Ebenezer Teaser Trailer And Poster

All images: Paramount

I love Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge's story of redemption is one I read and watch most every year. This year, there's a new version heading to theaters, with a rather unexpected star: Johnny Depp.

Here's the official synopsis from Paramount: 

This November, Johnny Depp is Ebenezer Scrooge. The name you know, the story you don’t. From Ti West, "Ebenezer" also stars Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Charlie Murphy, with Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen.

Ebenezer arrives in theaters on November 13th.

A Christmas Carol Quote

Jim Henson Company

"I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."

- Nephew Fred, A Christmas Carol

It Feels Like Christmas

Jim Henson Company

I love nearly every version of Dicken's A Christmas Carol. There's something delightful about discovering which twist each film will include. In the Muppet Christmas Carol, each of the ghosts is, quite appropriately, a Muppet. The Muppet version of the Ghost of Christmas Present is my absolute favorite of any film. He's just so jolly! Here, he's singing to Scrooge about what makes it feel like Christmas. 

The Muppet Christmas Carol is available on DisneyPlus.

Mickey’s Christmas Carol On Main Street

I love the decorated windows of the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom. There's always something fun to see. For Christmas, each window features a scene from Mickey’s Christmas Carol. In this window, Scrooge is quaking in his bed upon meeting Willie the Giant as the Ghost of Christmas Present.

Charles Dickens Quote

Bleeker Street

"No one is useless in this world

who lightens the burden of another."

- Charles Dickens, The Man Who Invented Christmas

Muppet Christmas Carol Funko POPs

All images: Funko

I know it's too early to be thinking about Christmas, but have you seen these adorable Funko POPVinyl from the Muppets Christmas Carol? The Muppet version is one of my favorite movies of Dickens' classic tale, so I have to add these to my collection. Above is Gonzo as Charles Dickens with Rizzo the Rat. A flocked version of the pair is available for pre-order from Amazon for $15.00.

Next up is Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit and Robin as Tiny Tim.

Miss Piggy makes an appearance as Emily Cratchit,

while Fozzie Bear is the lovable owner of a rubber chicken factory, Mr Fozziwig.

Statler and Waldorf are ready to heckle as the ghostly Marley Brothers.

And finally, Michael Caine's redeemed Ebeneezer Scrooge, wearing the scarf Beaker gave him.

All of the figures, except the Marley Brothers, sell for $11.99. The Marley Brothers are $19.99. The Muppet Christmas Carol Funko POPs will be released sometime in October, but are available for pre-order from several different retailers now.

Spirited

Apple

I have always loved Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It's such a wonderful story that shows anyone can change, if they truly want to. And there are so many different movie versions, each with their own unique take on the haunting of Ebeneezer Scrooge. This year, Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell are putting a whole new spin on the classic tale, and it's a musical.

Spirited arrives on AppleTV+ on November 18th.

Quote of the Week

TNT

There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.

- Ebenezer Scrooge, 

A Christmas Carol

Quote of the Week

TNT

Therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that Christmas has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!

- Nephew Fred, A Christmas Carol

Christmas Movies To Put You In The Holiday Spirit

Jim Henson Company

I love Christmas movies! From animated Disney tales to every possible version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, I can easily find a movie for every day of the month. Here are a few of my favorites.

Eloise at Christmastime

Eloise: Little Miss Christmas

Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas

Mickey's Twice Upon A Christmas

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

Prep & Landing

Prep & Landing: Naughty vs Nice

How to Train Your Dragon: Gift of the Night Fury

Shrek the Halls

Kung Fu Panda Holiday

Merry Madagascar

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special

Disney

Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Christmas

Yes, Virginia

The Santa Clause Trilogy

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Santa and Pete

The Polar Express

Muppet Christmas Carol

Arthur Christmas

Klaus

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

TNT

White Christmas

Miracle on 34th Street

The Man Who Saved Christmas

Silent Night

The Holiday

A Christmas Carol

Scrooge

A Christmas Carol: The Musical

And here are a few more I've discovered recently.

Illumination

The Grinch - This delightful retelling of the Grinch shows him as hating Christmas simply because he's lonely. In this version, he's not terribly mean, even to his dog Max, just a bit ornery when it comes to how the Whos down in Who-ville celebrate Christmas. 

DreamWorks

How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming - Hiccup and Astrid are preparing to celebrate Snoggletog in New Berk when they discover that their kids don't understand dragons. At the same time, Toothless' children are trying to understand their father's obsession with Hiccup. All of the kids will discover something new this holiday.

Bleecker Street

The Man Who Invented Christmas - Have you ever wondered about the man behind A Christmas Carol? Charles Dickens changed our views of Christmas, making it an important and charitable holiday, with the incredible story of Ebenezer Scrooge. This movie tells the story of Scrooge's creation.

Quote of the Week

And it was always said of Scrooge, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.  May that be truly said of us, and all of us!  And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!

- Narrator, A Christmas Carol 

Quote of the Week

Scrooge is visited by Marley's ghost, John Leech, 1843

"But you were always a good man of business, Jacob," faltered Scrooge.

"Business!" cried the Ghost. "Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The deals of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"

Merry Christmas

TNT

"I will honor Christmas in my heart

and try to keep it all the year."

- Ebeneezer Scrooge,
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Muppet Christmas Carol 20th Anniversary

Jim Henson Company

I know it's a little early for Christmas, but I just love the Muppets and this was too funny not to share.

In honor of the Muppets Christmas Carol 20th Anniversary Edition coming to DVD and Bluray, Muppet Studios has released a music video featuring Camilla and her chicken friends singing "Joy To the World". It's hilarious!

Quote of the Week

Disney

I will honor Christmas in my heart,

and try to keep it all the year.

- Ebeneezer Scrooge, 
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol