Ghostface slashed into the horror scene in 1996 with Wes Craven’s original meta masterpiece. Now, 30 years later, Scream 7 has been released. It’s time to look back on the franchise and see where this new installment lands in the rankings. Seven films, and even three seasons of a TV show later, and you have a billion-dollar horror franchise. In many ways, Scream has become the exact thing it was making fun of in the first place.
Let’s find out which films stand out amongst the others.
1) Scream (1996)
Nothing will surpass the original Scream. The commentary made on the horror genre will never be as biting or refreshing as it was the first time around.
The original film was scary, funny, and thrilling. It was a perfect storm with Craven’s expert directing of Kevin Williamson’s satirical screenplay and several young actors giving career-defining performances.
Sidney Prescott, the ultimate final girl, had her beginnings in this film and was at her most relatable. Even the characters that died remain relevant to the entirety of the series. The killers and their reveal will never be topped.
For me, the best Scream film will always be the first due to its place in the culture and the sociohistorical context of the horror genre at the time of its release.
Subsequent sequels are just commenting in similar veins to the first by adding a new storytelling element to poke fun at.
2) Scream 4 (2011)
For me, it’s Scream 4, which has gotten the closest to ever reaching the highs of the original. This is because it has many of the same things that made the original pop during its era of horror.
The commentary in this film is just as relevant to the horror genre today as it was in 2011 during the peak of remakes.
Just as in the original, there is a great new cast of characters alongside the returning legends of the series. The cast is once again strong with interesting survivors and a fun killer motive.
This film features the only killer reveal, which rivals the shock of the first film. Unlike all the other films in the franchise, there is what I would call an epilogue.
Typically, a Scream film ends after the confrontation with the killer, but here we get an extended sequence in the hospital to end the film.
Scream 4 was also the first film in the series that I watched, as well as one of those first horror films that got me obsessed with the genre. There is simply no beating this sequel, and I even find the ugly filter to be nostalgic. It looks more interesting than some of the filters we see in modern films.
3) Scream (2022)
The reboot/sequel film is successful in many of the same ways as Scream 4. It successfully introduces new main characters while also having legacy characters support.
During this period of time in the horror genre, there is also more to comment on in meta-humorous ways. It seems that 10-15 years is a nice sweet spot for changes to progress in the genre.
This film marked the first time a Scream film was not directed by Craven, but it still felt like it had his spirit while also bringing in the touch of Radio Silence.
I appreciate the guts that this film had to have a significant character death, which gives the rest of the film a real sense of danger. The Carpenter sisters and Meeks-Martin twins, as the “Core Four,” were fresh new protagonists to root for in the series.
Radio Silence taking over the franchise was a smart creative choice because they honored the original’s legacy while also bringing something new.
4) Scream 2 (1997)
Out of all the films, this first sequel moves around my list the most. I think it’s great, but I just never know how to put it in relation to the other films.
Personally, it’s the sequel I rewatch the least, just because it’s not as memorable or exciting.
I hate that it killed off one of my favorite characters in the franchise and did it in a way that left them with no dignity.
The opening kill sequence of this film is one of, if not the best, in the entire series. I never understand the fans who place this in their top spot.
It feels like an epilogue to the first film, in my opinion. It’s more of an extension of the story we have already finished.
5) Scream VI (2023)
I love Scream VI because out of all the films, it takes the biggest risks in franchise history. However, it also features a predictable and annoying killer reveal.
Even though there is no Sidney in this film, we get to see the return of Kirby, who is a favorite character of mine in the series.
The move to New York City made for exciting set pieces and unique predicaments for the characters.
In the climax of the film, we get one of the series best set pieces as we see a large collection of Ghostface killer memorabilia.
We also see Sam Carpenter once again tapping into her homicidal instincts, making for a great final battle.
6) Scream 3 (2000)
My love for this film comes from the cast and its campy nature. The story is all over the place and messy.
It at times feels like a spoof of Scream, but this is by far the funniest film in the franchise. The film is also incredibly rewatchable.
Placing this film on a Hollywood set also makes it one of the most meta films of the series. This setting is something I would like to see again in the future.
Sidney’s character here is at her best, and we leave her off in a satisfying conclusion. I’m not sure if I could change this film if I were to, even though it’s a weak entry.
I simply love the characters and the sloppy story so much. I think trying to improve the film would, in a weird way, only make it worse.
7) Scream 7 (2026)
The latest installment in the franchise feels the most derivative and least interesting in the series’ history.
There is a dull killer reveal and lame new characters introduced, who you never care much about.
Sidney’s family is a nice addition to the series’ mythology, but there needs to be more expanded upon here.
There are positives, such as Sidney’s return to the series and a fun opening kill sequence. However, this seventh installment feels more Stab than it does Scream.
At this point in the long-running franchise, the story is getting dragged down by its own narrative tropes.
There are certain plot points we come to expect with these films. In my eyes, this has made it the very trope-filled thing it set out to make fun of.
Even though it’s my least favorite in the series, I still enjoy this world so much. So, I consider Scream 7 an enjoyable film.
HONORABLE MENTION – Scream (TV Series)
The Scream TV series is often the butt of many jokes by the fans, but it’s actually an underrated detour for the franchise.
There was a drought between Scream 4 (2011) and Scream (2022), so it was nice to have something tiding us over.
Strangely, the series followed the same characters for the first two seasons before having its own total reboot for the third season.
The show had weird rights issues where the first two seasons couldn’t use the iconic mask, but then in the third season, we see its return.
The series felt like a bloodier Pretty Little Liars with enough adult elements and teen elements that both could enjoy the show. It was also just as self-referential and meta as the films.
For the biggest Scream fans, we just appreciate having this nice little detour of an adventure to go on.
I still wish we had seen the Lakewood five get that third season instead of the rebooted standalone unconnected season. I do enjoy seeing a performance from Keke Palmer in the third season.
What’s next for the series?
Critically, Scream 7 had mixed reviews, but it has ended up being one of the most financially successful films of the franchise. Undoubtedly, we have not seen the last of Ghostface.
The question is, what does this mean for the story of a possible Scream 8?
Will we see it continuing with Sidney’s family, a return to the Carpenter sisters, Kirby hunting down a killer, or a combination of all these story elements?
Perhaps a long-running idea for the Ghostface killer will finally be used. I’m referring to the “Cult of Ghostface,” which was an idea for the third film, and it was semi-teased in Scream 7.
The original idea was to have Stu Macher leading a cult, but this can be redone to just be a general cult. Similar plot elements appeared in Scream VI. Unfortunately, this might only ever be a what-if scenario that is danced around in future films as well.
However, there is a blank canvas with several possibilities, and hopefully, some creative risks will be taken.
