Johnny Depp’s 2005 classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is proving its golden ticket is still valid, crashing into Netflix’s Global Top 10 in 2026. Johnny Depp and Tim Burton share a creative partnership that has produced some of cinema’s most unforgettable characters. From the tender melancholy of Edward Scissorhands to the macabre whimsy of Corpse Bride.

Their collaborations bring out Depp’s wildest performances. Burton’s gothic sensibility pairs perfectly with Depp’s ability to embody outsiders, creating films that are haunting yet deeply satisfying. And Charlie and the Chocolate Factory does exactly that. 

The 2005 musical fantasy, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, brings Johnny Depp’s eccentric Willy Wonka back into the spotlight, introducing younger viewers to a peculiar version of Roald Dahl’s famous chocolatier. Netflix added the film to several regional libraries in 2026, including its United States catalog in July.

Directed by Tim Burton and based on Roald Dahl’s beloved novel, the story follows Charlie Bucket, a kind-hearted boy who discovers a golden ticket hidden inside a chocolate bar. The prize grants him access to Wonka’s mysterious factory, where he joins four other children for a tour filled with spectacular inventions, bizarre encounters and unexpected consequences.

Freddie Highmore leads the film as Charlie, while Helena Bonham Carter, Christopher Lee and David Kelly round out the cast. Depp approaches Wonka with an unusual mixture of childish energy, theatrical mannerisms and unsettling eccentricity. The movie became a substantial theatrical success, earning more than $475 million worldwide following its 2005 release. Its continued presence across streaming services shows how the story has retained a place in popular culture.

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The renewed attention arrives at an interesting moment for Depp, with another eccentric literary character now preparing to enter his filmography.

Johnny Depp is returning to the big screen as Ebenezer Scrooge in Ebenezer, a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The project is directed by Ti West, making it a significant departure from the Burton collaborations that shaped several memorable chapters of Depp’s career. The film is scheduled for release on November 13, 2026.

At San Diego Comic-Con in July, Depp surprised attendees by appearing in full Scrooge costume outside the convention. Wearing a Victorian overcoat and top hat, he stayed in character while addressing fans gathered around the promotional activation. The appearance quickly became one of the event’s memorable celebrity moments.

The timing gives Depp another chance to embrace a larger-than-life character rooted in classic literature. His appearance as Scrooge also arrives as audiences rediscover one of his most recognizable family roles through Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

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What do you think about Johnny Depp’s return to eccentric literary characters? Let us know in the comments.