Scream Movies in Order and IMDb Scores

“What’s your favourite scary movie?” For many, the answer has to be Scream. Slick, satirical, and notable for its clever use of meta-commentary, Scream redefined the stale, predictable slasher-horror genre. The movie’s iconic Ghostface killer, self-aware leads, and memorable twist were an instant hit, leading to a blockbuster franchise that now spans three decades.

With the latest instalment ready to set hearts racing, there’s never been a better time to brush up on your Scream lore. Whether you need the Scream movie timeline explained or want to know which Scream movie has the highest IMDb ranking, read on – “It's a scream, a baby!”

Scream Movies In Order: Complete List By Release Date

If you’ve been trying to find out how many Scream movies are in the franchise and what order to watch them in, the good news is that there are now seven movies to keep you on the edge of your seat, and conveniently, these follow a chronological order by release date:

Scream (1996)

A year after the death of her mother, teen Sidney Prescott becomes the target of a horror-obsessed, mask-wearing killer. As Ghostface reigns terror over the town of Woodsboro, Sidney and her friends must learn the genre rules of horror movies in order to survive.

Scream 2 (1997)

In Scream 2, Sidney’s hopes of putting the past behind her are slashed as a copycat Ghostface starts a murderous spree at her new college. With the killer taking inspiration from a new movie based on the Woodsboro massacre, Sidney once again faces a scenario of reality blurring with fiction.

Scream 3 (2000)

The now reclusive Sidney is drawn out of hiding when the latest Ghostface killer starts targeting the cast of a movie based on her life. Now she must face not only another masked predator, but her own past too, as the truth about her mother finally comes to light.

Scream 4 (2011)

Fans had to wait over a decade for their next helping of Scream but were rewarded with a return to Woodsboro. In Scream 4, Sidney, now a successful author, returns to her hometown on a book tour, unleashing a new Ghostface era fuelled by social media and those hungry for fame.

Scream (2022)

After another ten-year hiatus, the Scream franchise returned with a fresh crop of Woodsboro teens, each with a connection to the original victims. Original characters help solve the case in a movie that wittily explores “requel” culture.

Scream VI (2023)

The sixth movie follows survivors Sam and Tara Carpenter as they leave Woodsboro for New York - but as Scream 2 taught us, you can’t run away from your past. With an urban backdrop and new levels of intensity, Scream VI is the most visceral and gory chapter to date.

Scream 7 (2026)

Now the mother of a teenage daughter, Sidney finds her small-town idyll under threat when the latest Ghostface makes an appearance. With a killer that harnesses modern technology, the classic horror tropes are no longer enough to keep Sidney and her family safe.

Scream Movies Ranked By IMDb

The Scream franchise is widely considered to be one of the most consistent and well-received in horror history. The first movie, written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Wes Craven, set the franchise's gold-standard “whodunnit” horror blueprint that subsequent movies built upon.

Let’s take a look at the Scream movies ranked from best to worst according to IMDb:

Scream (1996) - 7.4/10

Scream VI (2023) - 6.4/10

Scream 2 (1997) - 6.3/10

Scream (2022) - 6.3/10

Scream 4 (2011) - 6.2/10

Scream 7 (2026) – Unreleased at time of writing

Scream 3 (2000) - 5.7/10

Main Cast and Characters In The Scream Franchise

Memorable characters have been pivotal to Scream’s success. The legacy characters bring more than just comforting nostalgia - they serve as emotional anchors that give the movies depth, drive core themes, and offer the continuity that allows audiences to welcome new generation characters.

Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell)

The ultimate “final girl,” Sidney, undergoes an impressive character arc across the franchise, moving from a traumatised teen to a strategic survivor. While protagonists in earlier horror movies had been frustratingly incompetent in the face of danger, Sidney was a brave, pragmatic, and resourceful heroine.

Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox)

One of horror's favourite anti-heroes, the ruthless (and often reckless) journalist Gale Weathers reveals layer after layer as the movies unfurl, taking audiences on an unexpected journey and offering one of the franchise's most touching love stories.

Dewey Riley (David Arquette)

Cute, clumsy, but endlessly brave, Deputy Dewey brings warmth through his brotherly protection of Sidney and his softening of steely Gale Weathers. The unexpected hero, Dewey, becomes a mentor in later movies and remains unflinchingly loyal to Sidney to the end.

Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barerra) and Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega)

In Scream and Scream VI, new generation characters Sam and Tara Carpenter offer a clever link to the original Ghostface killer. Sam is revealed to be Billy Loomis/Ghostface's illegitimate daughter and struggles with an inherited darkness to protect her sister. Tara breaks the Scream convention by becoming the first to survive the movie’s opening scene, setting the tone for change in the franchise.

Ghostface (various)

Unlike other horror villains, Ghostface is a disguise adopted by a new killer in each Scream movie. Alongside the ominous black robe and gaping ghost mask, the Ghostface persona is known for psychological manipulation and a penchant for horror movie references.

Will There Be A New Scream Movie? Future Of The Franchise

With Ghostface back tormenting Sidney and her daughter Tatum in Scream 7, audiences are relishing their reunion with the Screamverse, but are there any plans for an eighth movie? Both writer Kevin Williamson and lead actor Neve Campbell are on board with another instalment, and while nothing is confirmed, Scream’s ability to reimagine horror through current trends and technologies makes future movies a real possibility.

Scream 7 is playing at your local VOX Cinema from March 17.

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