Box Office: Johnny Depp’s ‘Ebenezer’ Makes $1.5 Million in Previews

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For the first time since 2018’s “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” Johnny Depp is back on the big screen in a major Hollywood movie with Paramount’s “Ebenezer.” His new, darkly comedic take on “A Christmas Carol” has made $1.5 million in previews at the box office.

“Ebenezer,” directed by Ti West, is expected to open with $20 million domestically and another $20 million overseas. Paramount spent $38 million to produce the spin on the classic Charles Dickens tale, plus another $50 million to market it, and it’ll need the adoration of Depp’s diehard fans to power it through the holiday season.

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Depp stepped back from Hollywood during his domestic abuse trial against his ex wife Amber Heard, but he was still making indie and international movies abroad. He stayed busy with the 2020 drama “Minamata,” the 2023 period piece “Jeanne du Barry,” and he directed the 2024 biopic “Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness.” “Ebenezer” marks his first major Hollywood film in eight years since “Fantastic Beasts” (Warner Bros. replaced him with Mads Mikkelsen in the third film, “The Secrets of Dumbledore”). Up next, he’ll star in Lionsgate’s revenge thriller “Day Drinker” with Madelyn Cline and Penelope Cruz, set to hit theaters in March.

The “Ebenezer” cast also includes Rupert Grint as Scrooge’s employee Bob Cratchit, Ian McKellen, Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Andrew Riseborough as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Tramell Tillman as Christmas Present and Robert Strange as Christmas Yet to Come.

Sony’s new action movie “Ghost Soldier,” starring Jim Caviezel, has $3.1 million across its Tuesday previews, Wednesday opening and Thursday. It’s expected to make $6 million over its five-day opening weekend.