The Scream movies are a classic slasher series, and honestly, they’re my favorite. I usually prefer comedies, especially Adam Sandler films and romantic comedies, but my wife and I watch the Scream series together every year. This year felt extra special because of the upcoming release of Scream 7. I enjoy all of the movies, even with their imperfections, so trying to rank them from best to worst is difficult. Think of this more as a list of movies that are all good, and sorting them is a real challenge!
The toughest part now is waiting about ten days for Scream 7 to come out. The movie brings the focus back to Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), who’s trying to enjoy a peaceful life in Pine Grove, Indiana. But her daughter, Tatum, becomes the new target of Ghostface, and Sidney is forced to confront her past all over again. It’s clear that whenever a Scream movie centers on Sidney, it always revisits her difficult history. With Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) appearing in Scream 7, I’m really looking forward to seeing how everything connects and comes full circle.
I was really hoping Scream 7 would continue a compelling storyline started with the Carpenter sisters (Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega) in Scream 5 and Scream 6. I particularly liked the idea of Billy Loomis’s daughter being influenced by visions of him and gradually becoming a killer. Actor Skeet Ulrich even told Entertainment Weekly that there was a plan for Billy Loomis to have a three-movie arc, slowly turning his daughter into the villain. Unfortunately, those plans changed due to recent developments.
Loadout Logic
Tap on a weapon to rotate it or press R while dragging.
Results
Recent developments have led to actors Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera leaving the upcoming Scream 7. Barrera was fired due to controversial social media posts regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, and Ortega departed because of issues with the film’s production and to stand in solidarity with Barrera. The director, Christopher Landon, also left the project. This means the planned trilogy won’t happen, which is disappointing. Despite all the behind-the-scenes problems, there’s still a lot of enthusiasm for the Scream franchise – enough to inspire a re-watch and ranking of the existing six films.
Scream 2
While Scream 2 isn’t a bad film, it definitely suffers from being compared to the first Scream. The cast isn’t as strong, and it’s pretty easy to figure out who’s behind the Ghostface mask. However, it’s not without its good points. Randy’s death is genuinely shocking and remains one of the most impactful moments in the series. Also, the relationship between Dewey and Gale Weathers hadn’t become predictable yet – though we enjoy their back-and-forth later on, it’s more compelling in this earlier installment. Ultimately, Scream 2 is a decent movie, but it’s simply outshined by the stronger films in the franchise.
Scream 3
What I like most about Scream 3 is its clever parody of both movie trilogies and the typical Hollywood scandals. While it’s one of the funnier installments in the series, it doesn’t skimp on the scary violence. The running gag with Gale Weathers and the actor is amusing, but the movie prioritizes humor a bit too much compared to the usual Scream formula. It definitely feels like a product of the early 2000s, but it falls short of the other films due to less compelling characters, a slow middle section, a fairly average ending, and a less memorable Ghostface. Overall, it’s not as strong as the previous entries.
Scream 6 emphasized that Roman Bridger, the Ghostface from Scream 3, was the only killer in the series to act completely alone. This makes his character stand out, but it also feels like a hint at future stories. Given that Scream 7 is likely to revisit past events and Scott Foley might be involved, it wouldn’t be surprising if Roman Bridger’s unique status is explored again.
Scream 4
Wes Craven’s last Scream film is particularly impactful, and exceptionally well-made. It cleverly pokes fun at the trend of slasher film remakes—which is ironic, considering it is a remake itself. The film also smartly incorporates internet culture into its self-aware horror style. The supporting characters are a major improvement over most of the previous installments (though the first film was strong), and we’re introduced to the fantastic character of Kirby, played by Hayden Panettiere. Returning to Woodsboro felt a bit complicated, but it was a necessary move for the story. Overall, this Scream movie really captures what the series can be at its best, with just one minor issue. Jill Roberts is a compelling Ghostface killer, and her motivations and connection to Sidney Prescott are brilliantly done – she completely outshines Charlie Walker. While this dynamic might have been intentional, it doesn’t quite recapture the same magic as the relationship between Billy and Stu.
Scream (2022)
I consider the recent Scream films – specifically Scream (2022) and Scream 6 – to be among the best in the series, easily ranking in my top three. Scream (2022) really revitalized the franchise, successfully capturing everything I enjoy about slasher movies. Its self-aware commentary is particularly strong – like when Dewey immediately suspects Richie – and introducing Mindy and Chad, Randy’s niece and nephew, gave us a much more compelling supporting cast. While making them central characters in Scream 6 felt a little over-the-top, it was still effectively done.
Dewey’s death is a powerful moment, especially considering his return to defeat Ghostface, even though it’s heartbreaking to see a beloved character go. Aside from Billy and Stu, Richie and Amber are my favorite Ghostface killers – Richie is particularly good at playing the unsuspecting boyfriend. I recently started watching The Boys and really enjoy Jack Quaid’s work, which definitely influences my opinion. Overall, I don’t have any major criticisms of the movie. The way the Carpenter sisters are lured to Stu Macher’s house using the inhaler feels a bit contrived, but the fact that it is the original Stu Macher house makes up for it.
Scream 6
Scream 6 picks up the story of the Carpenter sisters, focusing on Sam’s ongoing battle with visions of her father and the fallout from the events in Woodsboro. I found these themes particularly impactful. The movie also boasts a really creative opening kill – it felt fresh while still honoring what makes the Scream series great. The main four characters, along with the new character ‘Cute Boy,’ are well-developed, although the rest of the supporting cast isn’t quite as strong.
Predicting who the Ghostface killers would be in this installment was surprisingly difficult, which I enjoyed. While the film’s self-awareness wasn’t its strongest point – the Scream series had already established that trope by this point – it’s easily forgiven because of the best killer reveal in the entire franchise. I suspected it would be either Kirby or Detective Bailey, but the choice to have three killers playing on the ‘quiet kid’ stereotype, combined with a fake-out death reveal, was a really clever and fun moment. Honestly, sometimes I think the 2022 Scream is better overall, but Scream 6‘s killers – who they are, why they did it, and how we find out – are the best in the series and ultimately make it stand out.
Also, the fact that Sam was taking on her father’s identity created a really compelling foundation for what Scream 7 could have been.
Scream (1996)
For those who truly love the series, the original Scream remains the best. It established everything that followed – the core concept, the rules, and a clever sense of humor within the slasher genre. It was a hit when it came out in 1996, and it still holds up today. It’s hard to imagine any sequel surpassing it, simply because it did so much foundational work for the entire franchise. Many fans agree that Billy Loomis and Stu Macher were the most memorable Ghostface killers, and the line “I’m feeling woozy here” is still often quoted. The potential return of Stu Macher, even in a small role, is one of the most exciting parts of the upcoming Scream 7. Ultimately, the original film is so strong that it’s often difficult to fairly compare other Scream movies to it, which is why Scream 2, while good, doesn’t quite reach its potential.
Read More
- Mewgenics Tink Guide (All Upgrades and Rewards)
- Top 8 UFC 5 Perks Every Fighter Should Use
- One Piece Chapter 1174 Preview: Luffy And Loki Vs Imu
- How to Play REANIMAL Co-Op With Friend’s Pass (Local & Online Crossplay)
- How to Discover the Identity of the Royal Robber in The Sims 4
- How to Unlock the Mines in Cookie Run: Kingdom
- Sega Declares $200 Million Write-Off
- Full Mewgenics Soundtrack (Complete Songs List)
- Starsand Island: Treasure Chest Map
- All 100 Substory Locations in Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
2026-02-17 20:45