Johnny Depp's Hollywood Comeback: 'Day Drinker' Gets March 2027 Release Date from Lionsgate

Johnny Depp Is Back — And Lionsgate Has Picked the Date

If you thought Johnny Depp had faded from the Hollywood spotlight, think again. Lionsgate just confirmed that "Day Drinker" — the action thriller starring Depp alongside Penélope Cruz and Madelyn Cline — will hit theaters on March 26, 2027. This marks one of Depp's first mainstream Hollywood studio movies since his highly publicized legal battles, and fans are already buzzing.

What We Know About "Day Drinker"

"Day Drinker" follows a private-yacht bartender played by Madelyn Cline (best known from Netflix's "Outer Banks") who crosses paths with a mysterious onboard guest portrayed by Depp. Things get complicated when both characters become entangled with a dangerous criminal figure played by Cruz — and discover they're connected in ways neither of them expected.

Behind the camera, Marc Webb — the director behind "The Amazing Spider-Man" and Disney's "Snow White" remake — is calling the shots. The screenplay comes from Zach Dean, whose writing credits include "The Tomorrow War" and "Fast X". On the production side, Thunder Road is on board with Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee producing the project. If those names sound familiar, it's because they're the same team behind Lionsgate's massive "John Wick" franchise. Additional producers include Adam Kolbrenner, Dean, and Nathan Kahane.

A Reunion Three Films in the Making

This isn't the first time Depp and Cruz have shared screen time. The two have appeared together in three previous films: "Blow" (2001), "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" (2011), and "Murder on the Orient Express" (2017). Their on-screen chemistry has always been a draw, and "Day Drinker" looks to capitalize on that proven dynamic.

For Depp specifically, this project represents a significant moment. After losing his U.K. libel case in 2020, he was forced out of the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise and hadn't been hired by a major U.S. studio since 2018. While he stayed busy with international projects — including "Jeanne du Barry" (2023) and his directorial effort "Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness" — a mainstream Hollywood comeback has been the one thing fans have been waiting for. He's also set to appear in "Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol" at Paramount this November.

Lionsgate Shuffles Its 2027 Slate

The "Day Drinker" announcement came with a schedule shakeup: the film takes the March 26 slot originally reserved for Mel Gibson's "The Resurrection of the Christ Part One," which has been pushed back to May 6, 2027. Lionsgate will release the two Gibson films — Parts One and Two — a year apart rather than the originally planned 40-day window.

Bottom Line

With Marc Webb directing, a proven production team behind it, and the star power of Depp and Cruz reuniting on screen, "Day Drinker" is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about releases of early 2027. Mark your calendars for March 26.