The Most Popular Scream Movie, Ranked

Choose the movie you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 19, 2024 07:31
In the chill of an autumn evening, a group of friends gathers around, debating fervently. Each claims a different installment of the Scream series as the most thrilling, citing plot twists that kept them on edge and unveilings that left them agape. This common scenario among horror enthusiasts shows why a ranking of the most popular Scream movie could settle debates and guide new viewers. A regularly updated, live ranking influenced by fan votes can not only foster a greater community engagement but also provide a definitive guide to the series' best moments according to viewers' perspectives. As you cast your vote and see the real-time changes, you contribute to a collective assessment, crafting a list that reflects the voice of the broader audience.

What Is the Most Popular Scream Movie?

  1. 1
    88
    votes
    The original film that started the franchise is often considered the most popular due to its groundbreaking blend of horror and comedy, as well as its memorable characters and twist ending.
    Scream (1996) is a horror slasher film that follows the story of Sidney Prescott, a high school student who becomes the target of a mysterious killer known as Ghostface. As the body count starts to rise, Sidney and her friends must uncover the identity of the killer before it's too late. Mixing suspense, black comedy, and self-referential humor, Scream revitalized the slasher genre in the late 90s.
    • Release Date: December 20, 1996
    • Genre: Horror, Slasher
    • Director: Wes Craven
    • Writer: Kevin Williamson
    • Starring: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette
  2. 2
    12
    votes
    Scream 2 (1997)
    Studiocanal · Public domain

    Scream 2 (1997)

    Wes Craven
    This sequel was praised for its clever nods to horror movie sequels and its tense opening scene set in a movie theater.
    Scream 2 (1997) is a sequel to the popular horror film Scream (1996). It follows the story of Sidney Prescott, who is now a college student, as she becomes the target of a new Ghostface killer. Directed by Wes Craven, the movie combines elements of horror, mystery, and satire to deliver a thrilling and suspenseful experience.
    • Release Date: December 12, 1997
    • Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
    • Runtime: 120 minutes
    • Main Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette
    • Box Office: $172.4 million
  3. 3
    18
    votes
    Scream 4 (2011)
    Uploaded to Commons by Supernino, self created · Public domain
    Despite coming over a decade after the previous installment, Scream 4 was well-received for its meta-commentary on the state of horror movies in the 2010s and its fresh take on the franchise's traditional formula.
    Scream 4 (2011) is the fourth installment in the Scream franchise, a popular horror movie series known for its self-awareness and meta references. The film follows the story of Sidney Prescott, who returns to her hometown of Woodsboro, where a new Ghostface killer is targeting a new generation of potential victims.
    • Release Date: April 15, 2011
    • Running Time: 111 minutes
    • Genre: Horror, Mystery
    • Main Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette
    • Screenplay: Kevin Williamson
  4. 4
    15
    votes
    Scream 3 (2000)
    Studiocanal · Public domain

    Scream 3 (2000)

    Wes Craven
    While not as critically acclaimed as its predecessors, Scream 3 still has its fans thanks to its Hollywood setting and the return of some beloved characters.
    Scream 3 (2000) is a popular slasher film that serves as the third installment in the Scream film series. It was directed by Wes Craven and written by Ehren Kruger. The movie follows the story of Ghostface, a mysterious killer who targets the cast of the fictional Stab 3 film, which is based on the events of the previous films in the series.
    • Release Date: February 4, 2000
    • Running Time: 1 hour and 56 minutes
    • Genre: Horror, Mystery
    • MPAA Rating: R
    • Budget: $40 million
  5. 5
    13
    votes
    Scream: The TV Series (2015-2019)
    Scarce2 · Public domain
    Although technically not a movie, the Scream TV series brought the franchise to a new audience with its modernized take on the story and its own set of memorable characters.
    Scream: The TV Series is a horror television series based on the popular Scream movie franchise. It premiered in 2015 and concluded in 2019, spanning four seasons. The TV series follows a group of teenagers being targeted by a masked killer, known as the Ghostface, who mimics the iconic killings from the original Scream films.
    • Genre: Horror, Teen Drama
    • Original Network: MTV
    • Number of Seasons: 4
    • Number of Episodes: 30
    • Average Episode Runtime: 42 minutes
  6. 6
    8
    votes
    The upcoming fifth film in the franchise is already generating buzz thanks to the return of original cast members and promising early reviews.
    Scream (2022) is a slasher film and the fifth installment in the popular Scream franchise. It serves as both a sequel and a relaunch of the series. The movie follows a new generation of characters being terrorized by the iconic Ghostface killer. As they uncover the truth behind the mask, they must confront their own dark pasts to survive.
    • Release Date: January 14, 2022
    • Genre: Slasher
    • Running Time: Approximately 120 minutes
    • Main Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette
    • Screenplay: James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick
  7. 7
    9
    votes
    Another TV series entry, Resurrection was a reboot of the franchise that introduced new characters and a new storyline.
    Scream: Resurrection (2019) is the third installment in the Scream film series. It is a horror slasher film that follows a group of teenagers who become the targets of a killer wearing the iconic Ghostface mask. The movie focuses on their attempts to survive and uncover the identity of the masked murderer.
    • Release Date: July 8, 2019
    • Director: Queen Latifah
    • Writer: Brett Matthews
    • Genre: Horror, Slasher
    • Running Time: 90 minutes
  8. 8
    6
    votes
    While not a Scream movie, this parody film owes much of its success to the popularity of the Scream franchise and its ability to poke fun at horror movie tropes.
    Scary Movie (2000) is a horror comedy film that parodies popular horror movies, particularly the Scream franchise. It combines elements of satire, slapstick humor, and gross-out comedy to create a humorous take on the horror genre.
    • Release date: July 7, 2000
    • Running time: 88 minutes
    • Budget: $19 million
    • Box office: $278 million
    • Genre: Horror Comedy
  9. 9
    7
    votes

    Scary Movie 2 (2001)

    Keenen Ivory Wayans
    Similarly, the sequel to Scary Movie continued to lampoon horror movies in a way that appealed to fans of the Scream franchise.
    Scary Movie 2 (2001) is a horror comedy film that parodies popular horror movies, including the Scream franchise. It follows a group of college students who are invited to a haunted house where they encounter various supernatural and comedic situations.
    • Release Date: July 4, 2001
    • Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans
    • Writers: Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Alyson Fouse, Greg Grabianski, Dave Polsky, Michael Anthony Snowden
    • Genres: Comedy, Horror
    • Runtime: 83 minutes
  10. 10
    7
    votes
    Although not technically a Scream movie, this horror film directed by Scream creator Wes Craven is often seen as a precursor to the self-awareness and meta-commentary that would define the Scream franchise.
    Wes Craven's New Nightmare is a horror film released in 1994. It is a supernatural meta-slasher film and is the seventh installment in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. The movie takes a unique approach by blurring the lines between fiction and reality, as it centers around the fictional character Freddy Krueger crossing over into the real world and terrorizing the cast and crew of the original Nightmare on Elm Street film. It explores themes of fear, creativity, and the power of storytelling.
    • Release Year: 1994
    • Genre: Horror
    • Director: Wes Craven
    • Writer: Wes Craven
    • Starring: Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Miko Hughes

Missing your favorite movie?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular movie

  1. Box Office Performance
    Evaluate the financial success of each Scream movie, such as the national and international box office earnings, to gauge the popularity at the time of the release.
  2. Critical Reception
    Consider how the movies were received by critics, including average review scores and any awards or nominations they may have received. This can provide insight into the overall quality and perception of the films.
  3. Audience Reception
    Assess the opinions and reactions of the viewers. You can do this by taking into account user scores and reviews on movie review platforms like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
  4. Cultural Impact
    Determine if each movie had a lasting or significant influence on popular culture, such as recognizable quotes, memorable scenes, or parodies in other media. Higher cultural impact can generally be associated with greater popularity.
  5. Social Media and Online Discussions
    Look into discussions and mentions of the movies on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, as well as on forums, blogs, or websites. Higher levels of engagement would suggest a more popular film.
  6. DVD/Blu-ray Sales and Streaming Numbers
    Investigate the home video and streaming performance of each movie. High sales and streaming numbers can be indicative of a movie's sustained popularity over time.
  7. Legacy and Franchise Strength
    Evaluate the overall longevity and impact of the Scream franchise as a whole, taking into account spinoffs, sequels, re-releases, and any related media. This can help in understanding the popularity of each movie in comparison to others within the same franchise.
  8. Rewatchability
    Popular movies are often ones that fans want to watch multiple times. Gauge how well each Scream movie holds up to repeated viewings, considering its entertainment value and storytelling.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Scream movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1426 views
  • 181 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Film once every 24 hours. The rank of each Film is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular scream movie

Scream is a horror movie franchise that has been terrifying audiences since the 1990s. The first movie, released in 1996, was a huge hit and spawned three sequels. The franchise has become a cult classic and has a dedicated fan base. The movies follow the story of a group of teenagers who are targeted by a masked killer known as Ghostface. The killer is known for his gruesome murders and his ability to taunt his victims with phone calls and menacing messages. With each movie, the franchise has evolved and added new twists and turns to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The question of which Scream movie is the most popular is a hotly debated topic among fans. Let's take a closer look at each movie and see which one comes out on top.

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