Every Scream Movie Ranked

With the Scream 7 movie confirmed, we’re here to attempt to rank the Scream movies from worst to best. Honestly, the Scream movies are painfully good, so this is a difficult rank to think up. But we’ve come up with a decent ranking by rewatching each movie, reading other opinions online, and carefully constructing a pros and cons list.

Of course, rankings are subject to your opinions and thoughts, so don’t be too harsh on us if you disagree. Now, let’s get into it!

6. SCREAM VI

Somehow, they decided to go back to numbering the Scream movies, so here we are with 6. This is the most recent release in the franchise and, without a doubt, the worst one. They manage to mess up everything that makes Scream lovable and fun. The characters are bland, the kills are forgettable, and Ghostface is not as enticing anymore.

Furthermore, Sidney doesn’t even have a cameo in the movie this time, set in New York City. The survivors from the previous movie are now the recurring characters, alongside Dewey and Gale Weathers. The Woodsboro killings follow them to NYC, so the characters and their hope for a fresh start seem far-fetched.

We’re interested to see how Scream 7 manages the events of Scream 6 and how they will continue with the storyline. Will it be a repeat of Scream 3, making it the last of the franchise? Or will they continue? I guess we’ll have to wait to find out.

5. SCREAM 2

For the sequel, they lean hard into the satire and try to be meta with the release of the Stab movies within the movie itself. The movie’s pacing is a little off, and the Ghostface motives are pretty rough and boring when you compare it to the other Ghostfaces of other movies.

This time, Sidney is off to college when the killings start again, and she is surrounded by paranoia and distrust. She has made some friends in college and yet another boyfriend, but now she finds it hard to care for any of them. One by one, they get killed. Everyone from the old killings resurfaces and gets hunted as well.

The drama rehearsal scene was pretty good and spooky, so we’ll give them points. The movie feels a little unfinished, especially regarding the killer’s motives and profiles, but it is still a decent movie that plays the part of a sequel pretty well.

4. SCREAM (2022)

It is a decent continuation with a darker tone that distances itself from the rest. But that does not make it a good thing. Aside from completely removing the number from the title and evoking a slew of confusion from fans everywhere, this 2022 version is a subpar effort to bring the franchise back to life.

Here we are, 25 years after the Woodsboro killings of Scream 4, where a new series of murders starts, the killer donning the Ghostface mask once again. This time, we have a new team of teenagers, but the legendary survivors – Sydney, Dewey, and Gale- also appear.

This is one last hurrah for the three legendary characters as the franchise evolves for the new set of characters. It’s an excellent throwback to the old times and a look forward into the future cause, of course, Ghostface’s killings do not end here.

3. SCREAM 3

Alright, a lot of people are divided on this one. Truthfully, it makes a good ending that ties up everyone’s stories nicely. The twist was also quite fun and believable. If you take this movie as the end of the Scream movies – which it was at the time – then it should rank higher. Hence, we’ve stuck it at the midpoint.

Sidney is now living in hiding after all the killings that surround her, but the killings start again after the premiere of a new Stab movie. This time, they leave pictures of her deceased mother and the body. We are brought into a new setting with a movie location replicating Woodsboro.

The host of new characters we get is a little less fun and borderline annoying, but the Ghostface reveal, and a throwback to the previous movies tie the movie together. It’s also a great nod to the last movie, when the characters learn from their mistakes.

2. SCREAM 4

The reboot is as unexpected as the new Ghostface reveal, but it is an excellent attempt at showcasing what Scream is good at – meta humor and fun kill setups. You can see the homage to the previous Scream movies in this one, from the fanaticism of horror movies to the characters and setting.

After all, it is set in Woodsboro once more as Sidney makes her way home for a book tour close to the anniversary of the first murders. This time, we have a host of new characters, notably Jill – her niece, and high school friends. The recurring cast is back, and the continuity is strong. We do get another cop reminiscent of Dewey this time, too.

The opening sequence does feel a little off-putting and confusing, but it introduces us to a new super-meta Scream movie. This Ghostface is also in line with the modern-day obsession with fame through the rise of online media. As usual, Scream explores a darker subject within its slasher realm.

1. SCREAM

Nothing will ever get past the original Scream. For most Scream fans, this one will always have a special place in their hearts. This movie rejuvenated the slasher-killer genre at the height of ’90s horror. We are introduced to a dynamic cast that seems to fit together like a glove, a killer with personality, and a movie that truly understands its audience.

Set in the small town of Woodsboro, a gruesome murder has occurred. We close in on Sidney Prescott and her friends as she gets stalked close to her mother’s death anniversary. One by one, they all meet a violent and unexpected death at the hands of Ghostface.

The first iteration of Scream has the best dialogue and best kill setups, which still stand the test of time. The first Ghostface still haunts and makes appearances in the new movies; that’s how iconic it is. Additionally, it’s a movie that first begins the whodunit-slasher-comedy that brings a serious topic to the surface – does violence in media influence the general public?