Scream movies in order: The ultimate slasher binge guide

If you’re in the mood for a movie marathon that mixes blood, suspense, and a surprising amount of snarky humor, the Scream franchise is where you should turn.

Born in the mid-90s, the film didn’t just revive the slasher genre - it flipped it on its head. These movies know all the horror tropes, call them out, and then use them anyway just to mess with you.

What makes the franchise so addictive is its perfect blend of mystery and meta-commentary. You’re not just watching teens get chased by a masked killer; you’re playing detective, wondering which “friend” will turn out to be the knife-wielding maniac this time.

And because the killer changes in every film, there’s always that sense of paranoia. Trust no one...not even the charming best friend or the sweet new love interest!

Whether you’re revisiting the series or diving in for the first time, it’s worth watching the movies in order - not just by release year, but also by the in-universe timeline, since each entry builds on the events of the last.

So, below is your ultimate guide to bingeing the Scream films in the right sequence, complete with what makes each one worth watching...beyond the creative kills, of course.

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How to watch the Scream movies in order - Full ghostface timeline

1) Scream (1996)

The one that started it all - and honestly, still the gold standard for self-aware slashers. Wes Craven’s Scream redefined horror by letting its characters know they were in a horror movie.

Sidney Prescott, our sharp and determined final girl, faces off against Ghostface for the first time after a series of brutal killings shake the quiet town of Woodsboro.

The genius here lies in the mix of horror and humor - characters openly reference Halloween, Friday the 13th, and other classics while also falling victim to the very clichés they mock. And that opening sequence with Drew Barrymore is still one of the most shocking and iconic starts to a horror movie ever.

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2) Scream 2 (1997)

Set the following year at Windsor College after the Woodsboro murders, Sidney is now in college, trying to move on - but because it’s a horror sequel, her peace doesn’t last long. The new killings coincide with the release of Stab, a movie within a movie based on the events of the first part.

The meta layers here get even thicker; Scream 2 pokes fun at sequel rules - bigger body counts, more elaborate death scenes, and the idea that no one is safe, not even main characters.

The college setting gives the story fresh ground to cover, and the pacing keeps you hooked as Ghostface toys with Sidney all over again.

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3) Scream 3 (2000)

This time, Sidney is in near-isolation, working a crisis hotline under a fake name, while Hollywood churns out yet another Stab sequel. Naturally, Ghostface sees this as the perfect time to make a comeback.

The film takes place largely on the set of Stab 3, and the meta commentary shifts to trilogies - how they wrap things up, retcon past events, and sometimes overcomplicate the plot.

While it’s the most over-the-top of the original trilogy, Scream 3 still has its charm, especially in how it explores Sidney’s past and family secrets.

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4) Scream 4 (2011)

After more than a decade away, Wes Craven returned with a modern update. Set on the 15th anniversary of the original murders, Sidney comes back to Woodsboro on a book tour, only to find that the killings have started again...only this time, the rules have shifted for the YouTube generation.

Here, Ghostface isn’t just killing for revenge or drama; the killer’s motives are rooted in chasing fame. The film gleefully mocks remakes and reboots, throwing in unexpected twists and taking aim at the rise of internet celebrity culture.

It’s a clever reminder that Scream was always a step ahead in satirizing whatever horror trend was dominating the moment.

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5) Scream (2022)

Also known as Scream 5, this one isn’t just a sequel; it’s what the film itself calls a “requel” - that’s part reboot, part sequel, designed to pass the torch to a new cast while keeping the legacy characters around.

Set 25 years after the original, Ghostface returns to Woodsboro with a whole new set of victims - and connections to the original survivors. The rules now focus on fan culture, toxic online fandoms, and how franchises keep themselves alive decades later.

It’s brutal, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt in how it handles the return of Sidney, Dewey, and Gale. Also, spoiler alert...this entry also delivers one of the franchise’s most emotional gut punches - longtime fan favorite Dewey is killed by Ghostface, marking the end of his 25-year run in the series.

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6) Scream VI (2023)

For the first time, the action moves out of Woodsboro and into the chaos of New York City - Sidney sits this one out, but Gale and new fan-favorites Sam and Tara take center stage. A new Ghostface is on the loose, and the kills are more public, more daring, and more unpredictable than ever.

The big city setting adds a whole new layer of tension - Ghostface could be anywhere in a crowd, and you can’t just “run into the woods” anymore. The film also leans into legacy in a fresh way, connecting back to earlier killers and exploring how surviving Ghostface changes people.

It’s fast-paced, bloody, and feels like a fitting next chapter.

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7) Upcoming: Scream VII

Scream VII is officially in development with a planned February 27, 2026 release date and Kevin Williamson stepping in as director. While the plot is under wraps, fans are already speculating whether Sidney will return and how the series will top its New York City chapter.

The Scream formula has always been to keep audiences guessing - so whatever’s coming next, expect it to twist the rules all over again!

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Best way to watch the Scream movies in order

Honestly, the easiest way is just to watch them the way everyone else did when they first came out - it keeps things simple, and you get to see the franchise grow and get weirder over time.

So you start with the original Scream from ’96, the one that introduced Sidney, Gale, Dewey, and of course, Ghostface. Then you slide into Scream 2, which throws the action onto a college campus - same vibe, but somehow bigger, and the body count climbs.

After that, it’s Scream 3, and here’s where things go Hollywood...literally. The meta stuff gets dialed up, and you’ll see the series start poking at itself even more. Skip ahead about a decade, and you hit Scream 4, which drags the story into the age of smartphones and online fame.

Then there’s Scream from 2022, which feels like a mash-up of sequel and reboot. And finally, Scream VI, where they ditch Woodsboro and drop Ghostface into New York City, which somehow makes things even more tense. Watch them in that order, and you’ll get the whole arc without any head-scratching over timelines.

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Why the Scream marathon still works

Some horror series run out of tricks after a sequel or two, but Scream has a knack for staying one step ahead. The faces under the Ghostface mask keep changing, the “rules” evolve with the times, and yet it still feels like the same sharp-witted, blood-soaked game we signed up for in the ’90s.

Seeing the movies back-to-back makes the little connections pop - a throwaway line in one film suddenly pays off in another, or a subtle nod reminds you of an earlier scare. Even if you know who the killer is, there’s a real pleasure in watching the puzzle pieces fall into place again.

And let’s be honest - part of the fun is yelling “Don’t go in there!” at the screen while knowing full well they’re going in there.

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Conclusion

The Scream films aren’t just slashers, they’re a long-running inside joke between the filmmakers and the audience. Watching them in order is like flipping through a bloody, sarcastic scrapbook of horror trends. Just remember: in this world, trust is a luxury...and anyone could be behind the mask!