Johnny Depp's 'Ebenezer' Leads Box Office in $20M Debut

Key points

• 'Ebenezer' earned $6.7 million on opening day, including Thursday previews, and is projected to gross $18-$20 million for the weekend.
• The film is projected to earn an additional $20 million overseas, reaching a global total of $38-$40 million.
• Audiences awarded the film an A- CinemaScore, with 50% of moviegoers citing Johnny Depp as their primary reason for attending.
• Critics are split, with the film holding a 53% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• The film marks Depp’s first studio feature since 2018's 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.'
• Other new releases, 'Ghost Soldier' and 'How to Rob a Bank,' opened significantly lower, with the latter facing financial concerns due to a $40 million budget.

Background

Johnny Depp’s return to major studio cinema has been closely watched since his 2022 defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, which he won. Following the trial, Depp took a hiatus from high-profile work, appearing in independent films such as 'Minamata' and 'Jeanne du Barry' before directing 'Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness' in 2024. 'Ebenezer' represents his first major studio release since 2018. Paramount Pictures invested $38 million in production and $50 million in marketing, with Depp earning a $5 million salary, a significant drop from his previous $16 million rate. The film’s strong opening weekend suggests a viable path for his career resurgence, though critical reception remains mixed.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter emphasizes the commercial success of 'Ebenezer,' noting its strong opening weekend and audience appeal, particularly among viewers over 30. The New York Times offers a more critical view, describing the film as a 'mini-comeback before the comeback' and suggesting that Depp is relying on his past iconography rather than creating a new interpretation of Scrooge. Variety highlights the financial aspects, noting the modest $38 million production budget and the projected global earnings, while also mentioning the legal context of Depp’s return. NBC 5 Chicago’s Richard Roeper praises the film’s gothic sensibility and casting, calling it one of the most chilling iterations of 'A Christmas Carol,' while also noting its PG-13 rating limits its horror potential. The outlets agree on the film’s box office success but differ on its artistic merit and the nature of Depp’s comeback.

Why it matters

The success of 'Ebenezer' signals a potential return for Johnny Depp in major studio cinema, a significant development given his previous hiatus. The film’s strong box office performance, despite mixed critical reviews, suggests that audiences still support Depp, which could influence future studio decisions regarding his involvement in high-profile projects. Additionally, the film’s performance sets a benchmark for other new releases, such as 'Ghost Soldier' and 'How to Rob a Bank,' which opened significantly lower. The financial success of 'Ebenezer' also highlights the importance of star power in the current film market, particularly for actors with a history of controversy.

What to watch

Paramount Pictures will monitor the box office performance of 'Ebenezer' over the coming weeks to assess its long-term viability. The studio may also evaluate the marketing strategy, which included Depp appearing in character as Scrooge to remind fans of his previous roles. For Johnny Depp, the success of 'Ebenezer' could lead to further studio offers, potentially marking a full return to major cinema. The performance of 'How to Rob a Bank' and 'Ghost Soldier' will also be watched, as their lower openings may indicate broader market trends. Additionally, the film’s overseas performance will be crucial in determining its global success.