What would the slasher subgenre today be without theScreamfranchise? Indeed, things would not be the same without this beloved horror film series, as it’s become a dominant player in the horror genre since its thrilling debut back in 1996. Created by the lateWes Cravenand screenwriterKevin Williamson, this franchise was game-changing and brilliant. It revitalized slashers and brought with it all new scares that continue to thrill audiences to this very day.
Undoubtedly, theScreamfranchise is an incredible mix of horror and humor. Each installment has its fans, and they’re mostly solid from start to finish. It’s a recognizable franchise that has so much that happens with every film. So, in honor of one of the greatest horror franchises,let’s look at ten things that happen in everyScreamfilm, from plot points and frequent character moments to iconic lines that appear in each one. So sit back and enjoy. These are ten things you can expect to see in all six films. Perhaps they’ll even make a reappearance in theupcoming seventh film early next year.
10Fakeout Deaths
It’s a common trope these days that a character initially appears to be dead in one scene only to come back near the end to reveal that they’ve survived. TheScreamfranchise has this trope appear in every installment.In fact, it’s kind of expected with each new one. Starting with the firstScream, audiences were shocked to see fan-favorite character Dewey Riley (David Arquette) appear to have a fatal wound from his fight with Ghostface, but in the end, he’s revealed to be alive and going to make it to the sequel.
Dewey has had the most brushes with death in this seriesuntil his heartbreaking demisein the fifth installment in 2022. But he’s not the only one. Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere), Judy Hicks (Marley Shelton), Chad (Mason Gooding), and Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) Meeks-Martin are just to name a few characters that had almost died at the hands of Ghostface, but proved to be much tougher than originally thought and made it all the way to the end. No doubt this trope will likely continue into the next sequel.
9Red Herrings
Who can you trust?
Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) from the firstScreamwarned us that “Everybody’s a suspect!” And he certainly wasn’t wrong, as hardly anyone can be trusted in this franchise. But not every suspect is guilty. That’s why it’s a franchise full of characters who are obvious choices to be the killers but are then revealed to be innocent.Red herring is what they’re called.
This series has seen plenty of red herrings, fromScream’s Mr. Prescott (Lawrence Hecht),Scream 2’s Cotton Weary (Liev Schreiber), andScream 3’s Detective Mark Kincaid (Patrick Dempsey), to name a few.Including red herrings heightens the paranoia and suspense in each film, as these characters are meant to throw off the audience and distract them from identifying the real killer before the finale. Interestingly, some of the killers initially started out as red herrings to mess with the audience but were revealed to be right all along, like Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) and Ethan Landry (Jack Champion).
8Rules of Horror
These rules may just save your life.
WhenScreamcame out in ‘96, it changed the game in a fascinating way by featuring characters in a horror setting who know many of the tropes and clichés when it comes to most horror movies. It’s a lot of fun to watch these characters as they constantly point outthe ridiculousness of some of these clichés, and some have even learned to survive a situation by avoiding them.
There’s always a wise character in these movies, usually a film buff like Randy or his niece Mindy, who knows how to survive or help others win the day by sticking to a strict set of rules. These rules often include: Don’t Say “I’ll Be Right Back.” The Killer Always Comes Back and Never Trust The Love Interest.These rules are often brought up and have been quite effective when facing the formidable Ghostface killer.It’s a part of this franchise that never gets old and is always enjoyable.
7One Last Scare
“They always come back.”
Having a last scare is often the way to go formost horror movies to end. TheScreamfranchise is no different. As Randy pointed out at the end of the first movie, “This is the part where the killer comes back for one last scare,” and since he said that,there’s always one killer who pops up for one last attack in these movies.
Starting with Billy after he was stabbed with an umbrella in the first ending, then with Ethan running up to Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Jenna Ortega) at the end ofScream VI, a killer has always come back for the last scare in theScreamfranchise.It’s predictable but certainly welcoming and proves these movies with one last big decent shocker before the credits roll.
6Killers Explaining Their Evil Plan
“Well, I don’t really believe in motives, Sid.”
One of the most infamous things that happens a lot in theScreammovies is having the killer(s) explain their motives and evil plan after their reveals. Honestly, this is one of the more ridiculous tropes to happen as it only leads to these overconfident killers losing their advantage over their last victims, usually Sidney Prescott (Never Campbell), and it leads to their deaths.
Of course,there has to be a reason why these Ghostface killers are doing what they’re doing, but they don’t have to go on long-winded speeches and talk so much when it would be more beneficial for them to just finish the job.But obviously, that would be too dark of an ending for this dark comedy franchise.
5"What’s your favorite scary movie?"
It’s the franchise’s most iconic line.
The Scream seriesis known for its legendaryquotes. Most of them are still referenced and brought up today. Butone line in particular has come to define the franchise and has become immortalized in the horror genre: “What’s your favorite scary movie?” First uttered by voice actorRoger L. Jacksonas the Ghostface voice in Scream’s opening, this iconic line has been said frequently throughout the series.
It’s mostly said by Ghostface over the phone, but other characters have often said it in certain situations.Just hearing it instantly makes one think of Ghostface and this beloved slasher franchise. It’sone of the greatest lines in horror historyand will always be associated with the name Scream.
4Phone Calls with the Killers
These phone calls can be deadly.
This franchise all started with a phone call between a victim and her would-be killer lurking right outside. SinceScream’s terrifying first openerhit the screens back in the ’90s, phone calls to the killer have happened so often throughout the series that it has become an essential part of each new installment.
The phone conversations with the killer have become a staple of theScreamfranchise.Every film features one of these tense talks, and they are certainly some of the most legendary parts of the whole series. From Casey Becker’s (Drew Barrymore) game with Ghostface in the first opening to Gal Weather’s (Courteney Cox) first-ever talk with the killer inScream VI, these moments are suspenseful and will always leave you on the edge of your seat.
3Opening Kills
What a bloody way to start off a movie.
Speaking ofScream’s opener, the opening kills/attacks are equally just as memorable.Audiences in 1996 were shocked and terrified to see Casey Becker meet a grizzly unexpected fate, especially since Drew Barrymore was the more well-established star at the time and featured in all the marketing. Since that first shocker, each new installment has started with one of these thrilling openers.
While not everyScreamopener is perfect, they’re definitely the right fit for each movie.They set up the tone and started these films off on a thrilling high note. But, of course, none of the sequels could top the legacy of the first opening kill, which has become a legendary moment that continues to leave an incredible mark asone of the most iconic scenes in horror history.
2The Killer Reveals
“Surprise Sidney.”
Of course, a major reason why audiences love and come back to this franchise is to see who’s behind the iconic Ghostface mask. Being a murder mystery series, theScreammovies are aboutwho is exactly going around committing these horrible murdersand why. In each installment, the climactic ending shows just who was behind that mask. Some of these reveals are certainly more shocking than others.
Killer reveals are an essential part of theScreamfranchise. Without them, it may not be so memorable or rewatchable. From the first killers, Billy Loomis and Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), to the present-day ones,the killer reveals are always a delight to see and may still even stun some viewers. Admittedly, we all have our opinions on whether some of these reveals were shocking or not, but they’re always fun to watch at the end of each film. Of course,Scream 7is going to have another epic killer reveal. Let’s just hope it’ll be quite unexpected.
1Horror Movie References
“You’ve seen one too many movies!”
Finally, the thing everyScreamfilm has in common is their love for referencing other iconic horror movies. Being a meta-dark comedy franchise,Screamis loaded with references, famous names, andtributes to other horror properties.
So many legendary horror films get referenced in this franchise, likePsycho,A Nightmare on Elm Street,Halloween, andThe Texas Chain Saw, just to name a few. Even the new installments reference more modern classics and subgenres like elevated horror and reboots. Overall, it’s this respect for other films that’s made Scream a love letter to horror.
