There are seven Scream movies as of July 2026. The series begins with Scream in 1996 and currently ends with Scream 7, released on February 27, 2026. The Scream television series is separate and is not included in the movie count.
| No. | Movie | Release year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scream | 1996 |
| 2 | Scream 2 | 1997 |
| 3 | Scream 3 | 2000 |
| 4 | Scream 4 | 2011 |
| 5 | Scream | 2022 |
| 6 | Scream VI | 2023 |
| 7 | Scream 7 | 2026 |
All Scream movies in release order
The simplest way to watch the Scream movies is release order. It is also the main chronological order, since each film builds on earlier Ghostface attacks, survivor relationships and the public mythology created around the murders. The only confusing point is that the first and fifth films are both titled Scream.
1. Scream (1996)
The original Scream introduces Sidney Prescott, Gale Weathers, Dewey Riley and the Ghostface identity. A masked killer targets teenagers in Woodsboro while using horror-movie trivia and genre rules as part of the attacks. The film works as both a slasher mystery and a commentary on slasher movies.
This is the essential starting point. Later installments repeatedly refer to its murders, survivors and the Stab movies inspired by the Woodsboro case.
2. Scream 2 (1997)
Scream 2 follows Sidney to college, where a new Ghostface begins another killing spree. The sequel expands the central survivor group and asks whether a follow-up can escape the patterns of the original. It also increases the public spectacle surrounding the case through news coverage and the first Stab film.
Watch it immediately after the first movie because the emotional fallout and character relationships continue directly.
3. Scream 3 (2000)
Scream 3 moves much of the action to Hollywood, where a Ghostface killer targets people connected to the production of Stab 3. Sidney is living in seclusion, while Gale and Dewey investigate murders that connect the movie business to the history of the original Woodsboro attacks.
The third film closes the first trilogy and pushes the franchise’s self-awareness further by placing the mystery inside a fictional film production.
4. Scream 4 (2011)
Scream 4 returns Sidney to Woodsboro after she becomes an author. A new group of teenagers, including her cousin Jill Roberts, becomes involved when Ghostface begins another series of murders. The movie examines remake culture, internet fame and the pressure to create a new generation of victims and survivors.
Although it arrived more than a decade after Scream 3, it remains part of the same continuing story and features the original trio of Sidney, Gale and Dewey.
5. Scream (2022)
The fifth film is titled Scream rather than Scream 5. It introduces Sam and Tara Carpenter while bringing Sidney, Gale and Dewey back into the story. A new Ghostface targets people connected to the original Woodsboro murders, creating a bridge between the legacy characters and a younger group.
This title is the main reason some viewers miscount the series. It is not a remake of the 1996 movie and it is not the first film again. It is the fifth installment.
6. Scream VI (2023)
Scream VI takes the surviving younger characters to New York City, where Ghostface attacks them outside Woodsboro. The change of setting gives the movie larger public spaces, including a subway and a crowded city environment, while continuing the story from the 2022 film.
Sidney does not appear in this installment, but Gale and several newer survivors continue the franchise narrative.
7. Scream 7 (2026)
Scream 7 brings Sidney Prescott back as the central target. After she has built a quieter life with her family, a new Ghostface threatens her daughter and forces Sidney to confront the history she has tried to leave behind. Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original film, directed the seventh chapter.
Paramount released Scream 7 in theaters on February 27, 2026. The studio later reported that it crossed $200 million worldwide and became the highest-grossing installment in the franchise at that time.
What is the correct chronological order?
The chronological order is the same as the release order: Scream, Scream 2, Scream 3, Scream 4, Scream (2022), Scream VI and Scream 7. The story moves forward across the films rather than using prequels that need to be inserted earlier.
Watching in order matters because the identity of every Ghostface killer is a major reveal. Later movies discuss earlier killers and victims openly, so skipping ahead can spoil the mysteries of the previous films.
Does the Scream TV series count as a movie?
No. Scream: The TV Series is a separate television adaptation and does not increase the movie total. It uses the Scream name and slasher-mystery concept, but it is not one of the seven theatrical films listed above.
The television series also follows different continuity and characters for most of its run. You can watch it as an additional franchise entry, but it is not required to understand Sidney Prescott’s movie storyline.
Are Scream and Scary Movie the same franchise?
No. Scary Movie is a parody franchise that makes fun of Scream and other horror films. The similar title and Ghostface-inspired imagery can confuse new viewers, but Scary Movie does not count toward the seven Scream films.
The Scream movies are horror mysteries with satire, while the Scary Movie series is built primarily as broad comedy.
Where can you watch all seven Scream movies?
Paramount+ stated in June 2026 that all seven Scream movies were available on the service in the United States. Streaming catalogs change and vary by country, so check the movie page in your region before subscribing.
Netflix’s US release update for July 24, 2026, also listed Scream, Scream 2 and Scream 3. That makes the first trilogy an accessible weekend marathon for Netflix subscribers, even though the full seven-film collection may require another service.
Before starting a long streaming session, use our steps to fix Netflix buffering. You can also explore more horror choices in our list of the best Halloween movies and shows.
How long does a complete Scream marathon take?
A full seven-film marathon takes roughly 14 hours before breaks, depending on the exact version and platform runtime. Most viewers will have a better experience splitting the series into three blocks: the original trilogy, Scream 4 plus Scream (2022), and then Scream VI plus Scream 7.
This structure also reflects the franchise’s creative eras. The first three form an early trilogy, Scream 4 acts as a legacy return, and the last three introduce and develop a newer generation while bringing Sidney back for the seventh film.
Which Scream movie should a beginner watch first?
Start with Scream (1996). It establishes Ghostface, Sidney Prescott and the rules that every sequel references. Beginning with the 2022 movie may seem tempting because it has a newer cast, but it reveals important information about the original Woodsboro murders.
Viewers who only want one film should still choose the original. It works as a complete mystery on its own and provides the foundation for the franchise’s mixture of suspense, humor and horror commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are seven Scream movies including Scream 7.
Yes. Scream (2022) is the fifth movie even though its official title does not include the number 5.
Yes. Scream VI is the sixth film and was released in 2023.
It is strongly recommended. Later films reveal previous Ghostface identities, deaths and survivor histories.
As of July 25, 2026, the official sources used for this guide confirm seven released films. A future installment should not be counted until it is officially announced and released.