Johnny Depp Picks His Own Favorite Movie From His Career
Johnny Depp is a performer whose career has been defined by a total commitment to metamorphosis, from the swashbuckling Jack Sparrow to the tragic Edward Scissorhands. While his personal life has faced immense public scrutiny in recent years, his reverence for the art of cinema remains the core of his identity.
When reflecting on his vast filmography, Depp once revealed that his most cherished project wasn’t a massive blockbuster, but a black-and-white biopic that celebrated a kindred spirit in the world of B-movies.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Depp shared a list of his all-time favorite films and, in the process, identified his own best work as Tim Burton’s 1994 masterpiece Ed Wood.
Despite being the star of the film, Depp looked at the project with a sense of detached admiration, describing the movie as a tender, comic gem. For Depp, the film was more than just a job; it was a deeply personal tribute to a filmmaker who was often dismissed by the industry he loved.
Working on the film allowed Depp to strengthen his creative bond with director Tim Burton, whom he considers to be more of a brother than a mere collaborator. Their shared sensibility made the story of Edward D. Wood Jr.—a director famous for his relentless optimism in the face of zero-budget disasters—a transformative experience for both of them.
Depp noted that the production was defined by an amazing cast, which included legendary names like Martin Landau and Bill Murray. Landau, who played the aging horror icon Bela Lugosi, earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance, a win that Depp found deeply moving.
He credited the film’s success to the unique environment Burton created on set, noting that the artistic freedom we had allowed them to craft what he now considers an American classic. The film serves as a playful, hypnotic love letter to the “worst director of all time,” finding beauty in the sheer determination of a man who simply wanted to tell stories.
As of February, Johnny Depp is currently in the midst of a massive professional resurgence, moving away from independent European projects back toward major studio productions.
He is currently in London filming a gothic, supernatural adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic titled Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol. Directed by Ti West, the film sees Depp undergoing a dramatic transformation to play a grittier, more skeletal version of Scrooge, starring alongside a cast that includes Andrea Riseborough, Ian McKellen, and Daisy Ridley.
Beyond his work in front of the camera, Depp recently celebrated a milestone as a director with the late 2025 release of Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness. The film, which features Al Pacino and Riccardo Scamarcio, marked Depp’s first time in the director’s chair in over twenty-five years.
He is also preparing for a major musical comeback this summer, as his supergroup, the Hollywood Vampires, has announced a 14-date European tour beginning in London this August.
While his future with the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise remains a subject of intense speculation, rumors have intensified this week that he may return for a “soft reboot” focusing on a new generation of pirates.
Do you think Johnny Depp’s focus on transformative, prosthetics-heavy roles like Ebenezer Scrooge is the best way for him to win back the mainstream audience? Share your thoughts in the comments.