The official trailer for Ti West’s Ebenezer has dropped, and it is not your grandfather’s Christmas Carol. Paramount Pictures has locked in a theatrical release date of November 13, 2026, positioning the film as a major contender for the holiday season. But this is not a cozy adaptation. This is a horror event.

Johnny Depp stars as the titular Ebenezer Scrooge. The tagline The name you know. The story you don't promises a radical departure from the source material. West, known for The House of the Devil and , is steering the ship. Nathaniel Halpern wrote the screenplay, adapting Dickens’ text for West’s distinct visual style.

Deadline reports the narrative is set in Victorian London. Scrooge embarks on a supernatural journey to confront his past, present, and future. The goal is redemption, but the tone suggests a nightmarish gauntlet. The ensemble cast is stacked with horror and prestige talent. Ian McKellen, Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman, Rupert Grint, Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Charlie Murphy, Arthur Conti, and Ellie Bamber all appear in the film.

The source material has been adapted for screen numerous times. Notable previous versions starred Alastair Sim, Albert Finney, George C. Scott, Bill Murray, Michael Caine, and Jim Carrey. West’s approach stands in stark contrast to these predecessors. Where others focus on sentimentality, West focuses on dread.

The Horror Angle

West’s filmography is defined by atmospheric terror and practical effects. His adaptation of A Christmas Carol leans into the ghost story genre rather than the holiday romance. The trailer hints at visceral scares and a darker interpretation of the spirits. Scrooge is not just visited by ghosts; he is hunted by them.

Executive producers Stephen Deuters and Jason Forman are attached to the project. Their involvement signals a high-budget production ready to compete with other major studio releases. The November 13, 2026 date places the film squarely in the awards season conversation, provided the horror elements land correctly.

The ensemble cast brings significant weight to the project. McKellen brings gravitas, while Grint and Ridley add youthful energy. Tillman and Riseborough bring dramatic intensity. The mix of genres suggests a film that appeals to both horror fans and mainstream audiences seeking a fresh take on a classic tale.

Depp’s casting is a major draw. His performance style is unpredictable and often intense. In a role as iconic as Scrooge, he must balance miserly greed with genuine terror. The trailer suggests he commits fully to the physical and psychological demands of the role.

Paramount is betting big on this reimagining. The marketing campaign emphasizes the unknown aspects of the story. By focusing on the horror elements, they differentiate Ebenezer from previous adaptations. The goal is to make the familiar strange and terrifying.

As the release date approaches, anticipation will only grow. The trailer is just the beginning. Fans of West’s work and Dickens enthusiasts alike are waiting to see how the director blends the two worlds. The result could be a new classic of holiday horror.