Get ready to face your fears, because Ghostface is back—and this time, the stakes are higher than ever! But here’s where it gets controversial: Is the latest installment, Scream 7, a worthy addition to the franchise, or has the iconic slasher series lost its edge? Let’s dive into all seven Scream movies, ranked from worst to best, and find out.
Published on Feb. 28, 2026, 2:15 p.m. ET
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For 30 years, the Scream franchise has been the ultimate meta masterpiece, blending horror, humor, and self-awareness like no other. From Randy’s iconic rules for surviving a horror movie to the Stab franchise-within-a-franchise, and of course, the chilling presence of Ghostface, Scream has kept audiences guessing—and screaming—since 1996. Directed by the legendary Wes Craven, the original film introduced us to final girl Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), fearless reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), and lovable deputy Dewey Riley (David Arquette). Together, they set the stage for decades of twists, cameos, and heart-pounding kills.
Scream 7, now in theaters review here, sees Sidney once again facing off against her arch-nemesis, Ghostface. But this time, her teenage daughter Tatum (Isabel May) is in the crosshairs as the killer tracks Sidney to her quiet new hometown. With a fresh body count, a mix of familiar and new faces, and another shocking reveal under Ghostface’s mask, the question remains: does it live up to the legacy?
And this is the part most people miss: While the franchise has had its highs and lows, each installment adds something unique to the Scream universe. Let’s rank them all, starting with the least impressive.
7. Scream 3 (2000)
By the end of the first trilogy, Scream had become a quasi-parody of itself. Ghostface goes on a killing spree involving the cast of Stab 3, dragging Sidney back into the chaos. She’s forced to confront new revelations about her deceased mother and meet her half-brother—definitely not a heartwarming family reunion. While Craven’s final entry leaned too heavily into comedy, it felt underwhelming. However, the series needed a break to regroup and return stronger.
6. Scream 7 (2026)
Original Scream writer Kevin Williamson takes the helm for this latest installment, which finds Sidney living a quiet life in small-town Indiana—until Ghostface shows up, targeting her daughter Tatum. At 17, Tatum is the same age Sidney was when her ordeal began. The film incorporates AI and deepfake technology to heighten the tension, but dull supporting characters, a formulaic plot, and a lack of the franchise’s signature cleverness make it feel like a tired retread. Is this the end of the line for Scream, or does it just need a bold new direction?
5. Scream (2022)
Calling the fifth film simply Scream is confusing but fitting, as it serves as a franchise reboot. After Tara (Jenna Ortega) is attacked by Ghostface—who’s targeting those connected to Woodsboro’s dark past—her sister Sam (Melissa Barrera), boyfriend Richie (Jack Quaid), and a new crew team up with Sidney, Gale, and Dewey to stop the killer. While it explores the evolution of ‘elevated horror’ and introduces intriguing family dynamics, it lacks the originality and wit of the best Scream films.
4. Scream 2 (1997)
While the original’s cold-blooded opening with Drew Barrymore is iconic, the sequel’s theater scene with Jada Pinkett holds its own. This time, Sidney and the gang leave Woodsboro for college, where Sidney finds a less-murderous boyfriend (Jerry O’Connell) and, of course, Ghostface. The final reveal is a bit convoluted, but the introduction of the Stab films adds a clever meta layer.
3. Scream VI (2023)
If Jason can take Manhattan, why not Ghostface? The sixth installment follows Sam and Tara to New York City, where the killer continues his reign of terror. This entry delves into survivor trauma and gives the franchise a fresh urban setting. However, the absence of Sidney (due to Neve Campbell’s pay dispute details here) and a lackluster cast of suspects keep it from reaching its full potential.
2. Scream 4 (2011)
After the disappointing third film, Craven and the franchise regained their footing with a smart take on online celebrity and social media obsession. Set on the 15th anniversary of the Woodsboro murders, Sidney returns for a book tour, only to find Ghostface targeting a new generation, including her cousin Jill (Emma Roberts) and horror fan Kirby (Hayden Panettiere). The killer reveal is one of the best in the series—second only to...
1. Scream (1996)
The reason we’re seven films deep is because the original was a masterpiece of humor, horror, and clever storytelling. Craven and Williamson turned a simple phone call into a source of pure terror for Sidney, who’s targeted by Ghostface on the anniversary of her mother’s death. The film’s self-awareness set it apart from other slashers, appealing to both horror fans and those who prefer their scares with a side of wit. It’s the gold standard against which all sequels are measured.
Now it’s your turn: Which Scream movie is your favorite? Do you think the franchise should continue, or has it run its course? Let us know in the comments—and remember, don’t answer the phone!
