Leicester Square has seen some memorable premieres in its time, but few have carried quite the charge of Monday evening's global launch of Ebenezer — a film that marks one of Johnny Depp's most high-profile returns to the Hollywood spotlight in years. The Odeon Luxe played host to a galaxy of talent as Paramount's chilling reimagining of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol had its world premiere on 9th November 2026, and the red carpet delivered every bit of the drama the subject matter promises.
The Man of the Hour
Depp takes on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in a production that Paramount is billing as a 'thrilling reimagining of the most iconic ghost story of all time.' The studio describes his Scrooge as 'deliciously unpleasant' — a phrase that feels less like PR copy and more like an honest character endorsement. On one fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is forced to confront the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come in a supernatural reckoning that promises to upend everything audiences think they know about the classic tale.
If you think you know his story, think again.
It is a role that seems to suit Depp's well-documented appetite for playing richly strange, morally complex figures, and the choice of director only deepens the intrigue. Ti West — the man behind horror hits X, Pearl and MaXXXine — is at the helm, with Ebenezer rated PG-13 for 'frightening material.' The words 'Ti West' and 'Christmas' appearing in the same sentence are, by design, slightly unsettling.
A Remarkable Ensemble
Depp was far from alone on the night. Rupert Grint, making his own kind of splash as part of a truly impressive ensemble cast, joined him on the carpet alongside Tramell Tillman, Sam Claflin, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, Robert Strange and Freddie Lee-Grey. Director Ti West, producer Emma Watts and screenwriter Nathaniel Halpern were also in attendance to celebrate the film's launch.
The wider cast — which includes Andrea Riseborough, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti and the inimitable Ian McKellen — rounds out what is shaping up to be one of the season's most anticipated releases. McKellen, as one write-up noted with characteristic dry wit, 'knows a thing or two about wizards and is presumably no stranger to ghosts.'
Famous Faces in the Crowd
Beyond the principal cast, the premiere drew a lively supporting crowd of familiar faces. Minnie Driver turned out for the occasion, as did pop duo Jedward — representing the Big Brother UK alumni contingent — and reality television favourite Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu of Love Island fame, ensuring the evening's atmosphere leaned firmly into spectacle.
Leave the little ones at home and bring someone whose hand you don't mind squeezing.
For those who want to experience the full force of West's vision, Ebenezer will be screened across Dolby Cinema, 4DX and D-BOX formats — meaning the ghosts come with added sensory persuasion for those brave enough to seek it out. The film opens in cinemas on 13th November 2026.
A Festive Season With a Sharp Edge
What makes Ebenezer feel genuinely exciting — beyond the marquee names and the prestige venue — is the creative tension at its heart. This is a family story with a horror filmmaker's fingerprints all over it, a Christmas film that isn't quite comfortable, and a comeback vehicle for one of Hollywood's most complicated stars. Whether it sticks the landing remains to be seen when audiences file into cinemas on the 13th, but on the evidence of Monday's premiere, the appetite for it is very much there. London, it seems, was more than ready to be Scrooged.
