further into the unsettling side of that premise.

The film’s promotional tagline, the name you know. The story does not signal a fresh interpretation rather than a straightforward recreation of previous adaptations. Its ghost-story approach places greater emphasis on frightening aspects of Scrooge’s journey, while retaining the central themes of regret, compassion, and redemption.

West is known for his horror work, so his involvement gives this version a distinct creative direction. The aim is not simply to revisit a familiar festive tale but to explore its darker atmosphere through a different filmmaking style.

Ebenezer Trailer: What Does It Show? 

Johnny Depp introduced footage from Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026, appearing in character as Scrooge. Paramount released the first trailer around the event, followed by a second full trailer on October 1.

The October trailer reveals more about Scrooge’s supernatural encounters. Ian McKellen appears as Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge that three spirits will visit him on Christmas Eve. The footage also shows Depp’s Scrooge confronting the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, with glimpses of the visions that force him to reconsider his life. One particularly unsettling moment shows Scrooge being buried alive, reinforcing the film’s horror-inspired interpretation of Dickens’ story.

The trailer also introduces Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit and Sam Claflin as Fred, alongside the performers portraying the supernatural visitors. Rather than revealing the complete plot, it offers a clearer look at how director Ti West combines the familiar redemption story with supernatural horror.

Who Directed Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol?

Ti West directs Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol from a screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern, based on Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella. West is known for directing horror films including Pearl and MaXXXine, making him an interesting choice for a darker interpretation of the classic.

Emma Watts produces the film. For Depp, the project represents a significant return to a major Hollywood studio production in a leading role following several years of work across independent and international projects.

The combination of West’s horror background, Halpern’s screenplay and Depp’s portrayal of Scrooge gives the adaptation a different identity from more traditional versions of the story.

More November 2026 Movies to Watch

Ebenezer is one of several notable films arriving in November. Another major release is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which takes audiences back to Panem for the Second Quarter Quell. If you enjoy exploring upcoming Hollywood releases with franchise potential, look at our guide to 10 Hollywood Movies That Could Become the Next Big Franchise.