Johnny Depp’s ‘Ebenezer’ is ‘straight up’ crushing it at the Box Office, hitting number one with $19 million in North America and a global haul of $42 million. This fresh take on Charles Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ marks a big moment for the well-known actor. After an eight-year hiatus from major roles, the dude proved he’s still got that star power, no cap.
Depp’s return follows a challenging period. His career took a major hit around 2020 after allegations of domestic abuse, which he has denied, leading to high-profile defamation trials. Despite acting roles drying up, a 2026 study by the National Research Group revealed Depp’s global popularity remained high, ranking him among the top 10 actors most likely to draw audiences to new movies. This hinted at a strong potential for a comeback for the prominent actor.
Paramount, the studio, wisely invested a cautious $38 million in ‘Ebenezer,’ given the uncertainty surrounding the actor’s marketability. Depp’s compensation reflected this, with $5 million upfront and bonuses tied to box office performance. While critics were ‘kinda harsh’ on the film, giving it a 53% on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences awarded it a solid ‘A-‘ CinemaScore, showing general public reception differed significantly.
Directed by Ti West, known for his ‘X’ horror trilogy, ‘Ebenezer’ reportedly drew an audience largely composed of older white women (52% female, 58% Caucasian, 59% aged 30 or older), performing ‘best in the south.’ Notably, PostTrak data revealed that 50% of attendees cited Depp as their primary reason for seeing the film, making him its top attendance driver. This stat is legit a game-changer for his career trajectory.
The industry is buzzing, and it looks like Hollywood’s doors are opening wider. According to Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations, Depp’s ‘Hollywood exile is effectively over’ with ‘Ebenezer’ securing the top spot. Bock states this ‘benchmark’ tells the industry Depp is now ‘castable, marketable, and capable of opening a studio movie.’ His next project is Lionsgate’s 2027 action thriller ‘Day Drinker’ with Penélope Cruz, and Disney is even ‘contemplating another ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ with Depp open to returning as Captain Jack Sparrow ‘to send them off on a better note.’ It’s giving major comeback vibes, periodt.
Meanwhile, not every new release saw such success. Amazon MGM’s caper ‘How to Rob a Bank’ straight-up stumbled at No. 7 with just $5 million domestically, failing to make bank globally against its over $40 million budget. Sony’s action thriller ‘Ghost Soldier,’ starring Jim Caviezel, also had a rough start, grossing $5.2 million over the weekend. That’s a rough scene for those flicks, especially when critics and audiences alike weren’t feeling them.
Holdovers, however, kept pulling crowds. Warner Bros. Animation’s ‘The Cat in the Hat’ held strong at second place, and Gkids’ ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ continued its impressive run. A24’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary ‘You Can See Everything’ is highkey slaying, nearing the $100 million mark—a rare feat for a nearly three-hour non-fiction film. With the overall box office already 20% ahead of last year, the upcoming holiday season looks bussin’ for moviemakers and audiences alike.
If you enjoyed this article, share it with your friends or leave us a comment!
Livia Dorne covers film, television, music, and pop culture with a keen editorial perspective. She delivers engaging commentary, reviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that keep readers connected to the entertainment world. Her style blends critique with storytelling.
