Scream movies in order: Chronological & release date

After a decade-long hiatus, Ghostface returned in 2022 to wreak havoc on the big screen. Now, another sequel, Scream 6 has landed, with the masked killer let loose on the streets of New York. Excitement for the franchise is at a peak once again.

All in total the six Scream films have made over $900 million at the box office, which basically guarantees a seventh Scream film is on the way. Scream 7 is in early development and expected to be out in late 2024 at the earliest. However, Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera are not returning for the next film, after taking on Ghostface in the last two entries in the series.

Whether you’re a fan looking to refresh your memory or a newcomer that wants to see what all the recent fuss is about – you may be wondering where is the best place to start. The Scream franchise tends to stay contemporary, and there are no confusing prequels. The only confusing part is the TV series – an optional bonus, but one that we quite enjoyed.

Here’s Pocket-lint’s order for the best way to watch the entire Scream universe. It’s chronological, but it’s also by release date. You can stream the most recent films and the TV series (Scream 4 through 6) on Paramount+, while the earlier films (Scream 1 through 3) are all available on Max.

There are spoilers below.

1 Scream

Rejuvenated the slasher genre

It might sound surprising now, but when the first Scream was released, the freshest horror films were just another round of Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street sequels. Wes Craven, famed for directing the original Nightmare on Elm Street, rejuvenated the slasher genre with Scream, thus giving birth to an iconic horror series for a modern audience.

The plot centers on Neve Campbell’s character, Sidney Prescott, who is being stalked by a masked killer targeting her and her high school peers. Scream skillfully blends traditional horror elements with a touch of self-referential humor. A key feature of the franchise is the suspense around the killer’s identity, which is kept secret until the final scenes.

2 Scream 2

Arriving just a year after the debut of the original, Scream 2 amplifies the self-referential movie commentary that contributed to the first film’s success. The sequel kicks off in a cinema where a couple is slain while watching Stab, a movie based on the events of the first Scream. The story then follows Sidney Prescott as she navigates college life while dealing with a new Ghostface killer imitator. Familiar faces like Courtney Cox, David Arquette, and Jamie Kennedy return to reprise their roles from the first installment.

Kevin Williamson, the writer behind the first Scream, penned the script for this sequel as well. Besides his work on three Scream movies, Williamson is known for scripting other iconic 90s horror films, including I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Faculty. Oh, he’s also the creator of Dawson’s Creek.

3 Scream 3

Least compelling entry in the series

Most would agree that Scream 3 is the least compelling entry in the series, yet it remains an entertaining film. This installment leans more toward comedy, in contrast to its predecessors, which are primarily horror films sprinkled with comedic elements.

Scream 3 once again centers on the fictional Stab movie series, this time unfolding largely within the film studios where a Stab sequel is being produced. When a new Ghostface killer starts targeting individuals linked to the original crimes, Sidney is drawn to Hollywood to confront this new menace. The film offers some standout scenes and genuine humor, but it’s also marked by a series of baffling choices that leave the audience perplexed.

4 Scream 4

Big gap between Scream 3 and 4

There was a big gap between Scream 3 and Scream 4 – coincidentally, the same amount of time passed between Scream 4 and 5, too. Scream 4 could be seen as somewhat of a reboot for the franchise. However, it still follows the same characters, and as you might expect, is absolutely loaded with meta-jokes about franchise reboots.

It’s a real return to form for the series and does a fantastic job of recreating the tone and the scares of the original; all while inserting some great new characters into the mix. The film is centered around Sidney being forced to return to Woodsboro when a new batch of Ghostface killings begin on the 15th anniversary of the original murders. This is the last film in the series that Wes Craven directs and Kevin Williamson writes.

5 Scream TV series

A bit of an outlier

The Scream TV series is a bit of an outlier, but if you’re a completionist, the events portrayed in the show take place after Scream 4 and before Scream 2022.

The show does not feature any of the characters from the movies and never even mentions the events of the Scream films or the in-universe Stab films that are referenced throughout the sequel films. That said, a lot of the elements that make the Scream movies great are present here, and it’s a fun watch. The first two seasons follow a group of teens being stalked in the fictional town of Lakewood by a new Ghostface killer.

The third season then switches to a new town where a Ghostface killer has targeted a high school football player.

6 Scream

‘Requel’ of the series

The 2022 “requel” of the series, intriguingly titled Scream just like the original film, continues the legacy as a sequel. It features the return of the original cast with Neve Campbell as Sidney, Courteney Cox as Gale, and David Arquette as Dewey, who join forces with a new group of teenagers.

Set a quarter-century after the first Scream, this fifth installment introduces a fresh cast of characters and serves as a sort of reset for the franchise. Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega play sisters from Woodsboro who find themselves at the center of new Ghostface killings, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the initial spree.

7 Scream 6

No Neve Campbell

The latest entrant into the Scream saga released exclusively in theaters in 2023 before making its way to Paramount+.

This film follows the journey of the four survivors, including Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega’s characters, Sara and Tara Carpenter. The narrative sees the Carpenters and their friends trying to start anew in New York City. However, their efforts to escape their past are thwarted as the Ghostface killer’s terror follows them, and a new murderer begins their spree. The urban backdrop of New York City offers a novel setting for the Scream franchise.

A significant change in this film is the absence of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, marking the first time in the series. However, Courteney Cox and David Arquette reprise their roles as Gale and Dewey. Additionally, Hayden Panettiere makes a comeback, reprising her role as Kirby Reed from Scream 4.

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