Scary Movie marks a welcome return for the franchise under the guidance of the Wayans brothers, who set out to throw modern “woke” culture firmly into the trash. While Scary Movie certainly achieves that goal with barrels of laughs along the way, it’s not without its faults.
The film thrives on its rapid-fire parody style, focusing heavily on yet another Scream-inspired storyline. That’s somewhat disappointing, considering the original Scary Movie already followed that formula. While this installment parodies the recent Scream reboot, it’s hard to ignore just how much influence Ghostface still has over the narrative. Thankfully, it never becomes overly distracting from the deliberately loose and chaotic story that unfolds.
What I will start off by saying is that the introduction of Scary Movie usually sets the scene for what’s to come but on this occasion and despite an epic cameo this was certainly one of the weakest intros across all instalments so we certainly didn’t get off to the best of starts other than one gag about some pearls and a bird call scene that was rather amusing.
Many of the jokes outside of the films stuttering intro land exactly as you’d hope. Some are brilliantly executed and will undoubtedly ruffle a few feathers among certain audiences. However, as the film moves into its third act, a strange feeling begins to creep in. Several jokes start to feel recycled, while others revisit the same topics repeatedly—particularly racism—to the point where the script occasionally comes across as lazy rather than sharp.
I also noticed that several scenes featured prominently in the trailers appear to have been removed entirely from the final cut. There are definitely moments shown during the marketing campaign that never appear in the finished film. It’s a strange decision and one that left me wondering what ended up on the cutting-room floor. Despite this, Scary Movie still delivers a wildly unpredictable mix of hits and misses.
One minute, I’m laughing so hard that tears are streaming down my face. The next, I’m rolling my eyes because I’ve heard essentially the same joke just five minutes earlier. It’s this inconsistency that ultimately prevents the film from reaching its full potential.
That said, the Wayans brothers have delivered something genuinely special here, so don’t let this mixed review put you off seeing it. The film smartly incorporates countless winks and nods to a wide variety of horror movies, rewarding genre fans throughout its runtime. When the jokes hit, they hit hard. During my screening, the entire cinema was laughing together, creating that communal experience that only comedy can truly provide. In an era where audiences often seem divided or distracted, there’s something genuinely special about a packed theatre sharing laughter together.
One area where the marketing may have oversold things, however, is the film’s supposed offensiveness. Much of the promotional material doubled down on the idea that Scary Movie would be crossing every imaginable line. Personally, I didn’t find any of it particularly offensive. In fact, many of the jokes felt surprisingly tame considering how aggressively the film was marketed. If anything, I think certain topics could have been pushed much further.
Throughout the film, I often got the sense that some jokes had been softened or edited down. There were several moments where it felt as though the writers had a much sharper punchline in mind, only for it to be reined in somewhere along the production process. A little slap on the wrist by upper management maybe? Whether that’s true or not, the final product occasionally feels like it’s holding back. That’s unfortunate because the potential is there for this to have been the strongest entry in the entire franchise. Sadly, it never quite reaches those heights.
The returning cast members slip comfortably back into their iconic roles, with Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Shawn Wayans, and Marlon Wayans emerging as the undeniable stars of the show. Their chemistry remains one of the film’s greatest strengths, particularly the dynamic between Faris and Hall, which continues to be comedy gold. They create a genuine sense of nostalgia without relying entirely on past successes, making their scenes some of the film’s most consistently entertaining moments.
Unfortunately, the newer additions to the cast don’t leave the same impression. Their scenes often feel awkward and disconnected, as though they’re simply there to pad out the runtime rather than contribute meaningfully to the story. That’s especially disappointing when compared to Scary Movie 3 (Sorry Wayans, I know I just swore) which successfully introduced new lead characters who managed to stand on their own and become memorable parts of the franchise. Here, many of the newcomers feel more like unforgettable characters from an underwhelming Saturday Night Live sketch than fully realised additions to the Scary Movie universe but the cameos hit and hit wonderfully.
The strongest scenes almost always feature the original cast members. Perhaps that’s nostalgia talking, but those moments are where the film feels most confident and most enjoyable. Unfortunately, that momentum doesn’t carry through to the finale. The third act is an absolute mess. A funny mess, admittedly, but a mess nonetheless. From both a scripting and directorial standpoint, it struggles to maintain coherence, throwing so many ideas at the wall that very few are given enough room to breathe.
Even with its shortcomings, Scary Movie feels like the kind of movie audiences have been missing. It’s the sort of comedy designed to get people back into cinemas and laughing together again. The humour feels ripped straight from the early 2000s, and whether that’s a positive or a negative will largely depend on your personal taste. For me, it was refreshing to see a mainstream comedy willing to be silly, outrageous, and unapologetically ridiculous.
Visually, the film embraces the exaggerated style fans have come to expect from the franchise, balancing horror references, slapstick comedy, and self-aware humour. While it won’t convert viewers who have never enjoyed broad parody films, it succeeds in delivering exactly what its target audience wants: rapid-fire jokes, absurd situations, affectionate mockery of modern horror cinema, and plenty of satire aimed at contemporary political and social issues.
Overall, Scary Movie (2026) is a fun and energetic revival that recaptures much of the franchise’s original spirit. However, it never truly feels like a top-tier installment that can stand alongside the very best entries in the series. Instead, it feels more like a breath of fresh air—a reminder of why audiences fell in love with parody comedies in the first place, and proof that the Wayans brothers still understand what makes this franchise work.
Comedy is most definitely back—just with a few speed bumps along the way.
Finally, I want to give a huge shout-out to Paramount Pictures for inviting me to the premiere. The event featured photo opportunities, interactive video experiences, and even a Ghostface performer roaming around and interacting with guests throughout the evening. It was a fantastic event from start to finish, and I was genuinely proud to be a part of it. As always, my invitation had no influence on my opinion, and this review remains completely honest.
Our Rating
Summary
Scary Movie is going to be a success but it’s absolutely going to be a film that divides its viewers straight down the middle. Some will hate it, some will love it but I guarantee you at one point during the film that EVERYONE will laugh at it and that’s what it’s all about!
