Scream movies in order
Scream Marathon

Page Last Modified:

9 December 2025

Most Recent Release:

Scream 7 - 2026

Total Runtime:

696 Minutes

Total Items:

7

Average User Score:

(6.7)

Scream movies in order

You're not alone. With six films, a slew of familiar faces, and a whirlwind of meta slasher chaos, finding the right order can be daunting. But fear not, we're here to guide you through the ultimate Scream movie marathon. Whether you're meeting Sidney Prescott for the first time or have been following the Ghostface killer since 1996, this viewing order promises maximum thrills, revelations, and nostalgia. So grab your popcorn, silence your phone (you know why), and get ready for a night filled with horror whodunits, voice changers, and franchise legacy drama.

696 Minutes 7 Movies
  1. Scream Backdrop 1
    Scream Movie 112 min. 1996
    A year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a masked killer who targets her and her friends by using scary movies as part of a deadly game.
    USER SCORE 7
  2. Scream 2 Backdrop 2
    Scream 2 Movie 120 min. 1997
    Two years after the Woodsboro murders, Sidney Prescott acclimates to college life while someone donning the Ghostface costume begins a new string of killings.
    USER SCORE 7
  3. Scream 3 Backdrop 3
    Scream 3 Movie 116 min. 2000
    As bodies begin dropping around the Hollywood set of STAB 3, the third film based on the gruesome Woodsboro killings, Sidney and other survivors are once again terrorized by another Ghostface killer.
    USER SCORE 6
  4. Scream 4 Backdrop 4
    Scream 4 Movie 111 min. 2011
    Ten years after the original Woodsboro murders, one of the survivors returns home to promote their new book about surviving trauma, only for a new Ghostface killer to emerge, targeting a new group of teens.
    USER SCORE 6
  5. Scream Backdrop 5
    Scream Movie 114 min. 2022
    Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past.
    USER SCORE 7
  6. Scream VI Backdrop 6
    Scream VI Movie 123 min. 2023
    Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter.
    USER SCORE 7
  7. Scream 7 Backdrop 7
    Scream 7 Movie 2026
    When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.
    USER SCORE -

Scream (1996)

This is where it all began. Scream 1996 revitalized the slasher genre, with Wes Craven at the helm and a script brimming with meta-commentary by Kevin Williamson. In the quiet town of Woodsboro, a group of teenagers is hunted by a masked killer obsessed with horror films. What makes this film brilliant is its self-aware style: characters know the "rules" of slashers, yet chaos ensues. Neve Campbell makes her iconic debut as Sidney Prescott, and alongside Dewey Riley (David Arquette) and Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), she forms the backbone of the franchise. The original Ghostface killer remains a mystery until the end, and the reveal? Simply chef’s kiss.

Scream 2 (1997)

Two years later and a few states away, the murders continue. Scream 2 shifts the action to a college campus, where Sidney tries to lead a normal life. Spoiler: it doesn't work out. This sequel ups the ante while staying true to its meta roots. Characters analyze sequels while living in one. The introduction of the in-universe Stab movies based on the events of the first film adds an extra layer of satire. The campus setting brings new characters, including Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) in top form, and new suspects at every turn. The college campus massacres and increased media frenzy make this a logical and thrilling follow-up.

Scream 3 (2000)

Scream 3 takes the franchise on a Hollywood detour. Literally. Sidney, Gale, and Dewey are drawn to the set of Stab 3, where another killer strikes. This film satirizes sequels and the film industry itself. Think fake blood, stunt doubles, and studio executives you’d rather not trust. While often seen as the weaker link, it's an essential part of the Scream timeline, with crucial revelations about Sidney’s past. And honestly? The meta-humor is razor-sharp. Skip this, and you miss not only important lore but also a hilariously incisive look at Hollywood's handling of horror.

Scream 4 (2011)

A decade later, Sidney returns to Woodsboro to promote her book, and yes Ghostface is back too. Scream 4 is a rebootquel ahead of its time: it plays with remakes, fan culture, and the rise of elevated horror. New faces like Jill Roberts (Emma Roberts) and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) inject fresh energy, while Gale and Dewey are now a married couple. The murders are more brutal, the technology more modern (think livestreams!), yet the slasher vibe remains nostalgic. This film bridges the original trilogy and the modern horror world making it essential for your binge.

Scream (2022)

Eleven years after part 4, Scream (2022) yes, again simply "Scream" marks the handover from Wes Craven to Spyglass Media Group and directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (known for Ready or Not). The film introduces a new group of teenagers in Woodsboro, including Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega), while legacy characters make their return. This is where the concept of a requel is fully realized: a new cast combined with old faces, and a Ghostface who feels more personal than ever. Once again, it's all about the mystery: who’s behind the mask this time?

Scream VI (2023)

The franchise leaves Woodsboro and lands in New York City. Scream VI is grand, chaotic, and claustrophobic all at once. The Carpenter sisters try to move on with their lives, but Ghostface has followed them to the city that never sleeps. New kills, new rules, and new suspects make this a heart-pounding addition. Pay close attention to the use of the Ghostface mask here it’s packed with symbolic layers that fans of the entire series will appreciate. With returning favorites like Kirby Reed and an ever-expanding cast (including Dermot Mulroney, Jack Quaid, and Samara Weaving), this film feels like the dawn of a new era.

Why this order works

While you could technically start with any installment, this chronological order maximizes the Scream franchise experience. It logically builds tension, allows character arcs to evolve naturally, and ensures you experience all Ghostface identity mysteries in the right context. Starting with Scream 1996, you witness how slasher rules are established and later subverted in the rebootquel horror phase. Plus, all callbacks, easter eggs, and legacy moments hit harder when you follow the timeline properly.

Tips for your Scream movie marathon

Want to do it right? Plan a themed night with friends. Think Ghostface masks, trivia rounds between films, and, of course, classic horror snacks (popcorn + red candy = instant slasher vibes). Silence your phone or switch to airplane mode for the ultimate throwback to 1996. And if someone calls asking, “What’s your favorite scary movie?” just hang up. Trust us.

For more binge inspiration, check out our other horror marathons or delve deeper into the work of Wes Craven, the man who reinvented the genre multiple times. Or discover more about how Kevin Williamson influenced not only Scream but also series like The Vampire Diaries and Dawson’s Creek.

The Scream movie marathon is more than just a viewing experience it's a journey through the history of horror, pop culture, and fandom. From the first iconic horror phone call to the modern urban massacres of Scream VI, this series continues to surprise, scare, and entertain us. So start your marathon and rediscover why we’re all a little afraid of a voice on the other end of the line.