Stream & Scream: How to Watch the ‘Scream’ Franchise Before Scream 5 Slashes into Theaters


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One of the most critically acclaimed horror franchises makes its return to the big screen for the first time in over a decade when the Ghostface killer attacks in Scream (2022). The fifth installment in the slasher franchise will see the return of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) 25 years after the original murders in Woodsboro.

Since the release of the first Scream film in 1996, the franchise has become a pop culture phenomenon and spawned 4 sequels, a TV series, and countless parodies. The first 4 films grossed a combined $603 million against a $119 million budget.

Created by Kevin Williamson, the satirical-slasher series was inspired by a news story of a real-life serial killer. The first four films were directed by the “Master of Horror” Wes Craven and are notable for being meta, with the characters often pointing out horror movie tropes throughout the film.

The fifth film is a relaunch of the franchise and a direct sequel to 2011’s Scream 4. Campbell will be joined by franchise regulars Marley Shelton, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, and Roger L. Jackson, who are reprising their roles from previous films. Notably, Campbell, Cox, and Arquette have starred in all five films, while Roger L. Jackson has provided the voice for the various Ghostface killers. Melissa Barrera, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Dylan Minnette, and Jack Quaid are set to make their Scream debuts.

Due to Wes Craven’s passing in 2015, Scream (2022) will be the first movie in the franchise to not be directed by the legendary director. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett will handle directing duties and James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick are the writers of the re-launch.

Fans of the franchise can bundle and save by purchasing the Scream Collection, which includes the first 3 movies, for $17.99 on VUDU. 

Here’s how you can stream the Scream franchise before the fifth installment hits theaters on Friday, January 14.

Scream (1996)

The perfect combination of black comedy and a “whodunit” mystery, the first film in the Scream franchise went on to win many awards and has been cited as one of the best horror films ever made. Directed by Wes Craven, Scream follows high schooler Sidney Prescott, who becomes the target of Ghostface, a masked killer on Halloween night. Not only is the film notable for being funny and witty, but it holds its weight in violence that the slasher genre is known for.

 Where to Watch? Now streaming on Peacock Premium, & fuboTV. Available to rent for $2.99 on Google Play, & YouTube.

Scream 2 (1997)

Released less than a year after the first film, the sequel to Scream was well-received. The second film grossed only $683,362 less than the first movie, even with the short production turnaround, some critics rated it higher than the first. The film takes palace 2 years after the events of the first movie with Sidney and the survivors in college this time around.

Where to Watch? Now streaming on Peacock Premium, & fuboTV. Available to rent for $2.99 on Google Play, Prime Video, & YouTube.

Scream 3 (2000)

Set 3 years after the second film, originally, the third film was the conclusion of the franchise, and the tagline was “the most terrifying scream is the last.” The third film sees Ghostface killing the cast of Stab 3, which is a film within a film, adding to the meta-ness of the franchise. The third film is noteworthy because the horror elements take a backseat to the comedy, due to the scrutiny of violence in media at the time.

Where to Watch? Now streaming on Starz. Available to rent for $2.99 on Google Play, Prime Video, & YouTube.

Scream 4 (2011)

Stylized as SCRE4M, the meta slasher would be the last film that Wes Craven would direct in the series. Set on the 15th anniversary of the events from the original film, Sidney Prescott returns to Woodsboro, and Ghostface starts killing again. The fourth film is notable for its commentary on social media and internet fame.

The film featured an ensemble cast with David Arquette, Neve Campbell, and Courteney Cox returning and new arrivals, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Anthony Anderson, Alison Brie, Adam Brody, Rory Culkin, Marielle Jaffe, Erik Knudsen, Mary McDonnell, Marley Shelton, and Nico Tortorella making their franchise debuts.

Where to Watch?  Now streaming on fuboTV, & Showtime. Available to rent for $3.99 on Google Play, Prime Video, & YouTube.

Scream: The TV Series (2015 – 2019)

Scream went in a new direction when Jill Blotevogel, Dan Dworkin, Jay Beattie of MTV, and Brett Matthews of VH1 developed an anthology slasher series for TV. The series aired for three seasons with the third season (referred to as Scream: Resurrection) being a reboot of the show with new characters and set in a different town.

Where to Watch? Now streaming on Netflix.

Be sure to check out Scream when it arrives in theaters Friday, January 14.

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