The horror genre's renaissance is showing no signs of slowing down, to the delight of fans like me. Some of the best horror movies have returned to theaters with new sequels, including Wes Craven's Scream. Drew Barrymore was famously killed off in the 1996 original, but she recently dropped an A+ way that her character could be brought back for an upcoming horror movie. Let's break it all down.

Scream continues to be one of the best horror franchises, and we've recently gotten three new movies in theaters (and streaming with a Paramount+ subscription). The seventh movie brought back a ton of dead legacy characters, and while speaking to Laurie Metcalf about her cameo on The Drew Barrymore Show, the E.T. star icon offered a way Casey Becker could return. In her words:

Honestly, I'm in. While the Scream movies have gone in deep about Sidney Prescott's backstory and her mother Maureen's history, they haven't done a deep dive on some of Ghostface's early victims. And it would be awesome to learn more about Casey's life prior to being the slasher franchise's opening victim.

The reason for Casey's murder only becomes obvious towards the end of the original Scream movie, when the identity of Ghostface(s) is revealed. It turns out that Stu was mad that she broke up with him to date Steve, which is why they were targeted in that iconic kill sequence. And the hardcore fans like me would no doubt enjoy seeing this dynamic play out.

Obviously this is unlikely, given that decades have passed since Drew Barrymore brought Casey to life (and death) in Scream. So either the role would need to be recast, or de-aging technology would need to be utilized in order to make this story come to life. Still, it's a fun entry point that I've got to tip my hat to Barrymore for.

Drew has played Casey a few times during her talk show's run, rocking that blonde wig and white sweater to great success. And now that Scream 7 included the return of Laurie Metcalf, Scott Foley, Matthew Lillard, and David Arquette, just about anything feels possible. So why not find a way to explore more of Casey Becker's story?

Scream 7 is still in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release list, and the rest of the franchise is streaming over on Paramount+. We'll just have to wait and see if Drew Barrymore ever get to retun to the role of Casey on the big screen.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains mild spoilers for both Send Help and Red Eye. If you have not seen one or both of the movies and don’t want to know anything about them before doing so, proceed at your own risk!

In case you haven’t heard, Sam Raimi’s Send Help is fantastic. Fans of the Evil Dead legend have not seen a new horror film from the director since 2009’s Drag Me To Hell, but his latest contribution to the genre is a funny, gory, and impish delight. I hope all movie-goers are respecting the buzz and making a special point of going to see it on the big screen this weekend – and if that includes you, might I recommend pairing it with another excellent title from a little over 20 years ago to create what is an unintentionally perfect double feature: Wes Craven’s Red Eye.

The two films have an obvious connection in that they both feature Rachel McAdams in the lead role and have respected genre masters at the helm, but their connections go beyond that thanks to shared plot elements and themes. And, what makes the movies a great double feature is that while they have those elements in common, each takes a very different and very entertaining approach to them. Allow me to explain…

Mile-High Terror

“Would you ever get on a plane with Rachel McAdams?” On its surface, that isn’t much of a question, as while I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure of personally meeting the Game Night star, she seems like a perfectly pleasant person who I’d have a hard time imagining as the source of an airborne disturbance. If one were to take her cinematic track record into account, however, that might be a reason to be a touch concerned. Between Red Eye and now Send Help, McAdams has experienced her fair share of mile-high terror, and what’s particularly cool about the films as a pair is that they explore totally disparate aspects of that common fear.

The former is certainly the more subtle of the two in that it doesn’t actually conjure any scares from the flight itself. Rather, it’s about the horror that is being totally surrounded by people and yet left utterly helpless. I often like to think of planes as safe environments thanks to a kind of panopticon effect (in such an intimate space, there is a sense of everyone watching everyone), but Red Eye perverts that security with McAdams’ protagonist, Lisa Reisert, publicly taken hostage by Cillian Murphy’s assassination coordinator Jackson Rippner. Any effort to impede his plans of organizing the death of the United States Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security means a hitman getting the green light to execute her father (Brian Cox).

Send Help offers a more traditional exploitation of aerophobia – albeit in a private plane instead of a commercial one. As terrifying as it would be to be silently taken captive while in the air, that fear isn’t nearly as prevalent as the idea of mechanical failure leading to disaster, and that’s exactly what McAdams’ Linda Little undergoes in the new Sam Raimi release. It’s not just an incident of engines dying and the aircraft plummeting down into the ocean: because this is a Raimi movie, that means we get bouncing bodies, characters screaming while they cling for dear life, and plenty of splatter.

The fact that both movies explore separate material within the same fear arena makes for a fun connection in consideration of a Red Eye-Send Help double-feature (albeit with very different levels of focus, as it’s only one sequence in the latter film), but the really good stuff that makes the titles a natural pair comes from the dynamics established between their respective main characters.

Gender Dynamics Influenced By Past Trauma

Settings and specific details create some distance between the two films when one is taking a simple view of their plots, but analysis reveals a shared core: an inter-gender relationship that develops an extreme power dynamic between the protagonist and antagonist.

In this respect, Red Eye is the more traditional movie. The first move that we see Jackson make is seduction, coming to her aid trying to calm an irate fellow passenger, getting quickly personal and playing a game of “bet I can guess your drink” at the airport bar, and that proves to be an effort to simply disarm her. Once he reveals his true mission, his entire effort becomes about domination, and while he wears a mask of professionalism, it’s not subtle that he is very much enjoying his control.

Lisa, revealed to be the survivor of a past assault, is the proverbial fly trapped in a web and quietly works to save the lives of both the DHS secretary and her dad.

The first act of Send Help uses the same clay to mold a different shape. Threat of death isn’t a part of the relationship between Linda and her sexist, entitled, nepo baby boss, Bradley (Dylan O’Brien), but her livelihood is. Her career aspirations are put in his hands after Bradley’s father leaves him his company, and he opts to willfully exert his power over her just because he doesn’t like the way she looks or the fact that she eats tuna for lunch – first passing her over for a promotion and then making plans to fire her.

Of course, that all changes after the plane crash. Like Lisa, Linda also has a past as a victim, and when she is given the opportunity to subvert that kind of pain, she takes it. Her extreme survivor skills cause her relationship with Bradley to invert when they are stranded on a deserted island together, and in the antithesis of the Lisa/Jackson conflict, the thrust of the story becomes the effort to maintain this new status quo (with delightfully horrifying results).

It’s a bit oxymoronic, but this contrasting match is what makes Red Eye and Send Help a great pair.

Which Should You Watch First?

This feature was partially inspired by the fact that I opted to give Red Eye a rewatch in the aftermath of going to see Send Help, which helped reveal their interesting commonalities, but my personal recommendation would be that you flip that order to get the most out of the double-feature experience.

There’s obviously no canonical connection between the two movies, but if you want to witness the more obvious progression for “Rachel McAdams characters with names that start with L,” it makes more sense to start with the 2005 Wes Craven film: Linda’s rule feels properly situated following Lisa’s fight.

While Send Help is now playing exclusively in theaters, Red Eye is an easy film to find and watch in the comfort of your own home: it’s presently available to stream if you have a Paramount+ subscription, it’s available for digital rental and/or purchase from all major online outlets, and physical media fans can pick up copies on 4K UHD and Blu-ray. Just time out an hour-and-a-half before you have to leave for the cinema and you’ll be in horror cinephile heaven.

Wes Craven's Scream is one of the best horror movies of all time, and started a long-running horror franchise that's still active today. The series, which is streaming with a Paramount+ subscription, has featured actress Hayden Panettiere in two movies as Kirby Reed. And she recently explained the lesson that Craven taught her while filming the fourth movie that really stuck with her.

Wes Craven's death in 2015 left behind a legacy of horror classics, including the Scream movies. Plenty of the late filmmaker's collaborators continue to praise him, including Panettiere. She spoke to EW about working on him in Scream 4, and the way he directed her in the slasher. In the actress' words:

This shows just how methodically Craven worked on his horror movies, particularly the Scream franchise. He needed actors to do their scenes at a very specific pace in order to build the tension throughout Scream 4. And that piece of advice was a memorable part of Hayden Panettiere's collaboration with the iconic director.

Despite having an understanding of what Craven needed, the Heroes alum admitted that she still felt like she was moving too slowly in her debut performance as Kirby. In the same interview, she spoke about how she didn't fully understand this choice until she was able to see the fourth Scream movie's edit. As she told it:

I rank Scream 4 high on the franchise as a whole, and it stands out as Wes Craven's final directorial venture before his death. And while Panettiere was originally uncomfortable the pacing of scenes when shooting, she saw how it all made sense once the movie was edited together and given suspenseful music.

Longtime fans of the franchise were hyped when Hayden Panettiere returned as Kirby in Scream VI, even managing to survive another encounter with Ghostface. While she's not expected to appear in the seventh movie, the door is still open for another return. During that interview the former child actor spoke more about what she learned from Craven, offering:

It sounds like Craven's way of working really stuck with Panettiere, and will influence how she offers direction in the future. And I hope that she ends up getting behind the camera sooner rather than later.

What we know about Scream 7 is limited, but fans are hyped for Neve Campbell's return as Sidney Prescott. While there are a bunch of legacy characters included, unfortunately it doesn't seem like Kirby Reed is included. Fingers crossed we see her sometime in the future.

Scream 4 is streaming on Paramount+ and Scream 7 will hit theaters on February 27th as part of the 2026 movie release list. The franchise is alive and well, and we have Wes Craven to thank for that.

The horror genre has been thriving for years, to the joy of fans like me. Some of the best horror movies have returned with new sequels, including Scream. The last two movies (which are streaming with a Paramount+ subscription) were a huge success, and the seventh installment is one of the most highly anticipated upcoming horror movies. Actor Ethan Embry has a role in that slasher, and recently spoke about his failed audition for Wes Craven dating back to thee 1996 original.

What we know about Scream 7 is limited, but director (and OG writer) Kevin Williamson has brought together a strong ensemble of actors. Embry is one of many newcomers joining the property, but spoke to Bloody Disgusting about his history with Scream. As he started,

The original Scream was a huge success, and its meta comedy and bloody violence influenced countless slashers that followed. And per Ethan Embry, he's wanted to get his own call with Ghostface since the movie's humble beginnings. Talk about the long game.

Embry is one of many familiar faces who is set to appear in the upcoming sequel, with Joel McHale landing a Scream 7 role as Sidney's husband. In the same interview, the Can't Hardly Wait alum spoke about his original audition for late filmmaker Wes Craven. In his words:

Ouch. In the end the original Scream cast was iconic, and it's hard to imagine anyone else in the roles. Although now I'm wondering more about which character Ethan Embry was auditioning for, and exactly what Mr. Kraven offered as criticism. Oh, to be a fly on the wall.

Personally I can see Embry as more of a Randy than Billy Loomis. While he has leading man energy, I think he has the comedic chops that could have pulled off the role famously played by Jamie Kennedy in the original trilogy. Funny enough, Kennedy was originally rejected for the role. It certainly seems like Randy was one of the hardest characters to cast.

Ethan Embry's mysterious role in Scream 7 will be revealed when the highly anticipated slasher sequel arrives in theaters on February 27th, 2026. Since it's not part of the 2025 movie release list, fans will likely have to be patient for more information.

It's not unusual for directors to star in their own movies. Alfred Hitchcock famously made cameos in almost all of his movies and Quentin Tarantino appears in all of his in one way or another. It's rarer for a director to appear in a fellow director's movie. It's hardly unheard of, as we found plenty of interesting examples. So without further ado, here is our list of directors who appeared on other directors' movies.

Steven Spielberg - The Blues Brothers

Before the tragic accident on the set of The Twilight Zone, John Landis and Steven Spielberg were good friends. So good, in fact, that Spielberg showed up in a cameo in the Landis classic The Blues Brothers. Spielberg plays the Cook Country Accessor at the end of the movie who takes payment from Jake and Elwood.

David Lynch - The Fablemans

In a very meta moment, David Lynch plays another great director, John Ford, in Steven Spielberg's The Fablemans. The late Lynch didn't show up in movies often, even his own, so it's a fun moment in a movie by a legend, starring a legend as a legend.

John Landis - Spider-man 2

John Landis has twice done cameos in Sam Rami movies, both times appearing as a doctor, the most famous of which was in Spider-Man 2 where he plays a doctor killed by Doctor Octopus after performing surgery on the villain. It's a super quick moment and one that is easy to miss.

David Fincher - Being John Malkovich

David Fincher has occasionally popped into his own movies, including playing the voice of John Doe on the telephone so as to not give away the surprise later. He also has shown up in other directors' movies, specifically as a puppet expert in Spike Jonze's Being John Malkovich.

Roger Corman - The Silence Of The Lambs

Legendary B-movie director Roger Corman has a habit of showing up in other directors' work. It makes sense as he's a huge hero to many filmmakers who grew up watching his movies. In Jonathan Demme's The Silence of the Lambs, Corman plays the FBI director in one scene.

George Lucas - Beverly Hills Cop III

Beverly Hills Cop 3 is a pretty terrible movie, though thankfully the franchise was redeemed decades later with Axel F. Still, there is a pretty funny cameo in the movie when none other than George Lucas pops into the movie as a disgruntled patron of the amusement park that is central to the story.

Tim Burton - Singles

Tim Burton is not a director that shows up on the other side of the camera very often. In fact he has fleetingly few acting roles, but he does appear in Cameron Crowe's Singles. Crowe also has a cameo himself in the film.

Sam Raimi - Miller's Crossing

Sam Raimi is a director with a lot of acting roles on his resume, in his own film and in the movies by friends of his. One such cameo is in Miller's Crossing, a movie by the Coen Brothers. Raimi also has a cameo in another Coen Brothers movie, The Hudsucker Proxy.

Gus Van Sant - The Canyons

Gus Van Sant has a bit more than just a cameo in The Canyons, a movie that flew way under the radar when it was released in 2013, starring Lindsey Lohan. Van Sant plays a psychologist in the movie and has more than a couple lines, unlike many on this list.

Quentin Tarantino - Sleep With Me

Quentin Tarantino is always happy to cast himself in his own movies, but even before he was one of the premiere directors in Hollywood, he was popping up in movies he didn't direct. In Sleep With Me, by director Rory Kelly, which came out a month before Pulp Fiction, Tarantino has a memorable moment as a chatty party guest who breaks down the movie Top Gun in a very unconventional way.

Martin Scorsese - Quiz Show

Martin Scorsese's most famous on screen moment is as a rider in Travis' (Robert De Niro) cab in his own movie, Taxi Driver. He also shows up in Qui Show, directed by Robert Redford.

Tobe Hooper - Sleepwalkers

Tobe Hooper is a horror movie legend for his work directing the slasher classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in the 1970s. In 1992 he popped up in a cameo working alongside Stephen King in the adaptation of King's novel Sleepwalkers.

John Waters - Something Wild

Director John Waters has been in many of his own movies, but he occasionally shows up in other movies as well, like Something Wild by director Jonathan Demme in 1986. Waters plays a sketchy car dealer in the movie and is one of the most fun parts of the movie.

Amy Heckerling - Into The Night

1985's Into the Night was John Landis' return to directing after being cleared of manslaughter charges as a result of the on-set tragedy during the filming of The Twilight Zone movie. In the movie, another director, Amy Heckerling, shows up in a cameo as a waitress.

Jonathan Demme - That Thing You Do!

Appropriately Jonathan Demme, who had a number of directors appear in his films, plays a film director in That Thing You Do! It's a brief role, of course, and it is one of the only times the late Demme appeared in another director's film. Into the Night by John Landis being another.

Roger Corman - The Godfather Part II

Roger Corman, one of the most influential directors of all time had a few cameos over his career with one of the most memorable coming in The Godfather II, where he played one of the senators grilling Michael Corlene (Al Pacino) in the Francis Ford Coppola classic.

Spike Jonze - The Game

Before David Fincher returned the favor for Spike Jonze in Being John Malkovich, Jonze appeared in Fincher's The Game, one of the most underrated movies by a big-time director.

Wes Craven - Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back

The late Wes Craven appeared in movies or TV shows as an actor 24 times according to IMDB, though most of his movie appearances were in his own movies. One exception was when he appeared in Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back playing a version of himself directing a cartoonish version of Scream.

Frank Oz - Spies Like Us

Frank Oz has appeared as an actor in a bunch of movies, including The Blues Brothers, Trading Places, Knives Out, not to mention all his puppet and voice work over the years. One of his best cameos came in Spies Like Us where he played the proctor of a civil service exam. It's truly a classic and maybe the funniest moment in the movie.

Cameron Crowe - Minority Report

Cameron Crowe has a very brief cameo as a man on riding public transportation in Minority Report by director Steven Spielberg. If you blink - or aren't sure what he looks like - you're sure to miss the moment, but it's there. In fact, another Cameron, Cameron Diaz, is in the background of the same scene.

Robert Downey, Sr. - Boogie Nights

In his day, Robert Downey Sr. was pretty famous. Of course, that fame has been eclipsed by his son, but that doesn't mean he did carry a lot of respect within the industry even late in his life. Like when Paul Thomas Anderson worked him into a cameo in Boogie Nights.

Frank Darabont - King Kong

For many, The Shawshank Redemption is the best movie of the 1990s. It's director, Frank Darabont, doesn't make a cameo in Shawshank or any of his other movies, but he is very briefly in Peter Jackson's King Kong. It's another "blink-and-you-will-miss-it" kind of role.

Lawrence Kasdan - As Good As It Gets

Writer and director Lawrence Kasdan is most famous for writing both Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He's also directed movies like Grand Canyon, The Big Chill, and Silverado. On rare occasions, he's taken acting roles like he did in As Good As It Gets, by director James L. Brooks of Simpsons fame. Kasdan plays a psychologist in the movie.

James Cameron - The Muse

The Muse, directed by Albert Brooks, features a handful of cameos by famous directors including Martin Scorsese and Rob Reiner. In a rare appearance on the other side camera is also director James Cameron, who only has a few acting credits to his name.

Mel Brooks - The Muppet Movie

it's certainly not surprising to see Mel Brooks on the big screen, but it is rare to see in a movie that he didn't write and direct. That's part of what makes his cameo in The Muppet Movie so much fun. The legendary EGOT winner plays the evil Professor Krassman who is working to control the minds of frogs. It's worth noting that despite his delightful performance, it's not one that contributed to his EGOT.

Eli Roth - Inglourious Basterds

Eli Roth is as much an actor as he is a director, though in recent years he's concentrated on the latter. Sure he appears in his own films, but he's also been a collaborator with Quentin Tarantino a couple of times, first in Death Proof and then in a more prominent role in Inglourious Basterds.

Jim Jarmusch - Sling Blade

Director Jim Jarmusch has a unique style as a director and so it makes sense he would appear in a movie with its own unique angle, Sling Blade, by director and actor Billy Bob Thornton. Jarmusch plays the server at a food truck in the movie, serving up French fried potaters.

David Cronenberg - Jason X

David Cronenberg has a long history with the Friday The 13th franchise, having directed an episode of Friday the 13th: The Series in 1988. He shows up in a cameo in Jason X.

John Sayles - Malcolm X

John Sayles has directed some great movies over the years including Eight Men Out and Passion Fish. He's also occasionally done a bit of acting, mostly in cameos like as a memorable FBI agent in Spike Lee's classic Malcolm X.

Werner Herzog - Jack Reacher

German director is never shy about being in front of the camera as he often appears in his own films and occasionally acts in other stuff, like playing a wonderful role on The Mandalorian on Disney Plus. He also makes a great cameo in the Tom Cruise-led Jack Reacher from 2012.

Martin Brest - Fast Times At Ridgemont High

Before Martin Brest hit the big time as a director of such '80s classics as Beverly Hills Cop and the criminally underrated Midnight Run, he scored a small acting role as a coroner in Fast Times At Ridgemont High by director Amy Heckerling.

Orson Welles - The Muppet Movie

Mel Brooks has a fairly substantial role in The Muppet Movie, but he's not the only director to appear in the movie. Hollywood legend Orson Welles also appears in the movie. Welles was a huge fan of Jim Henson and the Muppets and worked with them on more than one occassion as well.

When Scream premiered in 1996, its now-iconic opening scene, featuring Drew Barrymore as Casey Becker, sent shockwaves through audiences. The scene immediately set the film apart from other scary movies of the time, and it helped launch it into the stratosphere of the best horror movies ever. However, according to OG Scream cast member Skeet Ulrich, the chilling sequence almost ended production before the film could truly get started.

The Scream legacy star revealed during a panel at MegaCon 2025 (via People) that after the late great director Wes Craven and his team shot Barrymore’s harrowing first scene, Miramax executives panicked and nearly pulled the plug on the entire project. Ulrich recounted:

For those unfamiliar, Scream opens with Barrymore’s character answering a mysterious phone call that quickly turns sinister. The scene, which plays out like a mini horror film within the larger story, subverts expectations by killing off what seemed to be the film’s lead actress in the first 15 minutes.

While today it's considered one of the greatest horror openings of all time, Miramax executives reportedly didn’t understand the film’s tone and structure at first—and it almost cost Scream its future.

According to the Billy actor, it took some quick thinking from Craven and two of the film’s producers to convince the studio to continue. One of the faces behind the Ghost Face killer masks continued:

The Craft actor also revealed that the production was only about two weeks into filming when the uncertainty hit. That meant the entire cast—many of whom were relatively unknown at the time—had no idea if the movie they were making would ever see the light of day.

Despite the early hesitation from the studio, Scream went on to become a genre-defining hit, reviving the slasher film and becoming one of the best horror movies of the '90s and launching one of the greatest horror franchises that is still alive nearly three decades later. The film’s blend of self-aware humor, genuine scares, and brutal kills became its trademark, inspiring six sequels, with the upcoming Scream 7.

Looking back, Ulrich admitted that he and his castmates had no clue they were making something that would resonate for generations. He added:

Now, nearly 30 years later, Scream is still extremely popular, with new installments keeping the Ghostface legacy alive.

And to think—it all could have ended before the first knife was even raised. Those suits didn’t know what they had, good thing they didn’t stop it before it made horror movie history.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched the original Scream. I mean, come on—it’s one of the great horror movies! Just when I think I’ve caught every hidden detail, dissected every Easter egg and debated all the Stu Macher fan theories, someone manages to prove me wrong. Recently, an eagle-eyed fan uncovered a clever Ghostface detail in what I consider one of the best horror movies of the '90s, and honestly? I’m shook.

Recently, one superfan of the iconic slasher movie series shared a detail on Reddit that sheds new light on a specific moment involving the masked killer and Billy Loomis, and I can't believe I never noticed it before. The revelation focuses on the moment when one of the first set of Ghostface killers, played by Skeet Ulrich, is “attacked” by his accomplice in what turns out to be an elaborate ploy to trick Sidney Prescott and the audience. The fan explained:

For those less familiar, the reference to “corn syrup” is a nod to Scream's final act, where Billy reveals that he used a popular filmmaking recipe for fake blood to stage their attack, and it was, in fact, corn syrup—“the same stuff they use for pig’s blood in Carrie,” as he says. This seemingly small moment foreshadows the theatricality of the killers’ plan and subtly reveals just how far they’re willing to go to sell their twisted narrative.

What’s incredibly fascinating about this detail is how it plays into the larger meta-nature of the movie. Fans have long lauded Wes Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson for their ability to layer in small, self-aware nods to the horror and filmmaking genres. Whether or not the clean-knife-to-corn-syrup transition was intentional or just a lucky editing quirk, it certainly feels like something Craven would’ve done deliberately to reward eagle-eyed viewers.

This kind of attention to detail is a hallmark of the best entries in the Scream franchise, which is why it continues to captivate audiences all these years later. Moments like this are also what make revisiting the movie so rewarding. As you watch and rewatch, you start to notice all the small choices—both visual and narrative—that contribute to its brilliance.

This kind of attention to detail is a hallmark of the best entries in the Scream franchise, which is why it continues to captivate audiences all these years later. Moments like this are also what make revisiting the movie so rewarding. As you watch and rewatch, you start to notice all the small choices—both visual and narrative—that contribute to its brilliance.

What makes the Redditor’s observation even more exciting is how it underlines the intelligence and care that went into crafting Scream’s story. Ghostface’s clean knife, paired with the careful application of corn syrup, isn’t just a throwaway moment—it shows just how meticulous the killers’ schemes generally are in every installment and a cheeky nod to the mechanics of movie-making itself.

Whether this little “clean knife” detail was intentional or an editing coincidence, it has sparked a lively conversation among fans, with some praising what they believe to be Wes Craven’s meticulous storytelling and others speculating on the filmmaking process behind the scenes. One thing is clear, though: Scream is the gift that keeps on giving to horror buffs. I think it's time to cue up the flick and give it another watch, which will be easy because it's available to stream with a Max subscription.

The franchise continues to boom, turning out quality sequels. The next entry, Scream 7, is coming together and is set to hit theaters in early 2026. Until then, check out our 2025 movie schedule to see what upcoming horror movies are set for the new year!

Modern horror wouldn’t be what it is today without Wes Craven. He has made some of the best slasher horror movies of all time, and that helped push the boundaries of the genre. Little did I know, the director from Cleveland, Ohio, created quite a network of stars across these iconic films. For example, Freddy Krueger actor Robert Englund used to babysit Drew Barrymore, who would go on to play Scream’s doomed Casey Becker, and the story the A Nightmare on Elm Street actor told us about this is incredible.

Two of the stars of the 1984 classic, Heather Langenkamp and Robert Englund, appeared on CinemaBlend’s podcast, ReelBlend, to talk about everything Craven-related -- from how he was as a director, theories, sequels, and even other Craven hits, like Scream. During the conversation, Englund recounted witnessing a meeting between Craven and Barrymore while out to dinner.

The Urban Legend alum didn’t know it then, but he seemingly was part of the Scream franchises' beginnings as he went up to say high to the director and the actress he used to babysit:

So, do we have Englund to thank for one of the best first kills in a horror movie? It's not confirmed, but it seems like he might have played a small role in getting Barrymore cast in Scream.

Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, which brought a lot of excitement, dread and pretty gruesome murders to our screens, has remained a staple in the genre for decades. Then Scream did the same thing, as it added a new meta and funny level to the world of horror. So, the fact that two of the franchises' stars are so connected through something like babysitting is pretty mind-blowing.

Plus, this story is made even better by the fact that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the first movie in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Over the years, there have been a lot of sequels, off-kilter Nightmare on Elm Street remakes, and even some Freddy Kruger wardrobe secrets revealed that could have changed everything, as shared by the Freddy vs Jason star himself. So it's fun to throw it back to the days when these movies were made and learn more about how Craven's iconic projects are connected.

People have continually celebrated Wes Craven’s work and shared favorite scenes, trivia, and a whole lot more about his movies over the years. Even Barrymore has shared some behind-the-scenes footage from Scream. Now that I've learned about her connection to Nightmare on Elm Street's star, we might need to thank Robert Englund for her involvement.

When it comes to the best horror movies we’ve ever seen, 1996’s Scream has gone down in history as one of the most clever versions of a slasher. Coming off the wild success of the original movie, director Wes Craven and the main cast reunited for Scream 2 in 1997. However, when David Arquette looks back on the sequel, he has one memory that might be scarier than Ghostface.

Sure, those Scream kills are terrifying, but what about getting a harsh note from your director, the legendary Wes Craven? When David Arquette guested on the podcast Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe, he recalled getting a brutally honest note on the set of the 1997 movie. As he said:

During the interview, David Arquette immediately went into said monologue like he had rehearsed it yesterday. As it turns out, the scene he was talking about included a famous line of Dewey’s which fans of the franchise like to quote. Here’s the line:

Hey, it’s a lot of long words to say in one go! I imagine many actors would have received the same note from Wes Craven given the dialogue.

As fans, we typically don’t think twice about the work that goes on behind the scenes to make some of the best lines work. Arquette’s memory is more about some of the technical elements and showing up imperfectly on set. Of course notes (in any job) can often help make us better at what we do. However, at the time, the actor felt super embarrassed about having to shoot the scene again because he was “so bad.”

The Scream movies were not only a big deal for David Arquette in terms of his career, but they also changed his life. It was on set of the first film that he met Courteney Cox, who he would go on to marry and have his first child with, Coco. As the actor has shared before, it was Wes Craven who actually suggested he date Cox. Over the years, Arquette and Cox have starred in almost all the Scream movies, but Dewey did die in the fifth one.

Suffice it to say, that means that Arquette will not be part of the seventh Scream movie, which will star Neve Campbell. Scream 7 is reportedly going to start filming this December. While we wait for its release date, check out what other upcoming horror movies are on the way.

Jordan Peele has a solid track record thus far regarding horror, so if there's word he's circling a remake of a film made by one of the Masters Of Horror, people listen up. Not only that, but Peele is looking to do a remake of one of the most underrated Wes Craven horror films in his catalog, and I'm sold on the vision he may have for The People Under The Stairs. 

The news right now is that Doom Patrol writer Ezra Claytan Daniels has signed on to pen the remake of The People Under The Stairs. Deadline reported Monkey Paw Productions will produce the film, and Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld will be the producers. There aren't many details beyond that, as the project is still in early development. 

The original movie was written and directed by Wes Craven, and followed Poindexter "Fool" Williams as he tried to rob his greedy landlords to pay for his mother's cancer treatments. Once inside the house, he's shocked to find the landlords are hiding several pale children who have been confined for a long time and resorted to cannibalism to stay alive. CinemaBlend's Rich Knight called it one of the best Black horror movies and noted it as an example against the trope of Black people dying in horror movies. 

Now might be the perfect time for a movie like The People Under The Stairs, especially with the main story revolving around a family that's fallen on hard times. With prices on the rise for goods, now might be the best time for the Wes Craven classic to find new life and an audience to resonate with in a way that perhaps it didn't as much in the '90s.

It shouldn't take much looking into the body of horror work that Jordan Peele has contributed to as a writer, producer and director over the last handful of years to explain why he's a great person to attach to this. Rewatching any of Peele's scarier movies has me confident he's the right person to be involved in this project. The amount of brilliant details he put in Us should be enough to give him whatever film he wants when it comes to horror.

It's also worth noting that The People Under The Stairs wasn't just celebrated as a horror movie either. The movie was meant to serve as a political statement that showcased an impoverished youth in opposition against a privileged and uncaring family. It definitely sounds like a movie that will find an audience in the 2020s, maybe even more than it found back in the early '90s. I'll be eager to follow its development and see what other actors are attached to the project as it develops.

Those with a Netflix subscription can watch a good deal of Jordan Peele's best horror stories to date while we wait for more details on The People Under The Stairs. This is a project that I'm very excited for, so I hope it won't take too long before we hear more news about it. 

When it comes to the pantheon great horror movies and their iconic antagonists,  the claw-wielding dream demon from the A Nightmare on Elm Street series, Freddy Krueger, stands out for his unique blend of terror and twisted humor. While Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees remain stoic and silent as they dispatch their victims, Freddy is known for his quips and darkly comedic antics — and a penchant for calling people "bitch" — brought to life by stellar performances from Robert Englund. However, according to a recent exclusive interview with the actor behind one of the most iconic horror movie villains, the franchise creator Wes Craven wasn't always on board with the child killer’s increasingly humorous persona.

In a conversation with Looper, Englund delved into the evolution of Freddy's character over the years, revealing some surprising insights. He noted that Craven, who passed away in 2015, initially envisioned a far subtler sense of humor for Freddy, and wasn't prepared for the more cartoonish turns the character would take in later sequels. Englund said:

This revelation sheds light on the delicate balance between horror and humor in the early movies of the franchise. The tongue-through-the-phone gag is an undeniable treat, and is a sign of the kind of super-dark amusement Wes had in mind for Freddy. It wasn't until 1988's A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, directed by Renny Harlin, that the franchise fully embraced its humorous side while maintaining the scares. (The roach motel scene: nuff said.) Harlin's vision for Krueger was audacious, aiming to transform him into the James Bond of horror, a move that made both Wes Craven and Bob Shaye, the founder of New Line Cinema, quite apprehensive.

Harlin explained in an interview with Slash Film that Freddy needed to be larger than life, a charismatic anti-hero despite his villainous nature. The filmmaker had this to say: 

Surprisingly, despite initial concerns about injecting humor into Freddy's character, The Dream Master was a hit with fans. It debuted at number one during its opening weekend, amassing $12,883,403 in earnings. Holding its top spot the following weekend, according to Box-Office Mojo, the film eventually grossed $49,369,899 at the U.S. box office, securing the 19th spot among 1988's highest-grossing films. It reigned as the highest-grossing Nightmare on Elm Street film until one of the best movie crossovers, Freddy vs. Jason, was released in 2003. Thanks to this success, Freddy Krueger remained solidified as one of the most flamboyant and unforgettable slashers in cinematic history, even if it didn't sit well with the entirety of the horror fandom.

This triumph not only reinforced Freddy's darkly comedic persona as integral to his lasting appeal but, for better or worse, paved the way for even zanier antics in subsequent films such as Freddy's Dead, approaching a level of cartoony camp that would make Bugs Bunny blush. 

The fusion of horror and humor in the A Nightmare on Elm Street series struck a chord with audiences, making it one of the most successful of the 80s slashers. Freddy's unique blend of dark comedy was as vital to his enduring legacy as was his most gruesome kills. While Wes Craven's initial reservations eventually gave way to reluctant acceptance, Freddy's humorous edge undeniably contributed to the franchise's enduring popularity, solidifying its status as a fan-favorite for generations of horror hounds.

The future of the franchise is currently up in the air. There are ongoing discussions about the possibility of another remake or reboot, similar to the highly anticipated Friday the 13th television revival, which will be available for streaming with a Peacock subscription. Additionally, there have been talks about a new direction, reminiscent of the 2018 Halloween and the upcoming Exorcists sequels. Personally, I believe it's high time for Freddy Krueger to have a shot at a comedic comeback, even if Englund has claimed he's hung up his hat for good. 

Make sure to check out Cinemablend’s schedule of upcoming horror movies to see what scares are hitting the 2023 movie release schedule. 

Loads of spoilers below for Scream VI, so tread very lightly if you haven’t yet watched Ghostface’s latest reign of terror!

The Scream franchise has always served as a reflective microcosm of the entire horror genre, with iconic director Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson initially honing in on slasher flicks. Scream VI filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett continued expanding on that concept in the most meta ways possible, opening up a Pandora’s Box of far-reaching horror references and easter eggs, all while confidently weaving through Ghostface’s own Stab-tethered history to build out their latest gore-soaked whodunnit. This is not a movie to look away from for even the slightest second. 

To name every single outside reference within Scream VI would take many more viewings (which would boost its franchise-topping weekend box office), and likely a ton of insight from everyone involved behind the scenes. So for now, we’ll have to settle with the selection of favorites laid out below while waiting on that next trip to the theater. 

References Galore Part 1: Wes Craven

Considering 2022's Scream featured a full-on "For Wes" celebration scene, it stood to reason that the directors would find new ways to honor Wes Craven’s cinematic history in their latest feature. And boy howdy, were there a lot of nods, with most popping up at the subway station and within the trains. Obviously A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Freddy Krueger was on display, but keen-eyed fanatics likely also caught costumes based on Craven’s other work, including Shocker, The Last House on the Left, Deadly Friend, The People Under the Stairs and even Eddie Murphy and Angela Bassett’s Vampire in Brooklyn characters made an appearance.

Inarguably the best Wes Craven winky-wink, though, is the name of the store that Samantha and Tara run into while being chased by Ghostface: Abe’s Snake Bodega. A suggestion that came from the singer of the band Ice Nine Kills, as explained by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin to Dread Central, Abe Snake refers to the one-off pseudonym that Craven used when he co-wrote, directed and produced the X-rated 1975 film The Fireworks Woman, which was crafted between Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes. He also had a role in the porn flick as an otherworldly entity, but went uncredited for it.

The Addams Family Figures And Costumes

Before anyone involved with Scream VI could possibly know Jenna Ortega's Wednesday would go on to become one of Netflix's most successful original series, the crew slipped a pair of callbacks to the creepiest, kookiest clan around, the Addams Family. Not only was one of the frat party attendees dressed up as Wednesday, but Tara's psychologist Dr. Stone (Henry Czerny) had a collection of Addams Family figurines on a table in his office. 

Invasion Of The Body Snatchers Footage

Speaking of Tara’s doc, he was busy watching the 1956 original Invasion of the Body Snatchers when Ghostface rudely interrupted with a knife to the face. This was a particularly fun and on-the-nose reference, as it was the scene in which Kevin McCarthy’s Dr. Miles Bennell is screaming “You’re next!” at the drivers whizzing by. Additional horror connection: the scene is also featured in Joe Dante’s Gremlins, while the 2011 film You’re Next was directed and written by Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett, respectively, who both worked on V/H/S, which also boasted Scream VI’s directors as part of its creative collective. That last part is probably an incidental callback, but still worth bringing up.

Psycho 2 Praise

Anyone who celebrated the sight of the Psycho poster inside Samantha and Tara’s apartment was in for a bigger treat later in the film, as Mindy and Kirby’s horror movie convo taps into the idea that Richard Franklin’s surprise sequel Psycho II is a pretty damned great and underappreciated franchise offering. Norman Bates’ motherly obsessions clearly don’t have direct ties to Scream VI’s vengeful daddy twist, but I imagine Detective Bailey had some Bates-adjacent issues as a strapping young lad.

Appreciation For Friday The 13th Beyond The First Movie

Mindy and Kirby’s chat delivered another applause-worthy moment when the topic of Friday the 13th favorites was broached. Kirby noted the original, which is itself almost a nod to the question that got Drew Barrymore’s character killed in the first Scream’s cold open. But Mindy shared that she liked Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter the best for its Corey Feldman-ness, which is a barely-ever-expressed opinion in the world at large, much less within scripted worlds where the first two Friday films are the only ones to ever draw praise. Which isn’t to say I agree with Mindy on that front, but I love some variety, so I also applaud the use of Jason Takes Manhattan footage popping up early on as a fun welcome to New York City. (Not to mention the Jason costume on the subway train, and the early nods to Friday in one of the trailers.)

Twin Peaks Font

Richie’s fan movies, which played on the Ghostface shrine’s sheeted screen during the final sequence, wrapped with credits that used the same two-toned font as David Lynch’s Twin Peaks logo. He also used Scream and Stab’s signature needle drop, Nick Cave’s “Red Right Hand,” as the accompanying tune, further proving Richie didn’t have a bone of originality in his body.

Flowery Midsommar Nods

Ari Aster's heady psychological horrors are on largely different wavelengths than the Scream films, but that didn't stop the directors from paying homage to the hyper-disturbing 2019 folk horror Midsommar. Not only was someone wearing a modified version of the flower dress worn by Florence Pugh's Dani, but the first time Jack Quaid's Richie appears via online picture, a similarly colorful flower crown was drawn around his head.

References Galore Part 2: Stephen King

Even though Stephen King doesn’t intrinsically have anything to do with the Scream-verse, it would be genre blasphemy to bring out this many visual easter eggs without at least a handful paying respect to the King of Horror and the plethora of adaptations he’s inspired. Viewers can see costumes paying homage to Carrie’s titular blood-covered teen, IT’s Pennywise and Georgie, The Shining’s Grady twins (which were exclusive to Stanley Kubrick’s film), and Children of the Corn characters. I believe The Black Phone’s Grabber mask also popped up at one point, with that film being adapted from the story by Joe Hill, King’s like-minded son. 

A Nope Callback Just Eight Months After Its Release

Hollywood isn’t always great with timing and references, but in wisely paying homage to modern-day horror mastermind Jordan Peele, Scream VI managed to feature a character dressed as Keke Palmer’s character Em from Nope, despite releasing just eight months after the sci-fi thriller hit theaters. To be sure, the costume designers also deserve props for the characters donned in Us jumpsuits.

The Directors' Own V/H/S Short

For anyone who wondered why Jenna Ortega was dressed up as a pirate during Scream VI's frat party, that was one-third of a reference to Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin's aforementioned work on the found-footage anthology V/H/S. Their segment, titled "10/31/98," featured a foursome of friends who made a fatal mistake in seeking out a costume party, instead stumbling upon a cultish ritual. In the segment, the camera-holding Gillett was dressed in a teddy bear costume (which can also be seen at the frat party), while Bettinelli-Olpin was in pirate garb. EP Chad Villella appeared as the Unabomber in V/H/S, which was also meant to be represented in Scream VI, but that plan fell through. 

Murder Party Costume

Arugably the least intuitive easter egg in Scream VI was delivered by Jack Champion's Ethan, who went to the frat party dressed as Chris Sharp's put-upon protagonist in the 2007 horror comedy Murder Party. That enjoyable (if not entirely wonderful) micro-budget feature was written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier, who went on to deliver the inarguably great and hard-hitting Blue Ruin and Green Room. 

Criminally Rare In The Mouth Of Madness Sighting!

One of John Carpenter's least celebrated genre works, In the Mouth of Madness has earned a cult following in the years since its under-appreciated arrival in 1994, but still remains one of his least referenced flicks compared to such influential flicks as They Live, Escape from New York and The Thing (among others). So I think I can speak for Sutter Kane when showing appreciation for whoever chose to dress someone on the train up like Sam Neill's John Trent during the point when he's in the asylum and has drawn crosses all over himself. 

While not a reference to movies or franchises, per se, Scream VI also gets props for giving a spotlight to the wide world of horror podcasts. The core apartment's living room features a big poster for The Last Podcast on the Left, which not only references Wes Craven's first horror flick in its title, but is also likely the horror/true crime podcast with the most brand awareness at this point, boasting various multimedia tie-ins. (One can only assume that the guys would have tackled the Woodsboro case at some point.) As well, one of the characters' bedrooms has a poster for the podcast We Hate Movies, which also isn't strictly about horror, but has covered a wide variety of genre efforts over the years, from The Prophecy to Halloween Ends.

Again, this wasn't a fully exhaustive and comprehensive list of all the references that popped up in Scream VI, but rather just the ones that I personally enjoyed the most. Not that I didn't also love seeing Pinhead, Chucky and Tiffany, the Babadook and more being represented. Now how long do we have to wait to see how all of this gets topped in Scream VII?

The horror genre is a tried and true one in the film world, which has been experiencing a renaissance for years now. One of the most beloved franchises within the genre is definitely Wes Craven’s Scream, which revitalized slashers when the 1996 original hit theaters. We’re just a few days away from the release of Scream VI, which features Hayden Panettiere’s long-awaited return from Scream 4. And the Heroes alum has praised fans who “came to my rescue” with campaigns for her character Kirby Reed.

Hayden Panettiere’s Kirby Reed was a fan favorite character when she debuted in Scream 4, and she got some really iconic sequences throughout its runtime. In the years since its release, fans debated if she might still be alive, and campaigned for Kirby’s  return. As you can see in the video above, I had the privilege of speaking with the cast of Scream VI ahead of its release, where I asked Panettiere what it’s been like seeing fans give her so much love. She responded honestly, saying it was:

How sweet is that? While Scream fans obviously love Hayden Panettiere and her character, it sounds like the feeling is actually mutual. Because she’s seen all the support online, and it seemingly meant a great deal to the 33 year-old actress. Sometimes scary movies really can bring people together!

Hayden Panettiere’s comments about feeling rescued and buoyed by the Scream fandom might make a great deal of sense for those who have been paying attention to her personal story. She recently revealed a struggle with depression and substance issues, bravely showing her scars to the public in the process. Additionally, her brother Jansen recently passed away suddenly. I have a ton of respect for her for doing the grueling press tour for Scream VI during this trying time. 

Later in our same conversation, I asked Hayden Panettiere what her process was like finding Kirby again. After all, she’s got a specific swagger and sense of humor that fans adored in Scream 4. She further explained the strong emotions that come with her character, saying:

As one of the fans who had long-hoped for Kirby’s return to the Scream and was never convinced that she actually died in the fourth movie, it’s such a joy to see her back for Scream VI. And given Hayden Panettiere’s feelings, the moment seems all the more significant. Horror fans are just built differently.

Scream VI will hit theaters on March 10th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The original Scream trilogy successfully inspired a brand new wave of slasher films at the tail end of the 20th century, but things slowed down quickly in the aftermath of Scream 3, and the franchise went into hibernation for nearly a full decade. The horror genre, of course, continued to evolve without its presence… but while doing so, it incidentally inspired fresh commentary that got screenwriter Kevin Williamson’s creative gears spinning again, and the result was The Weinstein Company giving the green light to Scream 4.

According to Williamson, there wasn’t any kind of ramp-up or request for development of the sequel; he was simply struck one day with an idea that excited him. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly in 2011, the filmmaker explained,

In an ideal world, Kevin Williamson would have been given all the time in the world to develop his script for Scream 4 and create a fully-formed vision much like his screenplay for the original Scream – but Hollywood is far from an ideal world. Instead, the studio’s urgency to get the film into production created conflict, and circumstances emerged that was very familiar to those who know the behind-the-scenes stories of Scream 2 and Scream 3: Williamson knew what he wanted to do with the sequel, but at the time he was being pulled in multiple directions that prevented him from fully committing himself to the project.

In the midst of principal photography on Scream 4, the screenwriter was working on a television series, The Vampire Diaries, and that job ended up creating a clash between him and producer Bob Weinstein. Prior to the 2011 film’s release, Williamson told EW,

Much to the concern of fans, Scream 3 writer Ehren Kruger was hired by the production to do additional work on the script, and additional issues cropped up during filming as stars Lake Bell and Lauren Graham exited the movie due to what were reported to be scheduling conflicts and script changes. Despite the important presences of series veterans Wes Craven, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, concern was abound.

The attempt to fully rejuvenate the franchise didn’t work, as Scream 4 performed far below expectations for a series that had previously been a box office juggernaut. But its story has been rewritten over time, with fans now fully embracing the movie and seeing it as a key part of Scream’s History And Legacy.

Why Scream 4 Is The Second Best Movie The Scream Franchise

I liked Scream 4 when it first came out. Twelve years later, I now love Scream 4.

What makes the movie superior to every other sequel in the franchise is the way in which it manages to not only make important, out-loud observations about the state of horror at the time, but layer them into the narrative as well. Scream 4 directly points to a key lacking in originality that existed in the genre through the aughts, playing with the different tropes of remakes, and those elements brilliantly create expectations that are then inversed by the amazing twists in the third act.

Through the majority of its runtime, the film operates like it is trying to be a reboot for a new generation. While the key legacy characters return, you get the sense that the story is working to establish a new start for Scream, albeit in the same canon. Jill Roberts (Emma Roberts) seems to be lined up as the new Sidney Prescott; Charlie Walker (Rory Culkin) appears to be the new Randy Meeks; Trevor Sheldon (Nico Tortorella) has the vibe of a new Billy Loomis; Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) has the energy of a new Tatum Riley; and Judy Hicks (Marley Shelton) registers as the new Deputy Dewey. Even as the structure of the original is given a shuffle, with the Stab-a-Thon party in the second act instead of being the grand finale, the movie still seems to be holding up a mirror… but then everything blows up in the best way possible as all of the young characters gather together for the after party at Kirby’s house.

The twist that the Sidney and Randy analogues are the killers behind the Ghostface mask is my favorite in the Scream franchise to date – both because you never see it coming and because of how beautifully it works on a meta level. As things turn out, Jill doesn’t just seem like she’s being set up to be the new Sidney; it’s actually the motive behind the murder spree that she orchestrates. The script is perfectly tuned into our celebrity-obsessed culture, and it adds an amazing level of surprise verisimilitude to the character’s behavior.

Prior to 2022, my biggest gripes with Scream 4 were that A) all of the legacy characters survive, and B) that it didn’t go for the ultra-dark ending where Jill is victorious in her scheme. I would still have those complaints if the movie continued to exist as the final film in the franchise, but everything is now different thanks to Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s Scream. Now fans can appreciate the doors that the 2011 sequel keeps open instead of wondering why they weren’t closed and love it as the stellar middle chapter for the franchise that it is. To paraphrase Sidney, it doesn’t fuck with the original, and instead builds on its legacy in fascinating fashion – arguably better than any other chapter in the series so far.

How Scream 4 Fits Into The History Of Horror

Where Scream 4 fits into the history of horror can really be fully summed up in this amazing exchange from the film:

Ghostface: Alright, Kirby, then it's time for your last-chance question. Name the remake of the groundbreaking horror movie in which the villain...
Kirby Reed: Halloween! Texas Chainsaw! Dawn of the Dead! The Hills Have Eyes! Amityville Horror! Last House on the Left! Friday the 13th! A Nightmare On Elm Street! My Bloody Valentine! When A Stranger Calls! Prom Night! Black Christmas! House of Wax! The Fog! Piranha! It's one of those, right? Right!?

That’s 15 studio-produced remakes that all came out in the decade between the release of Scream 3 and the production of Scream 4. While they aren’t all bad movies, the trend in horror of the era was not about creating fresh ideas, but cashing in on the familiarity of classics. Kevin Williamson recognized this trend, and found a way to manipulate it to advance the franchise he created with his work on the third sequel. In its DNA, the 2011 movie is part sequel, but it’s melded with meta commentary that transforms it into something new.

Of course, Hollywood wasn’t solely producing remakes; that trend was paired with a couple others: so-called “Torture Porn,” executed by franchises such as Saw and Hostel, and found footage, which was popularized by the blockbuster success of Paranormal Activity. The former, while referenced in Scream 4, wasn’t much of an influence on the Wes Craven film, but the movie did find a way to incorporate the latter… albeit not to extreme degrees.

The idea of Ghostface recording and live-streaming their murders is an idea that seems to come straight out of that particular filmmaking school – with Jill and Charlie inviting an audience into their terror campaign with a first person perspective. Had Scream 5 been made immediately in the aftermath of Scream 4, it feels like the in-world Stab 8 could have potentially been made with the found footage aesthetic, but the fad didn’t remain relevant enough going into the 2020s to be a part of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s movie (2022’s Scream ultimately found its own special way to incorporate Stab 8 into its narrative with commentary about toxic fanhood).

How Scream 4 Sets Up Its Franchise’s Future

Despite its hinted inclinations, Scream 4 doesn’t actually reboot the Scream franchise and establish a brand new cast of characters to follow for the future, but that doesn’t mean that it is wholly lacking in big picture contributions. The film has certainly been embraced in the post-Wes Craven era as a key part of the canon, and two of the survivors have lived on in sequels: Judy Hicks and Kirby Reed.

In Scream 4, the Marley Shelton character initially seems like a prime Ghostface suspect given her high school history with Sidney Prescott, her crush on Dewey Riley, and her antagonistic relationship with Gale Weathers, but she instead proves to be a competent officer of the law by the end of the film – not only saving Gale from getting shot by Jill, but saving herself by wearing a bulletproof vest. A decade later, her competence earns her the job of becoming the new sheriff of Woodsboro… though that’s a story that concludes with tragedy.

At present, what’s going on with Kirby is a bit more up in the air, but she definitely is a holdover in the series following her ambiguous final scene in Scream 4 where she is stabbed by Charlie Walker but not actually shown dying. Per the commentary track for the movie, the death of the horror-loving best friend of Jill Roberts was specifically not confirmed so that she could potentially appear in future sequels, and now that potential is being realized. An Easter egg in 2022’s Scream specifically notes that Kirby is still alive (featured in a YouTube video titled “Interview With Woodsboro Survivor Kirby Reed”), and fans will see Hayden Panettiere back in Scream VI – though we don’t yet know what the full extent of her role will be.

Is Scream 4 A Good Horror Movie In General?

This should go without saying: if it’s a great Scream movie, it’s a great horror movie.

Like all of the best examples of the genre, Scream 4 is built on the two pillars of excellent character development and seriously scary thrills. In addition to making us continue to care about all of the great legacy protagonists, the new batch of protagonists and antagonists are charismatic, smart, funny, and engaging, and they drive the mystery of who is behind the mask – which is full of red herrings, false leads, and clever twists.

Appreciating these characters means caring when they are being stalked and killed, and Wes Craven, with his final film, delivers bloody goodness, with the top highlights being the slaughter of Olivia Morris (Marielle Jaffe), the slayings of Deputy Hoss (Adam Brody) and Deputy Perkins (Anthony Anderson), and the horrifying fall of Rebecca Walters (Alison Brie).

How To Watch Scream 4

When it comes to streaming Scream 4, the film is kind of an odd duck. All of the other movies in the franchise – including Scream, Scream 2, Scream 3, and 2022’s Scream – are available to watch with a Paramount+ subscription, but watching the 2011 installment of the series via subscription service requires signing up for Netflix. That being said, there are other screening options as well. The excellent sequel can be digitally rented/purchased from all major online outlets, including Amazing Prime, Google Play, Apple, and Vudu, and physical media collectors can pick up a copy of it on Blu-ray.

As we continue to get closer and closer to the theatrical debut of Scream VI on March 10, next week’s column will be changing things up a bit. I’ll be doing a deep dive into the three seasons of Scream: The TV Series, which aired on MTV when the big screen franchise appeared to be dead. Look out for the feature next Thursday in the CinemaBlend Television section.

When Wes Craven’s Scream first arrived in theaters on December 20, it didn’t become an instant hit, opening in fourth place and making $6.4 million – but it proved to be something special in its second weekend. The arrival of the John Travolta film Michael pushed it down in the rankings to fifth place, but ticket sales actually went up, the buzzy horror film bringing in $9.1 million in its second Friday-to-Sunday, and then it managed to do even better than that in its third weekend (the first of the year 1997). Dimension Films was quickly aware that something exceptional was going on, and the original theatrical run lasted until Memorial Day weekend.

The success created an irony. In the 1980s and early 1990s, the horror genre was nearly killed by studios releasing endless sequels in slasher franchises, and Scream helped revive the form with its fresh, original, post-modern attitude… and yet, the film’s extreme popularity also demanded that a follow-up be made.

Dimension almost immediately gave a green light to Wes Craven to make Scream 2, and fortunately screenwriter Kevin Williamson was ready for the possibility. As explained by producer Bob Weinstein in the documentary Scream: The Inside Story, the original script included a five-page treatment for a sequel, and it outlined much of the film as we know it – with Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) heading off to college and finding themselves at the center of another round of Ghostface killings amidst the release of Stab, a movie about the Woodsboro murders based on a book by Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers.

That work put the filmmakers on solid footing as plans were made to release Scream 2 within the year, but complications diminished that advantage. For starters, the internet was voracious in hunting for information about the follow-up, and part of that hunger was not caring if what was learned ruined the movie. Leaks were a problem right from the very beginning, as Wes Craven explains in the documentary Still Screaming: The Ultimate Scary Movie Retrospective:

Measures were eventually taken to stop the leaks, including fake scripts. In a 2017 interview with Dread Central, Kevin Williamson explained that there were “dummy drafts” created to throw obsessive internet geeks off track – including one that had Elise Neal's Hallie McDaniel and Jerry O'Connell's Derek Feldman as the killers. David Arquette’s Dewey Riley was the man behind the mask in another.

The other big issue was the fact that 1997 was the year that Kevin Williamson was creating and shooting a brand new television series: Dawson’s Creek. Productions overlapped, and that meant that the script for Scream 2 was still being written when principal photography began.

Many, many bad movies have origin stories like this – but most movies don’t have brilliant minds like Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson making the important creative decisions. Released on December 10, 1997, Scream 2 was the opposite of a disaster, earning critical acclaim and just about matching its phenomenally successful predecessor at the box office. The arrival of Hollywood’s biggest new horror franchise was affirmed, further establishing Scream’s History And Legacy.

Why Scream 2 Is The Third Best Movie The Scream Franchise

It goes without saying that the barrage of slasher sequels in the 1980s and early 1990s wouldn’t have nearly killed the horror genre if they were actually good on the whole. There are obviously exceptions – with Child’s Play 2 and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors being titles that immediately spring to mind as quality films of the era and ilk – but those bright spots were drowned out in a sea of low budget productions that drove interesting original concepts into the ground.

Had things gone in a bad direction with Scream 2, we would be talking about the franchise in a very different way today, but Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson instead proved there was tremendous viability in the meta horror approach. In less than a year, they delivered a sequel that wonderfully built on the previous story, and, 25 years after its release, stands as the third best feature in the series. It has flaws, but also solidifies everything that makes the Scream movies great.

This is true right out the gate with the brilliant opening sequence at the Stab premiere. Matching the magic that is the opening sequence with Drew Barrymore in the first film was always going to be an impossible task, but the movie-within-a-movie is a special kind of brilliant, and the deaths of both Maureen Evans (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Phil Stevens (Omar Epps) are horrific and memorable. Scream 2 is the third best Scream movie, but it has the second best opening.

It’s lamented that more isn’t done with the idea of homage/copycat crimes. It’s fun that the names of the first three victims in the movie cleverly line up with the names of the first three victims in the Woodsboro killings, but it’s disappointing that the idea isn’t explored any further once the pattern is pointed to (for example, there’s no effort to protect potential victims named “Arthur” linked to Henry Winkler’s Principal Himbry). It comes across as not so much a red herring as an undercooked idea, particularly in light of the film’s terrific third act revelations.

The surprise that Debbie Salt (Laurie Metcalf) is actually Billy Loomis’ mother is an outstanding twist that is impossible to see coming (an effective homage to the original Friday The 13th), and while the integration of Mickey (Timothy Olyphant) in the plotting could be stronger, the movie makes up for that lacking with the exposition about his motives and plan. Mrs. Loomis finding her accomplice online is a fun shot taken at the internet – a standout villain for the Scream 2 production – and his planned legal strategy to “blame the movies” is a perfect and sinister inverse of one of Billy Loomis’ most iconic lines: “Movies don't create psychos; movies make psychos more creative!”

All of the returning characters are given vital and exciting roles that are impeccable extensions of where things are left at the end of the first movie (Sidney’s paranoia about her relationship with Derek, for example is perfectly played right up to his murder), and the presence of fame hungry fly-in-the-ointment Cotton Weary (Liev Schreiber) is genius following his 10-second part in Scream. He’s the best antagonist in the franchise who never wears a Ghostface mask.

So if Scream 2 is the third best Scream movie, what is the second best? You’ll have to keep reading this column in the coming weeks to find out.

How Scream 2 Fits Into The History Of Horror

Thanks to Scream, the late 1990s saw a revival of the slasher subgenre. Studios were quick to try and capitalize on the fresh hunger that had been exposed, and as a result the late 1990s saw films like Urban Legend and I Know What You Did Last Summer (written by Kevin Williamson, based on the book of the same name) quickly moved into production. Those movies were successful, but didn’t get anywhere near hitting the highs of Scream or Scream 2 – which, like its predecessor, offers smart, self-reflexive commentary about the state of genre filmmaking at the time.

The Scream franchise is primarily regarded as distinct for the way in which it deconstructs some of the worst instincts of horror storytelling, but never to be ignored or forgotten are the ways in which it is also a celebration – and Scream 2 particularly leans into that latter direction. As explicitly explained by meta master Randy Meeks in the movie, it’s tradition for sequels to raise the bar and go bigger and bolder in content, and that’s a “rule” that the film embraces instead of subverting it. On the promise of more blood and bodies, it delivers.

In fact, Scream 2 is actually even more extreme than the filmmakers really intended it to be. In the Still Screaming documentary, editor Patrick Lussier explains that he and Wes Craven attempted to trick the MPAA by submitting an extra violent cut that would make the “real” cut seem more tolerable, and the response it got was completely unexpected:

“Responsible” perhaps wasn’t exactly what the filmmakers were aiming for – but the sight of Maureen Evans bleeding and dying in front of the crowd at the Stab screening is certainly an unforgettable cinematic moment of movie violence being contrasted with “real” violence.

How Scream 2 Sets Up Its Franchise’s Future

Wes Craven’s Scream set a baseline for the attitude and approach that would define what the franchise would become, but Scream 2 is the movie that put into practice a forward trajectory that remains unique to the horror series. The original put a spotlight on the formula of the slasher subgenre, and the follow-up established the pattern of the movies being reflective of where they respectively stand within the series.

More controversially, Scream 2 also has a message to send to audiences about the safety of legacy characters in the canon. Once again we see Dewey Riley escape the scythe of the grim reaper (Craven further demonstrating his soft spot for the beloved deputy), but not so lucky is Randy Meeks. The horror geek’s death is one of the most memorable in the franchise – slaughtered by Mrs. Loomis after being taunted and yanked into a news van – but the call will forever be a point of contention among fans. Randy, with his movie-centric perspective, is a beloved component of what makes Scream great, but his death also massively raises the stakes in the franchise, as no legacy characters have felt totally safe in the sequels since then.

Narratively speaking, we haven’t seen subsequent Scream sequels to date do much to specifically draw from plot points in Scream 2, though Cotton Weary’s expanded role in the movie does set him up for his (brief) appearance in Scream 3.

Is Scream 2 A Good Horror Movie In General?

Even if you divorce Scream 2 from the grander Scream series and watch it as an independent release, it’s tremendous – and that’s a credit to the genius of Wes Craven. His style and approach allow us to emotionally connect with the main characters in a meaningful way (developing the excellent romantic tension between Gale and Dewey and understanding Sidney’s trauma and resilience), and he pairs that beautifully with sequences saturated in dread and terror.

Randy’s death, the murder of Cici (Sarah Michelle Gellar), the chase around the film department, the Agamemnon dress rehearsal, and the escape from the crashed cop car are all heart-stoppers that demonstrate why Craven is recognized as one of the true masters of his craft. Scream 2 may only be the third best Scream movie, but it also has its own special place in horror history.

How To Watch Scream 2

If you already have a Paramount+ subscription, you could be watching Scream 2 as soon as you finish reading this article – but even if you don’t, it will only take you a couple of clicks to start your viewing experience. The film is available for digital rental and purchase from all of the major online outlets, including Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, and Apple. If you’re a physical media collector, you should definitely pick up a copy of the 4K set.

This column will continue next week with a deep dive into Scream 3, which is arguably the most controversial chapter of this beloved franchise. Look for the feature on CinemaBlend next Thursday as we continue to count down to the release of Scream VI, which will be in theaters on March 10.

By the mid-1990s, screenwriter Kevin Williamson was in serious trouble. He had been living in Los Angeles for a few years trying to sell his scripts, but he was primarily interested in making horror films, and studios weren’t interested. According to an interview with Williamson in Inside Story: Scream, he was three months behind on his rent, and he couldn’t pay his bills or his car payment. He was, in his own words, desperate.

Needing money, he took on a housesitting gig, and one night in the dark and lonely home ultimately changed his life forever. Watching television, Williamson channel surfed to a news special about Danny Rolling: a man perhaps better known as the Gainesville Ripper. Rolling was a monstrous serial killer known for breaking into dormitories and sexually assaulting, murdering, and mutilating college students, and learning the details sufficiently freaked out the screenwriter. Seeking some sense of security, Williamson made a call to a friend, but they didn’t talk about puppies and rainbows; they talked about their favorite scary movies.

Kevin Williamson came away from the experience inspired. Channeling his love for his favorite film, John Carpenter’s Halloween, he went off to Palm Springs for some isolation and to focus on working. He locked himself in a room and let his mind pour out on the page, and we walked away with a new, original screenplay for a feature that he dubbed simply… Scary Movie.

That title wouldn’t stick (it was eventually changed to Scream late in production), but it was instantly clear to anyone who read the script that Williamson had created something special. While the genre was seen as being dead at the time, Scary Movie’s quality nonetheless inspired an intense bidding war that was ultimately won by Dimension Films – a new division of Miramax founded by Bob Weinstein. As things turned out, the interest and investment was wholly justified. Scream, with legendary director Wes Craven at the helm, ended up saving horror cinema.

With its smart and captivating post-modern perspective, Scream became a game-changer when it was released in December 1996. Critics didn’t get it at first, but audiences did, and they turned it into the industry’s first massive horror box office win in years. The genre wouldn’t be what it is today without it, and I’ll be taking a close look at its impact in this first installment of a new weekly column: Scream’s History And Legacy.

Why Scream Is The Best Movie In The Scream Franchise

In any film franchise, it’s hard to top the original. Simply put, the whole reason any franchise exists is because of the high quality of the movie that kick started it, and the seminal chapter is typically the high bar to which all of the later installments are eventually compared. Expectations are set, and hard to top. This isn’t true in every case – but it is true when it comes to Scream.

For reasons I’ll get into deeper in this column, Wes Craven’s Scream is a movie that was very much of its time – built specifically to reflect on what had become of the horror genre after the slasher and sequel happy 1980s – and yet, like a great piece of film criticism, it is timeless because of the sharpness and intelligence of its commentary, and it’s elite in the legacy of the series.

Like any mystery, Scream is a different experience on rewatch when you know the identity of the killers, but the way in which the movie is layered is better than what’s featured in any of the sequels thus far, particularly because of the observable ways in which clues and false leads are unfurled – from the black boots that come down in the bathroom stall when Sidney is at school, to the suggestions that perhaps David Arquette’s goofy Deputy Dewey Riley or Henry Winkler’s Principal Himbry could be the man behind the Ghostface mask.

While every sequel has tried, the opening sequence with the murder of Drew Barrymore’s Casey Becker will never be topped, nor we will ever be able to forget the introductions of the icons of the franchise – including Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott, Dewey Riley, Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers, Jamie Kennedy’s Randy Meeks. And while there have been some great killers in this franchise, there is no topping the duo of Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis and Matthew Lillard’s Stu Macher.

How Scream Fits Into The History Of Horror

In 1984, Wes Craven made an outsized impact on the film world with A Nightmare On Elm Street: a movie that introduced the terror of Robert Englund’s Freddy Kruger and put New Line Cinema on the map (the studio dubbed with the nickname “The House That Freddy Built.”) Twelve years later, Craven outdid that by saving the horror genre as a whole.

As alluded to, horror was in a dismal place at the start of the 1990s. While the 1980s was a boom time thanks to the dominance of the slasher subgenre, studios exploiting brands like Halloween, Friday The 13th, and A Nightmare On Elm Street with endless, quickly produced, and bad sequels had the effect of exhausting the audience. Scary movies became box office poison, and studios became reticent to invest in them. A shake-up was desperately needed, and that’s what Scream provided.

Not only was the film a wakeup call to the industry demanding for new creative energy in the field, the box office performance was a loud expression of support for change from audiences. It was an unconventional release coming out during the holiday season in 1996, and while it didn’t have an amazing opening weekend (taking fourth place and making $6.4 million), it shocked the cinema world by having a more successful second weekend (earning $9.1 million), and then an even more successful third weekend (bringing in another $10 million). By the time it left theaters around the Memorial Day holiday in May 1997, it made $103 million domestically, and was crowned the highest grossing horror movie of all time.

What also can’t be ignored is that Scream reinvigorated the spirit of a horror legend. When Dimension Films acquired the project, Wes Craven was considered the number one choice to take the helm… but he turned it down multiple times. The filmmaker never really stopped making horror movies, but in the early 1990s his personal issues with the genre were weighing on him. He explains in Inside Story: Scream,

He got more intrigued by Scream when he learned that Drew Barrymore was interested in playing Sidney Prescott, but Craven gives most of the credit for his eventual “yes” to a pre-teen he met during an autograph session:

The rest is horror history.

How Scream Sets Up Its Franchise’s Future

After four sequels and a TV show (with Scream VI soon on the way), the staples of the Scream franchise are all well-established, and all of them have their origins in the original film.

First and foremost, there is Ghostface. While creatives were struggling in Scream’s pre-production to nail down a look for the movie’s slasher, the mask was first discovered by producer Marianne Maddalena while scouting potential filming locations – finding it hanging on a bedpost. The great minds at KNB EFX attempted to create a legally safe knockoff, but nothing they came up with had the impact of what had been found. Wes Craven actually ended up using the mask during filming before proper rights were acquired, but fortunately any legal crisis was averted when the company that owned the mask, Fun World, was discovered, and a deal was made to use the design in exchange for mention in the end credits and $100 (per the 2011 documentary Still Screaming: The Ultimate Scary Movie Retrospective).

It should go without saying that Scream wouldn’t be Scream without Ghostface – but Scream also wouldn’t be Scream without Ghostface’s voice. Roger L. Jackson was initially hired by the production simply to perform opposite Drew Barrymore on set, the thought being that the voice would later be dubbed… but nobody in the world could deliver the line, “You hang up on me again and I’ll gut you like a fish” like he can, and Jackson has been an integral part of the franchise ever since.

Just below the significance of the killer’s look and sound is the big opening scare. As noted, Drew Barrymore was initially cast in the role of Sidney Prescott, but it was her last minute idea for her to play Casey Becker instead. In the tradition of Janet Leigh in Psycho, audiences were shocked that an A-list, heavily promoted talent would be killed off in the first 15 minutes, and an attempt at recreating that magic is present in every sequel.

Of course, genre self-awareness is a huge part of the formula – with characters not just being aware of horror movies, but of the "rules" that govern them – and there is always the slasher-centric mystery, which usually is resolved with the reveal of not just one killer, but two. (I’ll be digging more into that “usually” a couple weeks from now).

Is Scream A Good Horror Movie In General?

Context is not needed to justify the quality of Scream. It is not just a great Scream movie, or even just one of the best horror movies of all time; it’s a phenomenal cinematic achievement with vital importance in the history of genre filmmaking.

There was no shortage of issues in the making of Scream – the effort including Wes Craven nearly being fired early into filming, a conflict with the Santa Rosa City School District Governing Board robbing the production of a key shooting location, and battles with the MPAA to avoid an NC-17 rating for the final cut. And yet through it all, the movie is a masterpiece that is as smart and funny as it is scary.

And Scream truly is brilliantly scary. The meta commentary is pointed, Randy Meeks’ geekdom is hilarious, and we can always “aww” at the budding romance between Dewey and Gale, but when it’s slasher time, there are no laughs or smiles. Whether you are watching the film for the first time or the hundredth, there is no dismissing the pure terror of Casey Becker’s murder, the tragic end of Rose McGowan’s Tatum Riley, or Sidney Prescott’s fight for survival at Stu Macher’s party.

The brilliance of Kevin Williamson’s script, the genius of Wes Craven’s direction, and a perfect ensemble cast permanently cements Scream’s important place in horror and cinema history.

How To Watch Scream

At present, Wes Craven’s Scream is not available on any of the subscription streaming services, but it is nonetheless very accessible online. Digital purchase and rental options are available from the major online outlets – including Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu, and Apple. If you’re a physical media collector, a beautiful 4K edition hit stores in 2021, but you can also get it on standard Blu-ray.

Be on the lookout on CinemaBlend next Thursday for the second edition of Scream’s History And Legacy, which, naturally, will be taking a close look at everything that Scream 2 has to offer both to the franchise of which it is a part and the horror genre at large.

It’s a very exciting time to be a horror fan, as the genre’s current renaissance has resulted in some of the best horror movies returning to theaters via new sequels or reboots. That was definitely the case with Wes Craven’s Scream, with the 2022 movie being a huge hit that inspired another sequel. Scream VI is just a few months away, and the directors have teased some major changes from the last movie. And honestly, sign me up– I was sold thanks to the full trailer.

There was a ton of pressure on directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett for the last Scream movie, as it was the first installment not helmed by the late icon Wes Craven. But they built a slasher sequel that fit right in with the rest of the franchise, while also making A+ commentary on the state of the horror genre. But the pair of filmmakers recently spoke to NME about their bolder plans for Scream VI. As Gillett put it: 

Well, that’s certainly exciting. The story of Scream VI is going from Woodsboro to New York City, and it looks like that new setting is really going to change up the movie’s tension and chase sequences. Sounds like the pair of filmmakers who are at the movie’s helm are ready to mess with expectations and raise the bar in a new way. Is it March yet?

Tyler Gillett’s comments to NME once again show how he and his filmmaking partner are such giant fans of the Scream franchise as a whole. And now that they’ve got their sea legs and succeeded by making a more classic sequel, they’re ready for Scream VI to bring something new to the table. Given their work on the last movie and Ready or Not, I’m eager to see what twists are coming.

Later in that same interview, Tyler Gillett further explained how he and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin wanted to go harder in Scream VI. He also revealed how working on the last sequel gave them the confidence to swing hard for chapter six. In his words,

While there’s always comedic moments and commentary on film in the Scream franchise, it’s also a franchise with truly brutal violence. And it sounds like things are going to be even more visceral when our group of survivors faces off against Ghostface in the Big Apple. As a reminder, you can check out Scream VI’s trailer below:

Luckily for us, the footage seen above is fairly limited. Not much is known about the contents of the movie, other than the new Ghostface seemingly has a shrine to the previous killers. The trailer also got fans super concerned for Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers, who was shown facing off against the killer in her home. But with Scream VI being the first movie without Sidney and Dewey, could they really kill off the only other OG?

All will be revealed when Scream VI hits theaters on March 10th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. Clearly it’s going to be a good year for horror, as it kicked off with the campy hit M3GAN.

The horror genre’s renaissance is showing no signs of slowing down, with projects like M3GAN starting the year off with a bang. One of the most highly anticipated upcoming horror movies is definitly Scream VI, which is the second one helmed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. The movie will largely follow the two sets of surviving siblings from the last movie, as they move from Woodsboro to New York City. But a new Scream VI video makes everyone seem like a suspect, so could a returning character be Ghostface?

Scream VI will mark the first installment of the horror franchise to not feature Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott. But there are still a number of returning characters including Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers and Scream 4’s Hayden Panettiere as Kirby Reed. A new video hyping up the movie recently arrived on Instagram, which features the starring cast each wiping a down a knife like Ghostface. Check it out for yourself below:

Well, my mind is spinning. While we’ve never had a returning character end up being Ghostface in a Scream movie, that does seem to be what this clip is setting up for the fans. It would definitely be a shocking twist, and seemingly usher a new age in the slasher property. Luckily moviegoers won’t have to wait too long for our questions to be answered.

The above video from Scream’s official Instagram account, and comes shortly after the upcoming sequel’s full trailer was revealed to the public. But the Scream franchise is known for its secrecy, and usually include one or more red herrings. Is that what this video is, or does the clip tease a character turning bad? Even Gale Weathers is included in this brief video.

Funny enough, I actually have been wondering about the killer being a returning character prior to this Scream VI video being released. After all, the limited footage show that the new Ghostface has a shrine build around the other killers. And while we got to see the full cast investigating it, I wonder if one of the killers might have been among them. Specifically, I have some suspicions surrounding Hayden Panettiere’s fan favorite survivor Kirby Reed.

Kirby’s return has been a long time coming, as fans like myself have debated whether or not she survived Scream 4 for years now. The fifth movie confirmed this in an easter egg, but she got limited screen time in the new trailer. Is this because most her screen time is at the third act during the final battle? Is she harboring resentment after Jill (Emma Roberts) was originally named the only survivor of their Woodsboro massacre? Only time will tell, but you can check out the trailer below:

Aside from Kirby, maybe one of the Meeks-Martin twins could also end up being a killer in Scream VI. Mindy and Chad are Randy’s niece and nephew respectfully, and the trauma surrounding Ghostface has now affected multiple generations of their family. Could that be enough to make them snap? Some fans out there are also holding out hope that Stu Macher might be alive after all these years. And it’ll be fascinating to see how Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) is coping with seeing visions of her father Billy Loomis.

Scream VI is currently expected to arrive in theaters on March 10th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The horror genre was built on long-running franchises, usually containing an iconic signature killer. Wes Craven's Scream is no exception, with Ghostface and the denizens of Woodsboro remaining beloved over the years. The property will once again return to theaters with Scream VI, directed by filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. And a new image from the upcoming slasher has revealed the first look at Hayden Panettiere back as fan favorite character Kirby Reed.

Hayden Panettiere appeared as Kirby in Scream 4, which was the last installment released before the death of Wes Craven. Fans long debated whether or not she survived her encounter with Ghostface, with her survival being confirmed in an easter egg from the fifth movie. Now we can finally see her back in action thanks to a Scream VI sneak peek from EW. Check it out below:

Do you hear that sound? Its countless Scream fans out there cheering because Kirby Reed has finally graced our screens for the first time. While moviegoers were disappointed to learn that Neve Campbell wouldn't be appearing as Sidney Prescott in Scream VI, the return of Hayden Panettiere might help to soften the blow. Let's just hope she has a major role in the highly anticipated upcoming horror movie. 

This glimpse at Hayden Panettiere in Scream VI comes a day before the movie's full trailer is expected to finally be released. EW got the scoop of additional images featuring the likes of Courteney Cox, Melissa Barrera, and Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega. Chem them out for yourself below,

This sneak peek into Scream VI doesn't reveal much about the movie's contents, but it's thrilling to finally be treated to our first look at Ghostface as well as the survivors who will be attempting to survive his massacre through New York City. The story will focus on the two sets of surviving siblings from the fifth movie, but it looks like they'll eventually be paired with none other than Hayden Panettiere's Kirby Reed. Since she also survived her own Ghostface attack, she might be a valuable resource when facing off against another killer. 

Kirby was one of the bigger horror movie geeks in Scream 4, which is a common trope throughout the slasher property. She got a truly epic phone call sequence with Ghostface, listing of a horror titles while weeping in what is one of the most iconic moments of the entire movie. While she was stabbed by Charlie after he revealed himself as a killer, we never actually saw her body. Luckily the fan theories about her still being alive turned out to be true. 

While the contents of Scream VI are being kept under wraps, the cast and crew have all discussed how the new setting of New York City will have a huge influence on its action. Because while the Big Apple is heavily populated, it's also filled with locals who might not look up when they hear a scream. And as such, it should feel both claustrophobic and isolating. Bring on the scares!

Scream VI is expected to arrive in theaters on March 10th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. We'll just have to wait and see if another sequel is ordered, possibly allowing Neve Campbell to return once again.

The horror genre has been thriving for a number of years now, to the delight of the generations of fans out there. Some of the best horror movies have returned to theaters in the process, including Wes Craven’s Scream. After the fifth movie was released in early 2022, another sequel was prompty ordered and filmed. And original Scream writer/producer Kevin Willimson recently offered some high praise for Scream VI’s contents.

The upcoming Scream sequel is going to be breaking new ground, moving the story from Woodsboro to New York City. It’ll also be the first movie without Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott, to the dismay of the generations of fans. But Kevin Williamson seems to be impressed with what directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett brought to the table for their sophomore effort in the franchise. As he told Syfy during a recent interview:

Well, I’m definitely intrigued. While the fifth Scream movie very much played by the rules of Wes Craven’s original, it seems that things are going in a new direction for Scream VI. And for Kevin Willimson, it’s a game changer for the franchise as a whole. Is it March yet?

Kevin Williamson’s comments to Syfy might help to quell the fears of countless Scream fans out there. It’s almost impossible to imagine the slasher property without Neve Campbell, who departed the project due to a pay dispute. Moviegoers are cautiously optimistic about the upcoming slasher, and hopefully the new setting will help to sell a movie that’s missing the franchise’s leading lady. Fingers crossed.

Not much is known about the contents of Scream VI, but the vague comments from those involved indicated that the new setting of New York City will greatly factor into the movie’s action sequences. The Big Apple is known for having locals that don’t look up when something crazy is happening, which might add to the Ghostface chases. The teaser trailer also showed a tense scene of the characters riding in the subway on Halloween, before noticing various other riders who were dressed up as Ghostface. As a reminder, you can check it out below:

While this brief teaser helped to buoy anticipation for Scream VI, moviegoers are definitely anxious to get a full trailer for the upcoming horror movie. The movie’s contents have been kept under wraps so far, but the synopsis revealed that the story will focus on the two surviving sets of siblings from the fifth movie. Namely Sam and Tara Carpenter (played by Melissa Barrera and Wednesday’s Jenna Ortega respectively), and Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin (Yellowjackets’ Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding). 

Part of the reason why fans are so eager to see a full trailer for Scream VI is because the movie will mark the first time that Hayden Panettiere has reprised her role as Kirby Reed from Scream 4. She was confirmed to be alive thanks to an easter egg from the last movie, but she’s finally back on the big screen. And while fans will be sad about missing Neve Campbell and David Arquette (whose character was killed off), at least another fan favorite character is returning.

Scream VI is currently expected to arrive in theaters on March 10th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. We’ll just have to see if more sequels are ordered, and if Neve Campbell might return sometime in the future. 

The horror genre is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, as its renaissance continues through new and returning properties. Some of the best horror movies returned to theaters as a result of this trend, including Wes Craven’s Scream. The original films were written by Kevin Williamson, who is an executive producer in the last two movies from Radio Silence. And he recently got honest about theories claiming Matthew Lillard’s Stu Macher was still alive.

Stu was one of the two Ghostface killers from the original 1996 Scream movie, offering a truly iconic performance that oscillated between hilarious and creepy. While Neve Campbell’s Sidney killed him in the final battle by crushing his head with a TV set. But fans have long been hoping he’d somehow return, possibly in the new movies being produced by Paramount and Spyglass Media Group. Kevin Williamson reacted to this rumor in an interview with Collider, saying frankly:

Well, there you have it. Kevin Williamson represents both the past and present of the Scream franchise, so he’s definitely the right person to clear up any lingering rumors about Stu Macher still being alive in-universe. But the character is often still referenced, with the 2022 Scream movie even having its final confrontation in his house. What’s more, Lillard and other franchise alumni were able to have brief, subtle cameos in the last movie– honoring Wes Craven in the process. 

Kevin Williamson’s comments to Collider shut down the rumor that Stu is alive, and also gives some context as to how the fan theory got started back in the day. It turns out it all comes down to eagle-eyed fans who spotted him in the background of a Scream 2 scene. But Stu is going to stay dead, despite the many calls for Matthew Lillard to reprise his role.

The calls for Matthew Lillard to return to Scream obviously come as a result of the recent fifth movie, and the upcoming release of Scream VI. On top of the trio of original Scream heroes, fans were delighted to see the return of Skeet Ulrich as Billy Loomis. While he remained dead like Stu, new protagonist Sam (Melissa Barrera) has visions of a young Billy ala the original movie. And this macguffin is expected to be used again in the next slasher. As a reminder, you can check out the first trailer for that movie below:

Pretty chilling, right? Not all that much is known about the contents of Scream VI, but it will make history as the first movie without Neve Campbell’s final girl Sidney Prescott. But the change of settings from Woodsboro to New York City looks like it’s going to raise the stakes of Ghostface sequences in an intriguing way. We’ll just have to wait and see which of the two sets of siblings that survived the last movie end up making it out alive. They’ll be joined by familiar faces like Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers and Scream 4’s Hayden Panettiere as Kirby Reed.

Scream VI is currently expected to arrive in theaters on March 10th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theater in the New Year. 

In the making of 2022's Scream, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet stepped into some massive shoes given that Wes Craven, one of the greatest horror directors of all time, had helmed the four previous installments. Things most definitely worked out well in that case, as the film was a hit when it was released earlier this year and a sequel is on the way in 2023 – and evidently it's inspired a big dose of confidence, as the filmmakers are now planning to "reboot" a John Carpenter classic: Escape From New York.

Movie fans have been hearing talk about a new take on Escape From New York for over a decade now, but this is the first movement that we've seen with the idea in quite a while. According to Deadline, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, along with their producing partner Chad Villella (collectively known as Radio Silence), are now attached to try and move the project forward, and John Carpenter is attached as an executive producer (the article doesn't mention how hands-on he will or won't be). The search for a screenwriter has begun, but the trade doesn't mention any specific names.

This is the first news that we've heard about a new Escape From New York movie since February 2019 when The Invisible Man director Leigh Whannell was hired to write the screenplay for a developing version... but that was hardly the first whack that has been taken at the project. Before Whannell, Robert Rodriguez was lined up to take the helm, and before him it was Luther creator Neil Cross who had the gig. If we rewind back to 2010, we'll find that The Crazies director Breck Eisner was at one point attached. 

Knowing that history, it's understandable if one has doubts about Radio Silence's version actually making real progress forward, but people also had doubts about a new Scream movie being made after the passing of Wes Craven, and we all know how that turned out.

If a new Escape From New York actually does make meaningful steps towards production, it probably won't be until the middle of next year given that the work on the alluded-to Scream 6 is not done. Featuring a stellar cast including Courteney Cox and Hayden Panettiere, the movie has already completed principal photography, but it is now in post-production and still aiming to be ready for its set March 10, 2023 release date. 

The idea of a new version of Escape From New York is a bit worrisome for fans, as the original still holds up incredibly well and a full-on remake would be unnecessary, but Radio Silence's track record should inspire would-be worries to have some hope. Not only is Scream a terrific film that is just as sharp as any of its franchise predecessors, but Ready Or Not (their breakout hit) is brilliant and one of the best horror movies of the last decade.

Stay tuned for more updates and discover all of the other films set to come out next year in addition to Scream 6 with our 2023 Movie Release Calendar.

Aubrey Plaza is known for her deadpan demeanor when she played April Ludgate in Parks and Recreation. So, wouldn’t that make her a dead ringer for a Scream movie? The 38-year-old actress talks about the time when she could have been a villain behind Ghostface and it did not go well.

Playing one of the scariest modern horror movie villains in a Scream movie is always a great acting challenge. You need to come off as innocent to the audience only for the great reveal towards the end to be all the more shocking for them. Believe it or not, Aubrey Plaza revealed to British Vogue’s Olivia Marks on Twitter that she actually auditioned for Scream 4. Watch her hilariously tell the story below,

The story goes that she was told she would audition to play a character that would eventually reveal herself to be the killer. So, Plaza decided to go all method by dressing up as frumpy as an undercover killer would look like to pull off the unsuspecting murderess persona. However, everyone around her looked glamorous. So I guess casting directors preferred to pass the torch to Emma Roberts for that role instead of the Parks and Recreation actress. Maybe it was better off since this comedic actress plays dark very well that it would have given it away pretty quickly. Just like how the identity of Ghostface revealed in Scream 5 was obviously Mikey Madison’s character as this actress terrified audiences plenty playing one of Charles Manson’s “Family” hippies in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. As Plaza explained the situation:

This wouldn’t be the first time that Aubrey Plaza brought out her method actor self in an audition. During her Dirty Grandpa audition for the role of the raunchy Lenore, she showed up in front of the casting directors flashing her butt and talking dirty to them only to make a clean exit. Clearly the casting directors were really impressed with her living out the role. Her co-star Robert De Niro didn’t even recognize her off camera as she played the wild character so well during their sex scenes together. Method acting during an audition proves that you’re offering casting directors a glimpse into what they’re getting into which may or may not work out in your favor. 

Well, there’s no need to feel too sad for Aubrey Plaza. The biggest movie she’s got going on for her right now was when she starred and co-produced Emily the Criminal which had its Sundance premiere in August. She’ll also be joining the cast of season two’s The White Lotus. Not to mention, she’s got two upcoming movies like Guy Ritchie’s Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre and Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis. So, she’s got plenty to keep her busy before a future villain role turns up for her.

The Child’s Play actress may not have had the best audition experience for Scream 4, but failed auditions can end up being very entertaining stories later. Fortunately, Aubrey Plaza has plenty of doors to open in her career.

Spoilers ahead for the new Scream movie.

The horror genre has been in a renaissance for years now, resulting in some of the best horror movies returning to theaters via new sequels. The latest of these is the new Scream movie, which was a massive success that featured the trio of original heroes alongside newcomers. This includes Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers, who recently explained what makes filming the franchise’s final battles so hard.

Courteney Cox made her debut as Gale in Wes Craven’s original Scream, and has reprised her role in all four of the sequels so far. Her signature final girl has taken a number of stab and gunshot sounds in the process, and it sounds like filming these scenes is exhausting– especially in final battle scenes. She was recently asked about rumors that the first movie’s party at Stu’s house took weeks of grueling work to film, responding with:

Well, there you have it. While Scream movies make the epic conclusions look easy, actually filming these long, grueling sequences is another matter. And Courteney Cox has seemingly felt a big difference as the years went by. I wonder how hard it was working on the latest Scream movie; Gale got some epic moments in the final battle against Ghostface.

Courteney Cox’s comments about Scream come from a recent appearance on the beloved web series Hot Ones. While eating hot wings she was asked about her successful career, including the new TV series Shining Vale. Eventually the conversation turned to her tenure playing Gale Weathers, which is her most iconic role besides Monica in Friends. Although being a final girl sounds exhausting.

Luckily for fans of Courteney Cox’s signature Scream character, she managed to survive the most recent installment of the slasher property. What’s more, it seemed that her gunshot wound was healed thanks to those magic EMT blankets. I guess at this point Gale has been wounded so many times she can shake it off; it didn’t stop her from being a total badass and getting revenge for Dewey.

Given the critical and box office success of the new Scream movie, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett have already been tasked with developing a sixth installment in the beloved slasher series. The movie’s plot and cast are currently a mystery, but fans are definitely hoping to see Courteney Cox and Neve Campbell return as Gale and Sidney respectively. Let’s just hope they make it out alive. It was hard enough losing David Arquette’s Dewey in the last movie.

Scream is currently available on VOD and streaming on Paramount+. Be sure to check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Spoilers ahead for the new Scream movie.

With the horror renaissance showing no signs of slowing down, some of the best horror movies have returned to theaters thanks to new sequels. The latest of these is the new Scream movie, helmed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. Actress Melissa Barrera played new final girl Sam Carpenter in the slasher, and recently explained what she’d like to explore with her character in the upcoming sixth film.

The new Scream movie was a critical and box office success, and a new sequel was quickly green-lit by the studio. Not much is known about that developing project, but fans are hoping to see characters new and old return to the big screen. That includes In the Heights actress Melissa Barrera, who was asked where she’d like Sam to go in the future. She respond, saying:

I think I speak for fellow Scream fans when I say: yes, please. Sam became a total savage in the final confrontation in Scream, and it would definitely be interesting to see what further explored in the recently announced sixth movie. Let’s just hope Barrera gets her wish once the script is complete and filming begins.

Melissa Barrera’s comments to Comic Book Movie are sure to turn a few heads, especially given her character’s deep connection to the original Scream. Early on in the new movie it’s revealed that she’s actually the daughter of OG Ghostface Billy Loomis, and sees visions of Skeet Ulrich’s iconic character. She eventually channels his rage in order to defend herself, stabbing Richie countless times before slitting his throat.

This proved to be Sam’s most iconic moment throughout the new Scream movie’s 114-minute runtime, and shows a brutality that Sidney and Gale have never used throughout the previous four movies. It’s something fans responded to, and clearly Melissa Barrera is eager to pivot between light and darkness in the sixth installment of the property.

While there is indeed another Scream movie coming, the movie’s plot and cast remain a mystery. Neve Campbell revealed she’s not sure if she’ll be back, as the script is still coming together. But it’s hard to imagine Scream without Sidney and Gale, even if we’ve been given new heroes like Sam and her sister Tara.

Scream is currently available in theaters and VOD. The movie will arrive on Blu-ray April 5th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Spoilers ahead for Scream.

The horror genre has been on a serious roll for years now, resulting in some of the best horror movies returning to theaters via new sequels. The new Scream movie is just the latest example, and it was such a massive success that another installment has already been ordered. And one of the directors recently joked about Ghostface’s survivors, and shared a sweet tribute to Wes Craven.

The new Scream movie was directed by Ready or Not filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who continued the legacy of the late horror legend Wes Craven. The slasher’s kills were super brutal, with Ghostface getting in a record amount of stabs throughout the movie’s runtime. But Sidney and Gale seemed to recover quickly from being stabbed and shot respectively, especially in the final scene when they’re wrapped in blankets. The directors recently did a watch party, where Bettinelli-Olpin joked about the seemingly “magical” property of said blankets, posting:

Well, at least he’s got a good sense of humor about things. It looks like even the directors of Scream are able to poke fun at the acclaimed new movie, especially now that it’s been out for two months. And Matt Bettinelli-Olpin seems to understand criticism around Sidney and Gale’s wounds in the movie’s final scenes.

The above post comes to us from Matt Bettinelli-Olpin’s official Twitter account. Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox’s signature characters have survived a ton of stab wounds throughout the first four Scream movies, and the latest installment was no exception. They just seemed to be feeling surprisingly good in the final scene, all thanks to those magical EMT blankets.

All jokes aside, it was definitely satisfying to give Gale and Sidney one more scene with new protagonist Sam Carpenter (played by In the Heights actress Melissa Barrera). And since they’ve taken so many stab wounds in the past, maybe it gets a bit easier. Either way, it’s delightful that Scream’s director is able to poke fun at his own work.

During the recent watch party for the new Scream, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin also shared a sweet tribute to Wes Craven. The movie was dedicated to his memory, Dylan Minette’s character was named after him, and the big ending party at Amber’s also featured past and present cast members saluting Craven. It turns out that Courteney Cox and Neve Campbell got in on the fun on set, as the director shared:

How sweet is that? Wes Craven meant a great deal to the trio of Scream heroes, and they’ve all shared what it was like working on the new movie without him. But Craven was certainly there in spirit, and Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox were able to join in on the special onscreen tribute, even if their characters weren’t actually in that scene.

Scream is currently available on digital, ahead of releasing on Blu-Ray and DVD. And as previously mentioned, there’s yet another sequel coming down the line. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Spoilers ahead for 2022’s Scream.

Wes Craven’s 1996 Scream is widely considered one of the best horror movies of all time. The generations of fans were thrilled to return to Woodsboro with a new movie, which was a critical and box office success. But will the Scream OG’s return for the recently announced sequel? Here’s what Courteney Cox thinks.

The original trio of Scream heroes recently returned for the new sequel, although we seemingly got the final appearance from David Arquette’s Dewey. As soon as the new sequel was announced, fans immediately began wondering about the cast, especially Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox. The latter actress was asked if she’d be back for the new movie coming from directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. And while she was nervous about spoiling the ending of the 2022 movie, she said:

Do you hear that sound? It’s the sound of countless Scream fans out there collectively cheering for Gale Weathers. While it’s unclear if there’s been any official casting, it seems like Courteney Cox would be down to once again play her signature quick-witted final girl. Hopefully she signs an official deal to return for the newly announced sequel.

Courteney Cox’s comments to Comic Book occurred during an interview about her STARZ series Shining Vale. Eventually the conversation turned to her ongoing role in the Scream franchise, and the newly announced sixth installment that’s coming down the line. Luckily for us, she seems down to once again reprise her role as the beloved Gale Weathers.

The most recent Scream movie very much focused on the new characters, especially sisters Sam and Tara, played by Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega respectively. But the trio of original heroes did factor in, with Courteney Cox’s Gale getting some truly iconic moments in the finale. It’s hard to imagine the new movie without her character, so the fandom is collectively keeping their fingers crossed– especially since Cox has expressed her interest in returning. 

While the new Scream had some truly brutal kills, there were a surprising amount of survivors that can be featured in the next movie. In addition to Gale and Sidney, both Sam and Tara managed to outlive Ghostface. Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin also were revealed to be alive in the final moments, with the actors already joking about who might survive the next sequel. Additionally, fans are hoping to finally see the return of Hayden Panettiere’s Kirby Reed from Scream 4, especially since it was revealed that she survived.

Scream is still in theaters now. Be sure to check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

While January is typically a slow month at the movies, the new Scream movie ended up being an exception. In fact, fans of horror movies went out in droves to theaters to see Ghostface’s latest attack through Woodsboro. And the directors have explained why the new movie has so much music from Wes Craven’s original.

The new Scream movie was directed by Ready or Not filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, marking the first installment of the franchise since Wes Craven’s death. I had the privilege of speaking with the pair about the acclaimed new slasher, and the various ways it honored Craven’s legacy. This includes the music, which features beloved musical themes as well as a song from the original soundtrack. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin explained the emphasis on Scream’s music, saying:

He’s definitely got a point there. While the Scream franchise is known for its smart dialogue and brutal kills, the franchise also has a certain musical language. And so when tackling the latest movie, the filmmakers behind the camera were sure to play by the musical rules of the property.

While the new Scream movie was made to be accessible for newcomers, it’s also filled with easter eggs for the hardcore fandom. And it was definitely fun to hear characters introduced with their signature music. Ghostface’s second kill featured Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ song “Red Right Hand,” while both Sidney and Dewey’s musical themes were heard throughout the slasher. You can listen to that iconic track as a refresher below,

Later in our conversation, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin went on to further explain why the music of Scream was something handled with specificity. As he told me,

While Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett had some big shoes to fill, but they definitely took special care with every aspect of the new Scream movie. And those efforts definitely seemed to have paid off. The movie got great reviews, and has continued to make money at the box office. We’ll just have to see if another sequel is ordered. This fan’s fingers are crossed.

Scream is still in theaters now. Be sure to check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The horror genre continues to have a slew of massive successes, despite the somewhat precarious position of the theater industry. Case in point: the new Scream movie, which went to #1 at the box office and has been a critical success. Fans were thrilled to see returning actors back on the big screen, including Scream 4’s Marley Shelton. And she described to me how she became Judy Hicks years after the fourth movie.

Prior to the release of Scream, I had the privilege of speaking with both the cast and directors about what it was like returning to Woodsboro. That included a chat with Marley Shelton herself, as you can see in the video above. I asked about the process of finding a character she hadn’t played in nearly a decade, to which she said:

Well, there you have it. Despite the time that passed, it sounds like Marley Shelton found it fairly easy to become Judy Hicks on the set of Scream. Although she did previously admit that filming in the midst of the pandemic provided some awkward challenges. Luckily she was able to jump back into the Woodsboro Police Officer’s shoes.

Marley Shelton was one of the few returning actors to appear in the new Scream apart from the trilogy of main heroes played by Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette. She was an excellent red herring for Ghostface in the fourth movie, and was (seemingly) the only survivor to make it out of the massacre. Although this version of the perky deputy has changed a bit.

Later in our same conversation about Scream, Marley Shelton cued me into some of the actual challenges that came with playing Judy Hicks the second time around. Namely because of the time passed and changes that happened to her character since we saw her in Scream 4’s final battle in the hospital. As she put it,

Another solid point. Deputy Judy became the Sheriff of Woodsboro’s Police Department after Dewey was asked to step down, which no doubt greatly changed the character. Add in having a teenage son Wes (played by 13 Reasons Why star Dylan Minnette), and she’s no doubt have to grow up quite a bit. And that’s what Marley Shelton tried to bring to her character this time around.

Scream is in theaters now, with fans hoping it makes enough money to warrant a sequel. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

If you’re even a little bit of a horror fan, chances are you’ve been psyched for the newest Scream film ever since the fourth installment came out ten years ago. Seeing the OG Scream cast (or, at least the actors whose characters have lived this long) back on screen has been such a refreshing throwback. It’s hard to ignore the similarities to real life, though, as the on-screen relationship between Dewey Riley and Gail Weathers more or less reflects that of their portrayers, David Arquette and Courteney Cox. Arquette (whose character was nearly killed in the original film) has now opened up on how franchise creator and original director Wes Craven helped encourage his relationship with Cox. 

Although there's a lot to love about the Scream series, one thing that viewers seems to love most is the relationship between David Arquette and Courteney Cox’s iconic characters. In an interview with People, Arquette explained that it was because of Wes Craven that he stepped up and pursued a relationship with the Friends star. Here’s what he said, exactly:

Listen, I’m not sure what kind of "stuff" the late director was specifically referring to in regards to David Arquette. However, if I heard through the grapevine that I had a shot with Courteney Cox, there’s no amount of “stuff” organizing I wouldn’t do to jump at the chance. And it would seem that Arquette agreed, because he and his co-star began dating shortly after that and were married two years later.   

It’s pretty clear what David Arquette means when he says Wes Craven’s heart-to-heart over Courteney Cox changed the course of his life, though. The two were married for a pretty significant chunk of time (over a decade), and they share a daughter together. And by all appearances, the two still remain pretty close.

With such a big part of his life affected by Wes Craven, not even taking into consideration that he worked closely with him on the majority of the Scream franchise, it’s easy to see why making Scream 5 without the iconic horror director was so difficult for the Dewey Riley actor. Craven passed away back in 2015, and the new film is the first in the franchise to be made without him. With this, the recently released film even includes a tribute to the beloved filmmaker. The love for the Hollywood legend goes further than just David Arquette, as the new directors aimed to uphold the legacy of his creation.

You can check out Scream in theaters now, while the rest of the franchise installments on streaming. With any luck, there will be a sixth film in the future (although, let's hope it doesn't take another decade for it to arrive).

The following story contains MAJOR spoilers for the new Scream movie, so stop reading now if you haven’t yet seen the film.

Even though the new Scream movie that’s currently packing movie theaters is titled Scream, it’s really Scream 5… and it does a very good job of paying homage to the four films that came before it. Classic supporting characters like Deputy Judy Hicks (Marley Shelton) and Martha Meeks (Heather Matarazzo) return to the narrative alongside the legacy characters of Sidney (Neve Campbell), Dewey (David Arquette), and Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox). The directing team of Radio Silence are huge fans of the entire Scream franchise and wanted to honor what had come before them. But they admit that one line of dialogue that made it into their movie retcons a major Scream 3 plot… and they did it on purpose. 

If you haven’t seen Scream 3 in a while – well, you aren’t missing much. It’s largely considered by the Scream fanbase to be the lamest of the franchise, as the action shifts from Woodsboro to Hollywood, where Ghostface is targeting the cast of the movie-in-a-movie, Stab 3. So meta. By the end of the movie, the killer is revealed to be Roman Bridger (Scott Foley), director of Stab 3 who is ALSO Sidney’s half-brother AND the one who baited Billy and Stu to commit the murders in the original Scream. This steals from the mythology of Billy and Stu, which Radio Silence team members Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett really wanted to lean on. 

So when the directors came on ReelBlend for a deep dive spoiler conversation about the new Scream, I asked them about the line of dialogue in their movie that solidifies Billy and Stu as the “start” of all the Woodsboro terror – thereby ignoring the Roman reveal in Scream 3 – Bettinelli-Olpin admitted to us:

And do you know what? I’m OK with that. The new Scream doesn’t go so far as to say it’s ONLY a sequel to Scream 1 and 2. It definitely includes key elements of Scream 4, so the entire franchise is on the table. But to hear the guys admit that they ignore the Roman reveals is exciting, especially when they tell ReelBlend why. Co-director Tyler Gillett has an explanation, saying:

I’d agree. What about you? Did that line hit you differently when you heard it? Are you going to seek #JusticeForRoman, as Matt joked on the ReelBlend show? You need to hear their complete spoiler-filled interview if you are a rabid Scream fan. It’s packed with goodies, and it drops on January 21.

This story contains MASSIVE spoilers for the new Scream movie, so stop reading now if you haven’t yet seen it. Seriously. 

The new Scream isn’t just a love letter to the popular horror franchise, it’s a tribute to the legacy of filmmaker Wes Craven, who guided the previous four Scream movies as well as many other classic horror entries before dying in 2015. The guys behind the new Scream – co-directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett – have been allowing the movie to speak for itself at the theaters, choosing to protect the bulk of the movie’s reveals. But now that Scream has made its mark, they sat down with CinemaBlend’s ReelBlend podcast to share some of the sequel’s best secrets.

Including a very subtle Freddy Krueger nod that you I guarantee you missed… because it’s hardly obvious.

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett make up the team Radio SIlence. Before Scream, they helmed the notable horror thriller Ready or Not with Samara Weaving. And the more you talk with them, the more you realize they have a deep affection for Wes Craven and his films. So when they came back onto ReelBlend, we had to ask them if there are other non-Scream Craven nods in the movie, and they dropped this bomb on us. 

The Freddy Krueger reference is tied to Amber, the killer played by Mikey Madison. Near the end of the film, Amber is knocked onto a lit stove, and catches on fire. This is Scream, so she’s not dead YET! When a badly burned Amber runs at Sidney and Gale, Matt and Tyler realized that they had an opportunity. Joined by their executive producer Chad Villella, the trio tells ReelBlend:

Now I wish that scene was available online so I could pay closer attention to the design of the ear they gave to burned Amber! It really happens so fast, which is why I can practically guarantee that even die-hard Nightmare on Elm Street fans didn’t look at her head and go, “Wait, was that a Freddy nod?” In fact, Tyler Gillett tells us it's the one shot they wish lasted on screen longer so fans could appreciate it. But it’s not the LAST Wes Craven nod. 

Radio Silence continued to reveal to ReelBlend: 

It’s thrilling to hear how much homework these guys did on Wes Craven before diving into Scream. They have a real passion for him, and his films. To the extent that they even included bird sounds in their sound mix because they knew Craven was an avid bird watcher. Chad Villella and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin explained: 

I’m beyond impressed by the Radio Silence team as they put Scream together. You can listen to our initial, spoiler-free conversation with them by clicking here. And our spoiler-filled convo with them will be on the next ReelBlend episode.

The horror genre has been in a renaissance for a number of years, thanks to acclaimed original movies, and long-awaited franchise sequels. The new Scream is in the latter category, and marks the first time an installment was brought to life since the death of the late Wes Craven. The slasher property has forever changed the genre, and like most fans, I’ve got some opinions about which is the best Scream movie. Let’s break down all of the Scream movies, ranked.

4. Scream 3 (2000)

Scream 3 was originally set up to be the “final” installment of the property, but no horror franchise is ever truly dead. The third installment came out in 2000, and takes place largely on the set of in-universe movie Stab 3. This allows for Wes Craven to do some great nods to the original movie, and have some commentary about the film industry as a whole. Unfortunately I don’t think it’s the best Scream movie out there. 

Wes Craven’s threequel has a tone unique to the rest of the franchise, leaning on comedy and camp, and even going full Scooby Doo at points. The violence is way more dialed down when compared to its predecessors. Sidney also has over the top visions of her dead mother, which felt a bit out of place. The Ghostface reveal does some less than ideal retconning, which never sat right with me. It’s for these reasons that it’s always been my least favorite of the bunch; it just feels like Scream 3 is in a slightly different franchise. That being said, every single line Parker Posey utters as Jennifer Jolie is hilarious, and the threequel did gift us with Courteney Cox’s infamous bangs. 

3. Scream 2 (1997)

The pressure was on for Wes Craven to deliver with Scream 2, given what a phenomenon the original 1996 movie was. Luckily he and writer Kevin Williamson did just that, and created what many consider as one of the best Scream movies. We jump ahead in time to follow Sidney and Randy (Jamie Kennedy) at college, where a copycat killer soon begins killing on campus.

Scream 2 helped to greatly expand the narrative of the franchise, cementing the trio of OG heroes who would lead all five movies. The cast is stellar, with newcomers like Sarah Michelle Gellar and Laurie Metcalf standing out with their performances. The kills are gruesome, the identity of Ghostface is genuinely surprising, and we’re treated to another iconic opening sequence courtesy of Jada Pinkett Smith. This also showed footage from the Stab movie featuring Heather Graham, which would be seen a number of times throughout the franchise.

2. Scream 4 (2011)

I might be a bit biased on this one, because Scream 4 was the first movie that I was able to see in theaters. That being said, Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson reunited for this sequel and came back with a vengeance. This sequel brings us back to Woodsboro as Sidney is doing a book tour while Gale and Dewey are happily married. It also features Sidney’s cousin Jill (Emma Roberts) and her friends.

Scream 4 brings a ton of new and exciting concepts to the franchise, and features iconic performances. The triple opening sequence is a standout that shows Craven and Williamson came to bring something new to the table. All three of the original cast members bring it, but there are some real stand out performances from Hayden Panettiere, Emma Roberts, and Alison Brie. It’s also the birth of Marley Shelton’s Judy Hicks, who has a role in the 2022 Scream. 

The kills in Scream 4 are a return to form for the franchise, with the camp of Scream 3 left in the early 2000s. That isn’t to say there isn’t still comedy; Anthony Anderson, Courteney Cox, and Alison Brie all chew the scenery and consistently get belly laughs from me. Act 3 of the movie is also super effective, with tension building to a boiling point by the time Ghostface’s identities are revealed.

1. Scream (1996)

Sidney Prescott says in Sream 4 “Don’t fuck with the original.” And Neve Campbell’s signature character is right, as Wes Craven’s OG 1996 flick is by far the best Scream movie. What he was able to do with Scream was revolutionary, and single-handedly saved the horror genre at the time. And despite the movie coming out over 20 years ago, its aged like fine wine in regards to both the dialogue and the actual scares.

It’s a story that even the most casual fans are familiar with: The Ghostface killer starts killing teenagers in the town of Woodsboro, starting with Drew Barrymore’s Casey Becker. That opening sequence is probably the most iconic horror scene from the last few decades, and absolutely shocked audiences at the time. This is due to both the grisly violence and the fact that the character played by Barrymore, who was a massive star, died so early.

Scream introduced a new tone to the horror genre; one that pivots between comedy and gnarly kill scenes. It’s a method that countless projects would try to emulate over the next few years, to varying levels of success. Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson’s way of breaking down the genre made it an instant classic for fans of the genre, many of whom identify with Randy. The original cast is all stellar, in particular standouts like Matthew Lillard and Rose McGowan. It’s just too bad that their respective tenures in the franchise were cut so short.

What’s your favorite scary movie? Well, that answer is clear from this list: the first and best Scream movie. Of course, this list will soon be updated to reflect the newest addition to the franchise, which is just days away from hitting theaters. The 2022 Scream is helmed by Ready or Not filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, whose love for the franchise inspired legacy actors like Neve Campbell to return to Woodsboro. We’ll just have to wait and see if the movie performs well, and if more sequels come as a result. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

For the past few years, it’s been a great time to be a horror fan. The genre’s renaissance is still going strong, with the next highly anticipated release being the new Scream movie this January. And the new sequel recently confirmed another intriguing connection to Wes Craven’s original movie. Let’s break it all down.

The new Scream movie will be helmed by Ready or Not directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, marking the first installment of the franchise hitting theaters since Wes Craven’s death. But it seems like the duo are making the new sequel intimately connected to the original, featuring the trio of OG heroes, and Stu’s house in Woodsboro as a major setting. And it’s just been revealed that there’s also a tie to Jamie Kennedy’s character Randy.

This latest update comes to us from a video on the new Scream’s tie-in TikTok account. In the clip, members of Woodsboro High Film Club confirm that newcomers Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin (played by Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown respectively) are actually Randy’s nephew and niece. It should be interesting to see how this dynamic of the story plays out in the new sequel, and how Randy’s family continued on after his shocking death in Scream 2.

Not much is known about Randy’s home life, but we did meet one other member of the family after his death. Character actress Heather Matarazzo played Randy’s teenage sister Martha in Scream 3, delivering his posthumous message to Sidney and company. Could this mean the Princess Diaries actress might be back for a surprise appearance in the 2022 sequel? Only time will tell, but I’m suddenly much more invested in Chad and Mindy as characters.

The cast and crew of Scream have been carefully guarding the movie’s secrets, which should allow for the twists and turns to be all the more powerful when it hits theaters in just a few weeks. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett gave the cast fake scripts on set, and have already confirmed that the trailers include misdirects for the audience. As a reminder, you can check out said trailer below,

Aside from being related to the Jaime Kennedy’s beloved character Randy, Jasmin Savoy Brown’s character Mindy Meeks-Martin is also notable for being a queer woman of color. Indeed, the cast of the new Scream is the most inclusive that the film franchise has ever had. Although that doesn’t mean that anyone is safe from Ghostface when the project slashes into theaters.

The more information that trickles out about Scream, the more it shows how the project will be super connected to the 1996 original. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are massive fans of Wes Craven, and their respect for his work was partly how they convinced returning stars like Neve Campbell to sign up. We’ll just have to see if this kickstarts a new trilogy of movies, or if the new sequel is simply a one-off akin to Scream 4.

Scream is currently expected to hit theaters exclusively on January 14th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The horror genre has been in a renaissance for years now, to the delight of fans. But there are certain projects that stand out as game changers. Wes Craven’s 1996 Scream is certainly in that category, starting a franchise that’s continuing with the upcoming fifth movie. And OG stars Neve Campbell, David Arquette, and Courteney Cox have reflected on making this sequel without Craven.

Horror legend Wes Craven was the man behind the camera for all four of the previous Scream movies, so the pressure on for Ready or Not filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett to deliver in the new sequel. Luckily they’re giant fans of Craven, which is partly why the legacy cast decided to return for another appearance. In a new video published by Paramount Pictures, the trio of original heroes reflected on returning to Woodsboro without Wes. As David Arquette put it,

David Arquette has been open about what an emotional experience it was to film Scream without his friend and collaborator Wes Craven. The slasher franchise in many ways has marked milestones in his personal life, specifically his marriage with Courteney Cox. Luckily, the directors of the new movie were able to win him over thanks to their clear love for Craven’s work.

Of course, David Arquette wasn’t the only original cast member returning for the new Scream. Fans can’t wait to catch up with Neve Campbell’s final girl Sidney Prescott, who has become a mother since the last time we saw her. In this same clip, she shared her original apprehension to join the fifth installment, saying:

Exactly how Wes Craven will be honored in Scream remains a mystery, but the project will seemingly be intimately connected with the 1996 original movie. Dylan Minnette’s character is also named Wes, in a clear nod to the beloved filmmaker. Additionally, Stu’s house from the original is seemingly a major setting in the new Scream.

Courteney Cox is also back in Scream as Gale Weathers, rocking her signature bright suits in the process. She also reflected on filming the new movie without Wes Craven on set. She said,

Overall it certainly sounds like directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett made the new Scream a love letter to Wes Craven’s legacy. We’ll just have to see how the new slasher performance, and if a new line of movies is kickstarted in the process. You can see the cast and crew speak about Craven in the clip below,

Luckily for the generations of Scream fans out there, the wait for the new sequel is nearly up. The marketing campaign has been kicking up as a result, and smart money says more clips like the one seen above will make their way online over the next few weeks.

Scream will hit theaters on January 14th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

It’s a good time to be a horror fan, as the genre has been consistently putting out acclaimed new projects. This includes long-awaited sequels like the upcoming Scream movie from Ready or Not directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. And a new video from the slasher features a fun nod to Rose McGowan’s iconic death in the original movie.

Wes Craven’s 1996 Scream movie changed the genre forever, and kickstarted a beloved property that’s about to release its whopping fifth installment. From the looks of it, the 2022 sequel will feature a ton of connections to Craven’s original movie, and the latest clip highlighting the new cast seemingly gives a nod to Rose McGowan’s death as Tatum in the garage. Check it out for yourself,

Did you catch it? While teasing how the new characters are connected to the events of the 1996 Scream, we see some of the fun visual homages to Wes Craven’s beloved original. That includes a scene in a garage that feels connected to Tatum’s iconic death via doggy door. Let’s break it all down.

The moment in question comes at around the 1:08 mark of the video, where we see Jasmin Savoy Brown’s Mindy speaking to her girlfriend Amber (Mikey Madison). She surprises her from behind a refrigerator, which seems to harken back to the iconic garage scene from the original Scream. And smart money says this is just the tip of the iceberg regarding visual homages.

Rose McGowan gave an iconic performance in the original Scream, although Tatum wasn’t lucky enough to survive her own encounter with Ghostface. She died after putting up a strong fight in the garage of Stu’s house, meeting a grisly fate in the process. As a reminder, you can check out that sequence below,

While Tatum perished facing off against Ghostface in the garage, it should be interesting to see how the new characters ultimately fare in the new Scream. In addition to legacy characters like Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott, the directors assembled a killer cast of young talent to play Woodsboro teenagers. Familiar faces include 13 Reasons Why star Dylan Minnette, In the Heights’ Melissa Barrera, and You’s Jenna Ortega. 

The new Scream marks the first installment release since the death of the legendary Wes Craven. And while actors like David Arquette have been open about how this made filming an emotional experience, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett seemingly proved themselves as giant fans of Craven’s work. It’s that respect for the original that helped convince Neve Campbell to return as Sidney.

Scream is currently expected to arrive in theaters on January 14th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The horror genre has been in a renaissance for years now, resulting in beloved franchises returning to theaters. Case in point: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s upcoming Scream movie, which will arrive shortly after the New Year. Although a new Scream image has me worried for one returning character.

Horror fans were delighted to learn that the trio of original Scream heroes would be returning for the new sequel: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette. But there’s another familiar face set to appear: Scream 4’s Marley Shelton as Judy Hicks. But a new poster for the upcoming slasher has me worried she might not last long. Check out the image below,

I mean, how cool is that poster? Including a delightful catchphrase “The Killer is on this poster”, this is an awesome group shot of the starring cast of Scream. But considering how small Judy Hicks is when compared to the OG’s and the new characters, I have to wonder if she’ll meet a grisly fate at the hands of Ghostface.

The above image comes to us from the official social media of the Scream franchise. With the highly anticipated movie arriving shortly after the New Year, the marketing campaign for the fifth installment in Wes Craven’s franchise has been ramping up. Although as the directors confirmed, the first trailer contains some misdirects for the audience.

Judy Hicks debuted in Scream 4, and was one of the many red herrings for the possible identity of Ghostface. In the end deputy Judy managed to survive the massacre thanks to her kevlar vest ("wear the vest, save your chest") which allowed her to return for the new sequel. But Marley Shelton’s character only appears for a brief moment in the first trailer, so it’s unclear how meaty her role is.

While Judy Hicks' image in this Scream poster is relatively small, the same can't be said for her son Wes. 13 Reasons Why star Dylan Minnette is playing on screen son, and he's one of the many teenagers filling out the cast. We'll just have to see if the Hicks family survives when Ghostface returns to Woodsboro to claim more lives. 

The new Scream movie marks the first installment of the franchise since the death of Wes Craven, who helmed the previous four. But Ready or Not directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett seemingly have a ton of love for the late filmmaker's legacy, which is partly how they convinced actors like Neve Campbell to return to the franchise. Their work on Ready or Not also shows an ability to balance comedy and horror, which is key to the tone of Scream.

Luckily for the generations of Scream fans out there, our answers will be answered shortly as the movie arrives in theaters January 14th. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The horror genre was built on long-running franchises, and the ‘90s brought us a beloved property with Wes Craven’s Scream. There’s a new installment coming in January, complete with original stars like David Arquette aka Dewey. Arquette recently recalled nearly getting killed off in the first movie, and a funny reason why he’s glad he didn’t.

The 1996 original Scream saw most of the cast fall, but a handful of survivors were able to make it and pop up in the sequel(s). David Arquette’s Dewey is one of the three heroes who have appeared in every installment, although the Woodsboro Deputy nearly bit the dust in Wes Craven’s original. Arquette recently spoke about this twist of fate, saying:

The man’s got a point. If Dewey died in the original Scream, David Arquette and Courtney Cox never would have worked together in the next few movies. It was during the sequels they fell in love, got married, and started their own family. Good thing Wes Craven decided to keep him around.

David Arquette’s comments come from a recent appearance he did on Late Night with Seth Meyers. Obviously much of the conversation surrounded his tenure playing Dewey in Scream, especially with the upcoming sequel arriving in the New Year. And just like the previous four installments, the 50 year-old actor will once again star with the father of his child: one Courteney Cox. 

To say David Arquette’s life was changed by Scream is an understatement, as it had a major effect on both his career and family. It’s likely for this reason that he remains such a big cheerleader for the franchise as a whole, and Wes Craven’s ongoing legacy. I mean, he has a daughter because of the slasher property.

The contents of the new Scream are being kept under wraps, as the franchise is notorious for its tight security. The first trailer basically broke the internet, although the pair of Ready or Not directors have already admitted that it contains misdirects. Footage of the trio of original stars is limited, and fans are especially nervous for David Arquette’s character Dewey.

The overall plot of the fifth Scream remains largely a mystery, but it seems like another murderer will rise in Woodsboro. This leads new protagonist Sam (Melissa Barrera) to seek out advice from David Arquette’s Dewey, who presumably assembles the three OG’s. Let’s just hope that he survives alongside Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers and Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott.

Scream is currently expected to arrive in theaters on January 14th. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Horror fans out there are currently re-watching their favorite movies to celebrate spooky season. And for many (including myself) that honor goes to Wes Craven’s 1996 classic Scream. We’re coming up on the movie’s 25th anniversary, and writer Kevin Williamson recently spoke to the pushback from the MPAA on violence, including Drew Barrymore’s iconic opening sequence.

In honor of Scream’s 25th Anniversary, the beloved slasher was re-released on 4k. The cast and crew have also been sharing memories from the set, including prolific screenwriter Kevin Williamson. When discussing the violence of the movie, he spoke about how the MPAA pushed back during the finale at Stu’s party. Specifically when the two killers stab each other in order to provide an alibi. Williamson recalled this give and take, saying:

It’s wild to see how the sausage gets made. Scream was groundbreaking in a number of ways, including how Wes Craven shot the movie’s violence. Ultimately some compromises were made, while others like the death of Drew Barrymore’s Casey Becker were able to remain intact.

Kevin Williamson’s comments to THR come from a long oral history about Wes Craven’s original Scream movie. The violence and gore of the slasher are still chilling today, especially that opening sequence with Drew Barrymore. But it turns out the grisly party scene could have been way worse if the MPAA hadn’t pushed back against Craven and company.

After Billy and Stu reveal themselves as Ghostface in the original Scream, the two set the scene to ultimately get away with the massacre. By injuring themselves they’d pin the crimes on Sidney’s father, a strategy that was repeated in Scream 4. You can check out the sequence below, but know that it could have been way harder to watch.

Is anyone else also “feeling a little woozy here?” This scene from Scream plays out pretty gruesomely, particularly for Matthew Lillard’s Stu. I can only imagine the bloody footage that ultimately landed on the cutting room floor. 

Luckily for fans, the Scream franchise will soon return to theaters. The upcoming filth movie will arrive in January, and will mark the first installment not helmed by the late Wes Craven. But the original trio of heroes are returning: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette. You can re-watch the trailer here:

Scream is currently expected to arrive in theaters on January 14th, 2022, and the 4k re-master of Wes Craven’s original is out now. Be sure to check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Some filmmakers help to elevate the entire horror genre, and the late Wes Craven is certainly one of those names. Craven helped to bring Freddie Kreuger to life, before reviving slashers with his acclaimed work on Scream. Although it turns out that Scream’s Jamie Kennedy was actually rejected for that original movie. Could you imagine anyone else playing Randy?

Scream is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and is being re-released on 4k for the generations of fans out there. I had the privilege of speaking with original star Jamie Kennedy about his time in Woodsboro, as you can see in the video above. I asked Kennedy what that audition process was like for Wes Craven’s original movie, where he revealed:

Well, my mind is blown. Jamie Kennedy gave a legendary performance in Scream, portraying the horror nerd that so many of us identify with. But he was still relatively green as a screen actor, and therefore some studio heads didn’t want him in the role. Luckily we all know how this eventually worked out.

Jamie Kennedy’s comments about Scream help to show how the beloved slasher project came together before becoming a sensation. Getting Ghostface to the big screen for the first time had a number of challenges, and casting was only one small part. Drew Barrymore famously helped to get the movie made, and was originally up to play Sidney Prescott before shifting to her iconic role as Casey Becker.

In the end Wes Craven’s original Scream would end up elevating the star power of the entire starring cast, including Jamie Kennedy. As one of the only survivors, he’d reprise his role in Scream 2, being shockingly killed off early in the movie’s runtime. But Craven would still find a way to include Kennedy in the threequel thanks to a message recorded prior to his death by Ghostface.

Scream will soon return to theaters with the upcoming fifth movie, with the original trio of heroes returning: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette. It looks like the new sequel will also be set in Woodsboro, so I’m hoping that Jamie Kennedy’s Randy is at least referenced throughout the course of this new installment. After all, he was the one that introduced all of us to the rules of surviving a horror movie.

The new Scream movie will hit theaters January 14th, and the original movie’s 4K release is out now. Be sure to check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Every few years a horror movie is released that absolutely changes the genre as a whole. Wes Craven’s original Scream is certainly in that category, helping to revive slashers through a mix of comedy and terror. The franchise is also known for its secrets, and original star Jamie Kennedy aka Randy recently told CinemaBlend how spoilers were guarded Pre-Marvel.

The concept of spoilers isn’t one that was being discussed when the Scream movies were released in the 1990s. Franchises like the MCU have made this concern commonplace, with studios going to great lengths to guard the secrets of major blockbusters. I had the privilege of speaking with Jamie Kennedy about Scream’s 25th anniversary and newly remastered 4k version. During our chat, he explained how the franchise’s security evolved. As he put it in the above video,

Well, there you have it. Much like modern blockbusters, the Scream franchise began taking special care of its scripts starting with the first sequel. Jamie Kennedy was there to see the before and after that occurred as a result of Wes Craven’s original movie becoming a sensation. Considering the Scream movies are about who is behind the mask of Ghostface, these secrets were vital to the theatrical experience. 

The Scream franchise has continued to grow and piece pop culture over the past 25 years, with a new installment coming this January. The new Scream marks the first sequel to hit theaters since the great Wes Craven passed away. The new directors went to great lengths to keep the upcoming movie’s secrets, including giving the cast alternate versions of the script. The security that came with Scream 2 just showed another way that the slasher property has influenced future projects.

As a reminder, you can check out the first full trailer for the new Scream below. Although be warned: the directors have already been open about how it contains misdirects. Let’s just hope that the new characters use Randy’s rules for surviving a horror movie.

After his character Randy was one of the few survivors of Scream, Jamie Kennedy had appearances in the first two sequels. While he was shockingly killed off early in the first sequel, Randy got to appear in the threequel via a pre-recorded message from the grave. He was noticeably absent from Scream 4, but some fans are still hoping that Randy appears or is referenced in the new movie.

Scream will return to theaters on January 14th, 2022. The new 4k version of the original is also available now. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Spooky season is currently in full swing, and plenty of moviegoers are taking the time to watch a scary movie. Wes Craven’s 1996 classic Scream changed the genre forever, with fans are eager to see Ghostface return to theaters this January. And the iconic Drew Barrymore recently shared rare footage from Craven’s original set.

The original Scream movie shocked audiences when Drew Barrymore’s character Casey Becker died in the chilling opening sequence. With the 2022 Scream recently releasing its first trailer, Barrymore took the time to share some A+ set videos from her time filming the OG slasher. You can check that out below, and see that iconic scene coming together:

While Drew Barrymore looked absolutely terrified in Scream’s theatrical cut, this clip shows that she did manage to have some fun while being killed by Ghostface. But those who know Barrymore’s sparkling personality, this should hardly be a surprise. Let’s break down what we’re being shown here.

The above video comes to us from Drew Barrymore’s personal Instagram account, and is sure to delight the generations of Scream fans out there. The series of clips is set to the soundtrack of the movie, specifically “Red White Hand” by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. Barrymore is shown in Casey’s signature white sweater, which gets progressively more bloodied as filming goes on.

It looks like Drew Barrymore endured some chilly night shoots while working on Scream, despite her limited screen time in the movie. We can see the actress-producer bundled up between takes, and can see Casey’s wear and tear as the clip goes on. Luckily that’s balanced by Barrymore dancing on set and being overall delightful.

Given Drew Barrymore’s star power, her early death in Scream proved that truly no one was safe in Wes Craven’s beloved slasher. This is a concept that Barrymore herself was passionate about, hand-picking the role of Casey over the protagonist Sidney. That decision also made way for Neve Campbell’s outstanding performance as the final girl, and she’s set to appear in the 2022 sequel as well.

For her part, Drew Barrymore also continues to have a great sense of humor about her iconic role in Scream. She even rocked her signature wig and sweater to play Casey in some segments for The Drew Barrymore Show. Check it out below,

The new Scream movie is just months away, arriving in theaters exclusively this January. And since the first trailer arrived, anticipation is at a fever pitch. Marketing for the blockbuster has obviously kicked off, with some lucky fans even getting to stay at Stu’s house from the original movie via Airbnb. 

Scream is expected to hit theaters on January 14th, 2022. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience

David Arquette has been in every Scream installment since the original 1996 film and, in the process, his character, Dew Riley, has gone from hapless deputy to Woodsboro’s sheriff. The actor has also witnessed the ebbs and flows the franchise has experienced over the last three decades. The latest movie is being positioned as a reset of sorts and, unlike previous outings, it wasn’t created under the carefully eye of Wes Craven. While fans might be skittish about the results, Arquette isn’t worried about the final product. In fact, he recently explained how OG and new Scream fans will enjoy the soft reboot of the horror franchise.

The actor didn't hide his enthusiasm for the upcoming horror flick. He recently sounded very confident while talking about the new film, calling it a nice throwback to Wes Craven’s original film. He said about the new film praying tribute to the original film:

Things seem to be looking up with this film, and the fact that actors like David Arquette were willing to return is a good sign. His recent comments may come as a sigh of relief for Scream fans. While some may still be skeptical, hopes are high that Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s love for Wes Craven’s work and horror will translate to the reboot. And in doing so, the new film will seemingly serve as a full-circle moment for the cast as well as audiences.

David Arquette wasn’t done revealing how the latest installment relates to the first movie. The actor, who already feels the film has the late director's approval, explained to IGN how the franchise’s history played into the sequel. He also talked about how the characters relate to one another:

With the movie still set in Woodsboro, the world should still feel familiar to longtime franchise devotees. The location is definitely part of the connection fans have to the 1996 flick. Later in the chat, the star also revealed how the cast and crew respected the work done on previous installments:

Hopefully, David Arquette's comments ring true when the movie is finally released. Fans – new and old – will be able to see how things pan out when Scream arrives in theaters on January 14, 2022.

For generations of moviegoers, Wes Craven was one of horror’s greatest masters. He shaped the genre for decades, blurring the lines between frights and laughs at times. Unfortunately, the world no longer has Craven to push horror in new and different directions. That's the case for the upcoming Scream 5, and not only have fans felt his absence but the film’s stars have as well. David Arquette has spoken about missing the director. However, it seems the latest installment might’ve had Craven’s blessing after all, based on Arquette's recent comments about the connection he felt to the director while filming it.

Wes Craven made a perfect choice when he picked David Arquette to play Dewey Riley, and the role ultimately helped change the course of Arquette’s career. With this in mind, Craven's absence on the set of the latest film was difficult for the actor. But after filming his first Scream film without Craven, Arquette explained that he could somehow still feel the director's presence as he worked. The star revealed to Entertainment Tonight about shooting the latest film:

One can definitely empathize with the actor's feelings about missing his former collaborator. But, at least, David Arquette could feel Wes Craven’s presence in some form. For Arquette, it had to be a comforting to get at least a hint of Craven's aura. And of course, the actor surely had plenty of fond memories of his late friend that likely help fuel the work of him and his co-stars. 

David Arquette previously explained that Wes Craven’s death hit him especially hard, because his mother was dying at the same time. He called the sad time “a dark period” for him. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that Craven was almost like a father figure to him. Arquette could've easily turned down a role in the new film, but he seemed to understand what it would mean to the fans and Craven's memory.

Scream 5 wrapped filming this past summer, and a trailer should be coming our way shortly. Wes Craven's legacy, and that of the franchise, will likely be honored in a fitting way, especially since franchise fans Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are at the helm. With Arquette, Courtney Cox and Neve Campbell returning for the fifth outing, there's plenty of reason to be confident that the film will be worth the wait. Of course, moviegoers will have to wait until Janunary 4, 2022 to see if Scream 5 lives up to previous installments.

As far as modern film franchises go, there are few quite as significant as Scream. As such, moviegoers were thrilled when it was announced that a fifth movie was coming, with the original trio of stars returning to reprise their roles. But fans are also dying for a trailer, although Scream 5’s director explained why the slasher hasn’t revealed any footage just yet.

The new Scream movie will mark the first installment not helmed by late horror icon Wes Craven. Ready or Not directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are taking on the mantle, and the latter filmmaker recently explained why crafting a trailer for Scream is such a difficult task. When speaking about the franchise’s notoriously high security, he said:

Point made. Trailers are notorious for spoiling the contents of movies, to the chagrin of fans. I’m looking at you Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. As such, it’s not going to be easy to create the marketing for the new Scream without revealing any of the movie’s kills.

Tyler Gillett’s comments to Scream news outlet Hello Sidney helps to show the pressure that comes with bringing such a beloved property back to the big screen. Fans like myself might be absolutely ravenous for any footage from the new movie, but it’s a complicated process. Although Scream is only a few months from theaters, so some footage arriving feels like an inevitability.

From the looks of things, Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin seem to be right on track for Scream’s release this January. The movie wrapped principal photography back in November, so there’s presumably been no rush during the post-production process. Now the movie’s theatrical cut has been completed, so now it’s just a waiting game before marketing begins.

Not much is known about the contents of Scream 5, but the highly anticipated horror movie will feature the return of Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette as Sidney,Gale, and Dewey respectively. The story will also bring us back to the infamous town of Woodsboro, and feature the return of Scream 4’s Marley Shelton as Judy Hicks.

As previously mentioned, the Scream franchise has always been known for its tight security. This allowed Wes Craven to actually surprise the public with who the killer was in each installment. That tradition will continue with the fifth movie, as the cast were given alternative versions of the script. As such, not even they’ll know who is under Ghostface’s mask.

Scream is currently set to arrive in theaters on January 14th, 2022. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

The horror genre has been in the midst of a renaissance for years now, to the delight of fans. In addition to exciting new concepts, this trend has also resulted in the revival of beloved properties like Halloween and Scream. The latter will return to theaters this coming January, and will feature the return of heroes like Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott. But will moviegoers have to see the previous four to enjoy the Scream 5? Luckily, the director has weighed in on this.

The new Scream movie marks the first time that an installment of the franchise was helmed by someone other than late horror icon Wes Craven. Ready or Not’s Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin are behind the camera, and the latter filmmaker recently addressed Scream 5’s connection to the previous installments. As he put it,

That was certainly honest. While being careful to actually keep the secrets of the next Scream under wraps, he makes it seem like the new installment will be accessible for newcomers. That said, fans like myself will be treated to more easter eggs and moments that those fresh faces won’t be able to appreciate.

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin’s comments come from an interview he and his Scream collaborators had with the fan outlet Hello Sidney. The fifth movie wrapped filming back in November, and the theatrical cut is seemingly close to being completed. And while we’ll catch-up with the beloved trio of original heroes, there will also be newcomers and a brand new story to entice casual fans.

As previously mentioned, Scream 5 will feature a number of returning faces. Fans were delighted to learn that Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette would all be reprising their roles in the new installment. Additionally, Marley Shelton will reprise her Scream 4 role as Judy Hicks. Some fans are also holding out hope to see Hayden Panettiere’s Kirby Reed, but there’s been no indication of her having a role.

Given how much the Scream franchise relies on surprises, there have been great lengths taken to guard the new movie’s secrets. This includes shooting multiple endings, and giving the cast different versions of the script. As such, not even the young stars who are making their debut in Scream 5 know for sure who the killer(s) is.

Scream is currently set to arrive in theaters on January 14th, 2022. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

The horror genre is in the midst of a thrilling renaissance, with plenty of acclaimed projects hitting theaters and making money at the box office. This has also resulted in a number of beloved properties being revived, including the highly anticipated fifth Scream movie. Now Scream 5 has taken a thrilling step forward, and Ghostface's return has never felt more real.

The fifth Scream movie, titled simply Scream, wrapped principal photography back in November of 2020. From then the extensive post production process began, with the generations of fans anxiously awaiting the first glimpse at favorites like Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox. It turns out that Scream 5 is now completed ahead of its release this winter. As director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin shared:

Buckle up moviegoers, because we’re really going back to Woodsboro. It looks like the new Scream is all finished, months ahead of its highly anticipated release. While its contents remain to be seen, the slasher has never felt more real than in this moment.

The above image comes to us from the Twitter of Scream director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin. He’s sharing the responsibility of helming the project with collaborator Tyler Gillett, with the two previously working on acclaimed horror flick Ready or Not. That duo is tasked with continuing Wes Craven’s legacy, as Scream 5 will mark the first sequel not helmed by the late horror legend.

In the image we can see the title screen of the new Scream movie, which will no doubt show after a grisly opening sequence. The franchise has always been known for its cold opens, starting with Drew Barrymore’s iconic sequence from the original. With the new sequel now completely finished, smart money says that the pair of directors were able to achieve their vision… whatever that might be.

Not much is known about the new Scream movie, except that the story would indeed be taking the original heroes back to Woodsboro. Fans were thrilled to see that the trio of Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette would be back-- as well as Marley Shelton reprising role from Scream 4 as Judy Hicks. Plus there will be a new cast of young talent, including a ton of familiar faces.

While the new Scream will break new ground without Wes Craven, it seems that Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett had a vision that properly honored the late filmmaker’s legacy. Neve Campbell herself said that was what convinced her to return as beloved final girl Sydney Prescott.

Scream is currently set to arrive in theaters January 14th, 2022. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Scream is coming back soon for the first time in over a decade, but it is bittersweet. The franchise’s original director, Wes Craven, passed away back in 2015, making the set of a Scream movie different than ever before. The fifth movie from the slasher franchise will reunite many of its original cast members and bring in a number of new names. According to one of its stars, the movie will also pay homage to the late filmmaker who ushered in the Scream movies.

Vida's Melissa Barrera, who also stars in this weekend’s In The Heights, spoke about Scream 5 ahead of its early 2022 release. Per her words, those who have been following the series are going to want to catch this one too:

The upcoming movie will star Courtney Cox as Gale Weathers, David Arquette as Dewey Riley and Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott. Scream 5 will also be written by the franchise’s original screenwriter, James Vanderbilt, along with the talent from 2019’s Ready Or Not, writer Guy Busick and directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.

Melissa Barrera is teasing some shared blood from the series that started it all, and it’s all on the knife. Scream 5 seems to be the kind of sequel you’d hope for. Although it will be the first time Wes Craven isn't involved, those on the project clearly love the franchise and want to return to make the late filmmaker proud and bring joy to fans.

The 30-year-old In The Heights star has her first major Hollywood role for the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical. She also talked to Variety about her experience working with the all-star cast:

It sounds like Melissa Barrera is a big Scream fan too, which always helps. As she shared, she was majorly geeking out on the set that includes Friends star Courtney Cox back in her famous horror role. Barrera won’t be the only new face in Scream, also joining the cast is Jenna Ortega, who will play the sister to Barrera’s character. Additionally, The Boys’ Jack Quaid, 13 Reasons Why’s Dylan Minnette and Love, Victor’s Mason Gooding have Scream roles.

Scream 5, which is reportedly simply called Scream, completed production late last year and is expected to come to theaters on January 14, 2022.

The horror genre has been flourishing for years, as a variety of new and exciting projects hit theaters. But horror was built on franchises, and some beloved properties have returned as a result of the genre's renaissance. The latest of these projects is the new Scream movie, which recently wrapped production. The movie marks the first installment since the death of Wes Craven, with Ready or Not directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett behind the camera. And the latter filmmaker recently explained how Jordan Peele's work influenced Scream 5.

Horror legend Wes Craven created properties like Scream and A Nightmare on Elm Street, so there are some very big shoes to fill for Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin. But their work on Ready or Not showed the filmmakers' ability to balance comedy and horror, and their love for Craven's work convinced Neve Campbell to reprise her role as Sidney Prescott. Gillett recently explained how Jordan's acclaimed work in the genre has also factored in, saying:

Well, this is intriguing. It looks like the directors of the fifth Scream movie are being influenced by beloved horror movies new and old. And when it comes to Jordan Peele's Oscar winning work in the genre with movies like Get Out and Us, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin is hoping to find a way to reflect on real-life issues with the upcoming slasher.

Tyler Gillett's comments to ComicBook offer a brief glimpse behind the curtain on the upcoming Scream movie. The project recently wrapped principal photography, with Gillett and his collaborator Matt Bettinelli-Olpin assembling a killer cast to bring the mysterious project to life. The story is being kept under wraps, but it looks like the filmmakers are going with the same meta and self-referential style as the previous four installments-- while also being influenced by the modern hits.

Jordan Peele's pair of horror flicks have both been critical and box office successes, especially Get Out. As Tyler Gillett mentions, Us had a specific visual style, which was able to entrance audiences and allow the movie to be a hit in 2019. The fifth Scream movie will hopefully have that same appeal, and be a fun movie experience for both hardcore fans and horror newbies.

The new Scream movie will feature the trio of original heroes in Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette while also featuring the return of Scream 4's Marley Shelton. The directors rounded out the cast with a slew of familiar faces including The Boys' Jack Quaid, 13 Reasons Why star Dylan Minnette, Jasmin Savoy Brown (The Leftovers), and Jenna Ortega (You).

Scream is currently expected to hit theaters January 14th, 2022. In the meantime, check out our 2021 release list to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.

The horror genre has been enjoying an exciting renaissance over the past few years, to the delight of fans. And as a result, plenty of beloved franchises have returned to theaters like Halloween. The latest of these projects heading down the line is the new Scream movie, which will reunite the original trio of heroes in Neve Campbell, David Arquette, and Courteney Cox. After wrapping, the latter actress penned a sweet tribute to the late horror legend Wes Craven.

The new Scream movie marks the first time an installment of the film franchise was directed by someone other than Wes Craven. The project will instead be helmed by Ready or Not filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, whose love for Craven's work helped win over returning stars like Neve Campbell. The late director is no doubt deeply missed by those returning actors, and Courteney Cox made her feelings known on social media, posting,

Wes Craven has a legacy for his work as a filmmaker, particular with innovation within the horror genre. He created iconic properties like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream, directing all four of the latter's previous installments. But Courteney Cox seems to believe that Scream 5 would have made him proud.

The above post comes to us from the personal Instagram of Courteney Cox. In it we can see Cox and Wes Craven embracing on the set of the original Scream movie. The actress is wearing one of Gal Weathers' signature colorful suits, a look that is being recreated for the upcoming sequel. It's a sweet peek behind the curtain, and one that further proves how much the original cast is missing Craven during their return to Woodsboro.

This isn't the first time that an original Scream cast member has made it known how much they miss Wes Craven's presence on set. While Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett have certainly proven themselves within the genre, the casts' relationship with the late filmmaker goes back decades. David Arquette recently admitted that he struggled with missing Craven, as he suits up as Dewey for the fifth time.

As for Neve Campbell, she was convinced to return to the role of Sidney Prescott after seeing how much Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett love Wes Craven's work on the Scream franchise. The new movie will no doubt honor that legacy in a variety of ways, with the property's penchant for meta references seemingly opening up the possibilities. Although there's no indication as to who Ghostface might be this time around.

Not much is known about the contents of Scream, although that simple title was confirmed along with its release date. As previously mentioned, the new sequel will feature the return of the original trio of heroes, as well as Marley Shelton as Judy Hicks. The cast is rounded out by a ton of familiar faces, including The Boys' Jack Quaid, 13 Reasons Why star Dylan Minnette, Jasmin Savoy Brown (The Leftovers), Jenna Ortega (You), and Melissa Barrera (Vida, In the Heights).

Scream 5 is currently expected to hit theaters January 14th, 2022. In the meantime, check out our 2021 release list to plan your trips to the movie next year.