After years away from major Hollywood studio releases, Johnny Depp is stepping back into the spotlight with one confirmed theatrical movie in 2026 and another major studio project currently waiting for an official release date.
For fans who have been tracking Johnny Depp’s big-screen comeback, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is the confirmed 2026 release to watch. Meanwhile, Day Drinker remains one of his most talked-about upcoming films, but its U.S. release date has not been officially confirmed yet.
Why Fans Can’t Stop Talking About Johnny Depp’s Comeback
Fans have a deep connection with Depp because he is the kind of actor who fully disappears into his characters. Jack Sparrow is the best example of that, but his career has also given audiences unforgettable performances in Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd, Sleepy Hollow, and many more.
Over the years, audiences have watched him move smoothly from gothic outsiders to eccentric pirates, mysterious criminals, and larger-than-life fantasy characters. That ability to transform himself is a major reason fans are excited about his upcoming movie slate.
The screen presence and character work Depp brings to his roles have been missed by many viewers in recent years. That is why the buzz around Johnny Depp’s upcoming movies in 2026 and beyond feels bigger than a normal casting update.
His fans never really left him. They were just waiting for the next major chapter of his big-screen career.
Johnny Depp’s Upcoming Movies in 2026 and Beyond
Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol
- Genre: Dark Fantasy / Supernatural Thriller
- Studio: Paramount Pictures
- Director: Ti West
- Cast: Johnny Depp, Ian McKellen, Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman
- Release Date: November 13, 2026
Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is currently the only Johnny Depp movie with a confirmed 2026 theatrical release date. The film is set to release in the United States on November 13, 2026, with Paramount Pictures backing the project and Ti West directing.
The film is based on Charles Dickens’ classic 1843 novella A Christmas Carol, with Depp playing Ebenezer Scrooge. The story follows Scrooge through a supernatural journey where he is forced to confront his past, present, and future in search of redemption.
The film also has a strong supporting cast, including Ian McKellen, Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, and Tramell Tillman. IMDb currently lists Depp as Scrooge, while Tramell Tillman is listed as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Depp recently appeared at Paramount’s CinemaCon 2026 presentation to preview the film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he said he had been obsessed with A Christmas Carol since childhood and praised director Ti West’s approach to the material.
With Paramount behind the movie, a major literary character at the center, and Depp returning to a dark period role, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol has quickly become one of the most discussed Hollywood releases of 2026.
What Makes Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol Special?
The biggest reason this film stands out is the role itself. Ebenezer Scrooge is one of the most famous characters in classic literature, and Depp has built much of his career around strange, layered, and visually memorable characters.
The movie also gives Depp a setting that suits his strengths. A dark, supernatural version of Dickens’ London naturally feels close to the gothic tone seen in films like Sweeney Todd and Sleepy Hollow.
With Ti West directing and Paramount giving the film a major theatrical release, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol could become a key comeback moment for Depp on the big screen.
Day Drinker (TBD)
Note: Initial reports claimed the film would release in the final days of 2026, but at the moment, there is no official confirmation on the release date in the United States. Consider this bonus information about the next Johnny Depp movie after Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol.
- Genre: Action Thriller
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Director: Marc Webb
- Cast: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Madelyn Cline, Manu Ríos, Arón Piper, Juan Diego Botto, Anika Boyle
- Release Date: TBA
Day Drinker is another major Johnny Depp project, but it should not be listed as a confirmed 2026 release right now. As of May 15, 2026, the film does not have an official U.S. theatrical release date. MovieInsider currently lists its release date as TBA.
The film follows a private-yacht bartender, played by Madelyn Cline, who meets a mysterious guest played by Johnny Depp. Their encounter pulls them into a darker criminal world connected to Penélope Cruz’s character.
Lionsgate previously shared a first look at Depp in the film, showing him with grey hair, a beard, and a very different appearance from many of his past roles. Deadline reported that Lionsgate also added Manu Ríos, Arón Piper, Juan Diego Botto, and Anika Boyle to the cast.
Day Drinker is also notable because it reunites Depp and Penélope Cruz for the fourth time. The two previously appeared together in Blow, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and Murder on the Orient Express.
The film is directed by Marc Webb, best known for projects like The Amazing Spider-Man and 500 Days of Summer, while John Wick franchise producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee are also involved with the project.
What Makes Day Drinker Special?
Even without a confirmed release date, Day Drinker has a lot working in its favor.
First, it brings Depp and Penélope Cruz back together, and their previous collaborations have always carried strong screen chemistry. Second, the film has a stylish action-thriller setup, with a yacht bartender, a mysterious guest, and a criminal storyline driving the plot.
The project also has strong production backing from Lionsgate and producers connected to the John Wick franchise. That makes Day Drinker one of the most interesting upcoming Johnny Depp films to watch, even if fans may need to wait a little longer for the official release date.
Why You Should Watch Both Films
Here’s my honest take on both films:
- If you love character-driven performances, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is the bigger 2026 movie to watch. Depp is playing one of literature’s most iconic characters, and the dark fantasy tone gives him the kind of role that fits his strengths.
- If you want a stylish action thriller, Day Drinker could be the more entertaining pick once it gets an official release date. The Depp and Cruz reunion, Lionsgate backing, and Marc Webb’s direction make it a strong upcoming title.
Both projects are not small indie films. Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is backed by Paramount Pictures, while Day Drinker comes from Lionsgate. That alone makes both films important for fans following Depp’s return to major studio projects.
If you enjoy deep, character-driven stories, you might also find some hidden gems on Netflix worth watching while you wait for Depp’s return to the big screen.
How These Films Connect to Depp’s Best Work
Both films connect to what has made Johnny Depp’s career so memorable: transformation.
Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol has the dark, gothic, period-style energy that fans may associate with films like Sweeney Todd and Sleepy Hollow. Depp playing Ebenezer Scrooge also gives him another visually distinct character with emotional weight.
Day Drinker, on the other hand, feels closer to Depp’s crime and thriller work. The setup has mystery, danger, and a strange character at the center of a bigger criminal world. It also brings back his partnership with Penélope Cruz, which adds more interest for long-time fans.
Streaming & Theatrical Info
Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol
- Theatrical release: November 13, 2026
- Streaming: No streaming platform has been officially announced as of May 2026.
Since Paramount Pictures is distributing Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol theatrically, streaming details will likely be announced closer to or after its theatrical release window. For now, fans should treat the movie as a confirmed theatrical release first.
Day Drinker
- Theatrical release: TBA
- Streaming: No streaming platform has been officially announced.
Because Day Drinker does not yet have an official release date, there is no confirmed streaming information for the film either. Any streaming platform mention should be treated as speculation until Lionsgate makes an official announcement.
Who Are These Films For?
Watch Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol if you:
Love dark and period fantasy films.
Enjoyed movies like Sweeney Todd, Sleepy Hollow, and other A Christmas Carol adaptations.
Are waiting for Johnny Depp’s confirmed 2026 theatrical comeback.
Want to see Depp play another classic, transformative character.
Watch Day Drinker if you:
- Enjoy action thrillers with mystery and crime elements.
- Like the on-screen pairing of Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz.
- Enjoyed Marc Webb’s direction in films like The Amazing Spider-Man and 500 Days of Summer.
Want to follow Depp’s next major studio project after Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol.
For long-time fans tracking Johnny Depp’s upcoming movies in 2026 and beyond, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is the confirmed release to mark on the calendar, while Day Drinker remains the next major title to watch closely.
How many Johnny Depp movies are confirmed for 2026?
As of May 15, 2026, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is the only Johnny Depp movie with a confirmed 2026 theatrical release date. Day Drinker is another upcoming studio project, but its release date has not been officially confirmed yet.
What is Johnny Depp’s role in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol?
Johnny Depp plays Ebenezer Scrooge in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, a dark fantasy adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novella.
When is Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol releasing?
Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is scheduled to release in theaters on November 13, 2026.
Who else is in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol?
The cast includes Johnny Depp, Ian McKellen, Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, and Tramell Tillman.
Who else is in Day Drinker with Johnny Depp?
Day Drinker stars Johnny Depp alongside Penélope Cruz, Madelyn Cline, Manu Ríos, Arón Piper, Juan Diego Botto, and Anika Boyle.
Is Day Drinker releasing in 2026?
There is no official confirmed U.S. release date for Day Drinker as of May 15, 2026. The film is currently listed as TBA, so it may release later depending on Lionsgate’s final schedule.
Is Johnny Depp officially back in Hollywood?
Yes. Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol from Paramount Pictures and Day Drinker from Lionsgate mark Depp’s return to major studio-backed Hollywood projects.
Will Johnny Depp’s upcoming movies be on streaming?
No streaming dates have been confirmed for either Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol or Day Drinker as of May 2026. Ebenezer is confirmed for theatrical release first, while Day Drinker does not yet have an official release date.
Is Johnny Depp returning to Pirates of the Caribbean?
As of May 2026, no official deal has been confirmed for Johnny Depp’s return to Pirates of the Caribbean. There have been rumors and reports about possible interest, but nothing has been finalized publicly.
