Few stories in the history of literature have been adapted more than Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Originally published almost 200 years ago, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge learning the meaning of Christmas after being visited by three different ghosts has been made, remade, and made again. Truly, there are movies out there you may not even realize are A Christmas Carol that are actually A Christmas Carol.
This weekend, a new version hits theaters: Ebenezer, from director Ti West and starring Johnny Depp. It’s being sold as a more horror-forward version of the story, and while we have yet to see it, we know one thing for sure. In the nearly two centuries since its publication, Dickens’ tale has proven itself malleable to any and every single genre, horror included.
So whether you head to the theaters to see Ebenezer or not, here are five other Christmas Carol adaptations we love that are worth checking out.
Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is an evil TV executive who, while producing a live-action version of Scrooge, gets “scrooged” himself. Boasting a who’s who of 1980s stars (Karen Allen, Alfre Woodard, Bobcat Goldthwait, Carol Kane, etc.) along with a beyond hilarious, unforgettable turn from Murray, Scrooged is somehow funny, heartwearming, and oddly terrifying all at once.
