You scream, I scream, we all scream for… Scream. Wes Craven’s cult classic horror is celebrating its 30th anniversary in December, and it remains a popular Halloween movie choice among loyal fans and newcomers alike.
One of the defining teen slashers of 1996, it feels very much of its time. Whether it would have the same effect if made today is hard to say. There’s an argument that it might not meet the standards of modern horror, or that its teen storyline could make it a forgettable watch. Yet, 30 years later, it’s still drawing audiences in. So what keeps people coming back?
It’s clear that the popularity of the film left a positive impression on studio executives, with six films released since the original. Scream 7 was released in February this year. In the 30-year gap between the first and last instalments, the focus has remained Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Ghostface’s target throughout much of the franchise. The original appears to have been a talking point when developing the latest instalment, with AI used to create a deepfake of Stu Macher (Matthew Lilliard), one half of the original killing duo. It’s a reminder of how much horror has changed since 1996, but also how much the franchise relies on its past.
There is a stark difference in how the two films have been received, with the original Scream holding 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and Scream 7 on just 30% at the time of writing.
With the original, there seems to be much to like. Its cast, including Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, have remained returning favourites throughout much of the franchise. Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich’s characters are unmasked as the killers in a twist that changes how the audience views earlier events. Drew Barrymore also opens the film with its now-iconic first scene, setting the tone for the terror that follows.
But Scream isn’t just another slasher with a masked killer and jump scares. One of its biggest strengths is how it plays around with classic horror tropes. Through Randy (Jamie Kennedy), the film makes its own rules of horror part of the story, with characters discussing the conventions the audience expects to see. It keeps viewers guessing, while the whodunit style encourages them to question who they can trust.
The film is tense, gory and suspenseful, with jump scares thrown in for good measure. While some elements may feel dated, its self-awareness makes it stand out. Rather than simply following the slasher formula, it pokes fun at it while delivering the thrills for audiences. One viewer wrote online: “Nearly 30 years after its release, it remains a gripping and chillingly entertaining slasher from Craven.” Others have called it a “classic” with one viewer suggesting of the film is “still the beat of the franchise.”
The film’s legacy is clear from the sequels that have followed, but its popularity raises an interesting question: Would Scream have the same impact if audiences watched it for the first time today? Some of its teen drama and horror conventions may feel familiar after decades of films borrowing from the genre, but that familiarity is partly a result of the film’s own influence.
With its 30th anniversary approaching, cinemas are again including Scream in their Halloween watchlists. Whatever your horror preferences, Ghostface seems to awaken every year, gaining new audiences while building on his old following. Scream has become the very thing it once playfully dissected: a horror classic with rules, traditions and a loyal following of its own. While some elements remain rooted in 1996, audiences are still answering the call today.
