Forget Ebenezer, Johnny Depps Near-Perfect 105-Minute Gothic Fantasy Officially Sets Netflix Release

Johnny Depp‘s Hollywood comeback continues this weekend with the release of Ebenezer. Thus far, the new interpretation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has yet to win over critics, as it debuted to just a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 59 reviews. However, there is one movie in Depp’s filmography that went on to become a near-perfect Gothic fantasy classic. Now, 36 years later, it’s officially coming to Netflix.

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton’s First Collaboration Was a Wonderfully Quirky Success

Opening wide on Dec. 14, 1990, Edward Scissorhands marked what would be the start of a beautiful friendship between Depp and director Tim Burton. Their first collaboration together was a roaring success that earned more than four times its $20 million budget at the box office. Since then, the pair have made seven more films together, with the latest being 2012’s Dark Shadows.

Starring Depp as the eponymous, Frankenstein-like creation, the film follows Edward, an artificial man whose eccentric inventor dies before completing his work, leaving him with scissors for hands. Living in isolation for years, Edward is eventually discovered by Peg Boggs (Dianne Weist), a friendly Avon saleswoman who takes him home to live with her family.

While the neighbors at first take to Edward thanks to his uncanny ability to create elaborate topiary sculptures, groom dogs, and cut hair, things get a little more complicated when he falls in love with Peg’s daughter, Kim (Winona Ryder). From there, the film becomes a wonderfully quirky examination of jealousy, misunderstandings, and small-town gossip that teaches Edward that being different can make him both a celebrity and a target (which is not unlike Depp’s own experiences).

Also starring Anthony Michael Hall, Kathy Baker, Vincent Price, and Alan Arkin, Edward Scissorhands is a bittersweet romance that features Burton’s signature combination of quirky humor, gothic imagery, and heartfelt storytelling. The film essentially set the stage for much of his career, while at the same time helping Depp shed his teen-idol image (thank you, 21 Jump Street) and establish himself as a legitimate leading man.

Thankfully, for those who weren’t impressed by Ebenezer, or for those who were and just want more Depp in their lives, Edward Scissorhands has officially set a new streaming release date. Per Movies of the Night, the film will land on Netflix on Dec. 1, so you can either revisit it for the hundredth time, or introduce it to someone who has yet to bask in its greatness.

‘Edward Scissorhands’ Deserves Its Near-Perfect Reputation

While there are obviously many movies that divide critics and audiences, Edward Scissorhands is not one of them. To this day, the film holds a near-perfect rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes‘ Tomatometer, and a phenomenal 91% on the Popcornmeter. The movie united the two groups like few have, with the consensus reading that it’s “a magical modern fairy tale with gothic overtones and a sweet center.”

Sadly, Burton and Depp have nothing in the works together right now that we know of, but never say never. When asked by NME in 2024 if there would ever be another collaboration between the two, he replied, “Well, I’m sure there will be.” That’s good news, but don’t get your hopes up for a sequel to Edward Scissorhands, because the filmmaker said it’s never going to happen.

Release Date

December 14, 1990

Runtime

105 minutes