Paramount Pictures released Ebenezer across more than 3,500 North American theaters on Friday, November 13, 2026, setting up a competitive weekend box-office contest against the reigning champion, Toho's Godzilla Minus Zero. Directed by Ti West and starring Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge, the Charles Dickens adaptation marks Depp's first major Hollywood studio release in eight years. The holiday feature pulled in $1.5 million during Thursday previews that began at 2 p.m., positioning the movie to challenge the record-setting Japanese monster sequel for the top spot on the domestic charts.

While studio projections remain measured, independent box-office analysts anticipate that Ebenezer has enough theatrical reach to overtake Godzilla Minus Zero as the kaiju blockbuster enters its second weekend in release. The outcome will serve as an early gauge of audience appetite for Depp's return to mainstream cinema and test the staying power of premium-format international spectacles.

Projections Favor 'Ebenezer' for Number One

Early tracking indicates that Ebenezer is the frontrunner to claim first place over the three-day frame, though industry estimates vary on the exact margin.

According to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, Paramount's cautious studio projection places the film's domestic opening at $20 million. By contrast, Box Office Theory forecasts a higher three-day domestic debut of $23.5 million across its 3,500 locations.

Beyond North America, international turnout is expected to play a major role in the film's financial trajectory. According to Deadline, the movie is launching simultaneously in 63 overseas markets, where studio trackers anticipate an additional $20 million. If those figures hold, Ebenezer will conclude its opening frame with roughly $40 million worldwide.

The production carries a reported budget of $38 million, a relatively modest figure accomplished in part because Depp no longer commands the massive upfront paydays of his earlier blockbuster era, according to JoBlo. Alongside Depp, West's adaptation features a supporting ensemble that includes Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, and Ian McKellen.

While a $20 million domestic start would represent a solid initial turnout, ultimate profitability will depend on marketing overhead, theatrical exhibition splits, and whether the movie can maintain steady attendance through the Thanksgiving and Christmas corridors.

'Godzilla Minus Zero' Defends Its Record-Setting Crown

Standing in the way of an easy victory for Paramount is Godzilla Minus Zero, which is coming off a historic debut. After opening in North America on November 6, director Takashi Yamazaki's follow-up to 2023's Godzilla Minus One dominated the prior frame. According to USA Today and CP24, the film opened to an estimated $31.6 million domestically, while Bloomberg reported the opening figure for US and Canadian theaters at $30.6 million.

Regardless of the $1 million variance in reporting, the debut shattered the North American opening-weekend record for a live-action, foreign-language film, surpassing the $17.8 million benchmark set by Hero in 2004, according to Bounding Into Comics.

It also nearly tripled the $11.4 million domestic start of Godzilla Minus One, which eventually grossed $57 million in North America.

Globally, the Toho production has already proven highly lucrative against its lean $13 million to $18 million production budget. Anime News Network reported an estimated $63 million worldwide total following its opening weekend, while Deadline later noted that the film reached $73.6 million globally by the end of its first full week. Bounding Into Comics noted a mid-week worldwide figure of $67.4 million.

For its second weekend, analysts expect the monster movie to cede the top podium spot while remaining a major draw. JoBlo projects Godzilla Minus Zero will take second place with roughly $15 million, whereas Box Office Theory forecasts a steeper drop to $11.8 million across 3,254 theaters.

Premium Screens and Broader Weekend Competition

A critical factor in the weekend race is the allocation of premium large-format auditoriums. Distributed in North America by GKIDS, Godzilla Minus Zero is the first Japanese feature filmed specifically for IMAX.

Premium formats—including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and 4DX—accounted for 74 percent of its opening domestic revenue, with IMAX locations alone generating $12.7 million domestically and $21 million globally. Backed by an "A" CinemaScore, a 90 percent Critics Score, and a 96 percent Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes, the sequel's visual spectacle featuring the arrival of King Ghidorah continues to draw moviegoers willing to pay higher ticket prices.

Elsewhere on the theatrical slate, holdovers and smaller new releases are vying for the remaining spots in the top five:

  • The Cat in the Hat: After opening to $20.5 million across 4,003 screens last week, the animated family film is projected by JoBlo to land in third place with approximately $12 million.
  • How to Rob a Bank: Directed by David Leitch and starring Nicholas Hoult and John C. Reilly, the Amazon/MGM action release was pushed back from an earlier fall date. The Hollywood Reporter notes the movie is tracking for a high-single-digit debut, with JoBlo predicting $8 million and Box Office Theory forecasting $5.5 million.
  • Ghost Soldier: The drama starring Jim Caviezel opened on Veterans Day ahead of the weekend frame and is expected to earn up to $4 million, rounding out the top five.

Key Questions for the Weekend Box Office

Will Ebenezer's $1.5 million preview start translate into the studio target or higher forecasts?

The $1.5 million earned during Thursday previews puts the film directly on pace to meet Paramount's conservative $20 million domestic projection. Reaching Box Office Theory's $23.5 million forecast will depend on walk-up family and adult audiences over Saturday and Sunday.

How much will Godzilla Minus Zero decline in its second weekend?

Forecasts put its second-weekend gross between $11.8 million and $15 million, representing a decline of roughly 52 percent to 62 percent from its $31.6 million debut. Its ability to hold the upper end of those estimates rests on how many IMAX and Dolby Cinema screens it retains against new releases.

What drives audience interest in Ebenezer?

As noted by BBC, the release serves as a major test for Depp's box-office viability following his high-profile legal battles with Amber Heard.

Simultaneously, Paramount is banking on the seasonal familiarity of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol paired with Ti West's distinct directorial style to attract both general holiday crowds and genre fans.

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