If you’re a fan of horror and love a good thrill, the Scream franchise has probably left a mark on you. Since its 1996 debut, Scream has reinvented horror, blending spine-tingling scares with memorable characters and a plotline that keeps audiences guessing. So, if you’re wondering about the best way to watch the Scream movies in order, we’ve got you covered. Paramount+ is the ultimate streaming destination for diving into this iconic series and witnessing how it reshaped horror for each generation.
Join us as we explore the ideal viewing order, reveal which films stand out, and consider which generation should catch up on this horror classic. Ready to scream?
How To Watch The Scream Movies In Order?
The release order is the best for watching Scream movies in order. Watching the Scream movies in order of release keeps the suspense and plot twists just as the creators intended.
Advertisement | Movies | Ghostface Killers |
|---|---|
| Scream (1996) | Billy Loomis & Stu Macher |
| Scream 2 (1997) | Debbie Loomis & Mickey Altieri |
| Scream 3 (2000) | Roman Bridger |
| Scream 4 (2011) | Jill Roberts & Charlie Walker |
| Scream (2022) | Richie Kirsch & Amber Freeman |
| Scream VI (2023) | Detective Bailey, Quinn Bailey, Ethan Bailey & Jason Carvey |
1. Scream (1996)
- Director: Wes Craven
- Cast: Drew Barrymore, Kevin Patrick Walls, David Booth, Carla Hatley, Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich
- Runtime: 111 minutes
- Release Date: December 20, 1996
Scream (1996) is a film in the horror genre that shows a high school girl, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), who is attacked by a masked man called Ghostface. The psycho derives a great deal of pleasure from horror films and uses what he learns from them to toy with his prey.
Sidney and her friends, together with a news reporter and local cop, scramble to identify the killer before getting him or her.
The cast of Scream 1996 brought this scary story to life. But why is Scream called Scream? The title gives a hint of fear and suspense in the movie, where every scream counts.
2. Scream 2 (1997)
- Director: Wes Craven
- Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Timothy Olyphant
- Runtime: 120 minutes
- Release Date: December 12, 1997
Scream 2 (1997) is the next chapter in the Scream series, following Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she tries to start fresh at college. After a while, when the new Ghostface killer emerges, Sidney’s life turns upside down once more. It comes back as she and her friends discover that everyone is vulnerable to the monster.
To your knowledge, there is also a scream series. However, the question arises, is the Scream series connected? Yes, each movie continues Sidney’s story and her battle with the Ghostface killers.
3. Scream 3 (2000)
- Director: Wes Craven
- Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox Arquette, David Arquette
- Runtime: 116 minutes
- Release Date: February 4, 2000
Scream 3 (2000), the third movie in the Scream series shows Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) feeling uncomfortable hiding her past. Still, she’s forced to hide it when a new Ghostface starts killing the people on the set of Stab 3. It is a movie based on actual murders.
This is where the real story begins. She learns that the killer, Roman Bridger, is her half-brother and is behind the events in the first film.
4. Scream 4 (2011)
- Director: Wes Craven
- Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Rory Culkin, Anthony Anderson, Alison Brie, Adam Brody, Marielle Jaffe
- Runtime: 111 minutes
- Release Date: April 15, 2011
In Scream 4 (2011), Sidney Prescott returns to Woodsboro after 15 years since the first Ghostface murders occurred. When Sidney arrives, a new Ghostface aims to copy the first killings.
The cast of Scream 4, includes stars from earlier movies and fresh faces like Emma Roberts and Hayden Panettiere. The franchise not only provides horror but also mocks the social media and recreates movies loved by teenagers at that time, then surprises by revealing that the new hero.
5. Scream (2022)
- Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
- Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Melissa Barrera, Jack Quaid, Mikey Madison, Jenna Ortega
- Runtime: 114 minutes
- Release Date: January 14, 2022
The fifth film, Scream (2022), introduces a new Ghostface killer in Woodsboro, 25 years after the earlier killings. This time, the killer focuses on a high school student, Tara Carpenter. Consequently, her sister Sam comes back to town.
Watching the Scream movies in order shows us how this story connects to the past, as Sam discovers that she’s the daughter of the first killer, Billy Loomis. The cast of Scream 5 is the best with all the characters.
So, is Scream 5 too scary? Not really, it is fine for 15+ year older kids. According to Rotten Tomatoes,
The film holds an approval rating of 76% based on 303 reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10. The Website’s consensus reads, “The fifth Scream finds the franchise working harder than ever to maintain its meta edge and succeeding surprisingly often.”
6. Scream VI (2023)
- Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
- Cast: Courteney Cox, Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Dermot Mulroney
- Runtime: 123 minutes
- Release Date: March 10, 2023
Scream VI (2023) takes the survivors of the last Ghostface attacks to New York City, where they hope to escape their past. But the Ghostface tracks them down to the big city, hence begins the second round of killings. The cast of Scream 6 includes both returning faces and new characters, as they try to uncover who’s behind the mask this time.
The movie continues Sam’s relationship with her father, Billy Loomis, the original killer, and fans ask whether other characters may return. Consider the Scream movies and how each new Ghostface adds new scenes to Sidney’s story with order and sequence.
You can also read my blog on Matthew Lillard Thinks The Scream Franchise Is In A “Good Place,” But That The Movies Got “Too Violent”.
Is There a Scream 7 Movie?
Not yet, but soon it’s coming. After creating so much buzz, the movie is in the shooting process and shall continue till late 2024. However, it has now been confirmed that Scream 7 will arrive on Friday, February 27, 2026.
For the new horror streamer wondering, how scary is Scream? You must know that this thing varies from person to person. But, it has some violence and disturbing content.
You might be interested in reading: Patrick Dempsey Says “There Has Been A Conversation About” ‘Scream 7’: “I’m Waiting On The Script”
Conclusion
Watching the Scream movies in order is the best way to see Sidney Prescott’s journey and all the twists and turns each new Ghostface brings. Every movie in the list above adds something new to the story, with scary moments that excite the fans.
Whether you’re watching it for the first time or re-watching, the Scream series shows why it’s still a favorite for so many. It’s a classic horror story with so much suspense and surprises that fans love.
If you love the horror genre you can also explore the 15 best horror movies like Sinister, Houses Of Horror: Secrets Of College Greek Life Season 1, and top horror TV shows that will keep you up all night.