Scream ranked:

Scream is my favourite horror movie of all time. It is a revolutionary entry into the slasher genre and has impacted cinema massively since. Even if you have not seen Scream, you know Ghostface, you probably know the line ‘what’s your favourite scary movie’ or you know the rules of surviving a horror movie. The meta concept as well as the humour really help this concept stand out and the series has been very good at remaining ahead of the curve, remaining relevant and fresh despite being on the sixth entry to the franchise. The impact on modern pop culture is huge, films such as Cabin in the Woods and Get Out have been influenced by Scream and the first film still holds up to this day. I recently had a week off and a shameful realisation I had not actually seen that many of the Scream series entries. So, I took it upon myself to fix this misstep and as such, I present the definitive ranking of the entire franchise, enjoy!

Scream 3:

Unfortunately, this is the worst entry into the series. I would still say it is worth a watch and does have some redeeming qualities to it, but overall, it feels a bit lost in its direction and the killer reveal really does not have the impact of some of the others. This is maybe Scream at its most meta, the film literally takes place on a movie set of a film that has been made based on the events of the first film. The nod to the problems with script leaks that plagued Scream 2 is a funny Easter egg and the chase scene on the half-constructed studio lot really works as a great set piece. Furthermore, Parker Posey steals every scene she is in and her partnership with Courtney Cox’s Gale Weathers is a comedy dream team. However, this might be the least impactful and most disappointing of all the Ghostface’s, the ending does not seem to fit, and the big reveal does not really have much impact. It is a shame because the sub story about the abuse in Hollywood from studio executives to vulnerable young actors is a surprisingly bold take for the 90s in light of Me Too, but it feels brushed under the rug for a lot less interesting plot. It is a shame because the scaler of a Hollywood studio lot and the possibilities that come wit that could have made this film great, instead the franchise comes across as tired by this entry and needed the break.

Scream 2:

My feeling on this film is very mixed. On one hand I think it is a great continuation of the tone of the franchise, the references to the concept of the sequel is funny and fitting with the tone of scream (if a little on the nose at times) and there are some interesting kill sequences in this. However, the ending feels rushed and whilst it is certainly not a bad film, I am in no rush to come back to this one in comparison to the others. Whilst not bad, the biggest crime this entry commits is being forgettable with a confusing ending. This is partially down to script leaks so I can cut it some slack, but I am in no rush to re-watch.

Scream 6:

The latest entry in the franchise and potentially the most different of all the entries in this list. This is partly down to the move to New York and the new cast, this is the first Scream film without Neve Campbell and the film does a great job in moving the focus of the series to this new generation whilst keeping to what people love about Scream. The fake out opening is fantastic and is a great example of the writers keeping the series fresh. This is also Ghostface at their most brutal, I have never seen a Ghostface kill random civilians so brutally and it really does increase the fear factor surrounding this generation of the killer. The weathered mask just adds to this vibe. The move to New York provides great opportunities for new set pieces and the writers and directors certainly delivered. The Bodega and Subway scenes are nail bitingly tense, and some of the best in all the films. I am still not fully convinced by the killer reveal but I did not hate it, so as complaints go, I’ll take it all day long. This entry really feels like a new dawn, and I am so excited to see where they go next with it.

Scream 5:

The dreaded requel, the rebirth of a franchise using a legacy character to bring in the new generation. So many franchises have tried this and failed miserably, Indiana Jones I am looking at you. Scream’s self-aware nature makes it perfect for this situation as it can acknowledge flaws with this concept and avoid them. This is the perfect blend of old and new and is the start of the Scream films dialling up the gore considerably. The new cast are likeable and are the closest the extended cast has been in strength to the first film. The killers are great with a believable story and the homages tie in perfectly to the plot without feeling forced for crowd service (the meta-ness does help find lace for these moments to be fair). All in all, a fresh and enjoyable development in the Scream saga.

Scream 4:

I surprised myself when I got to this film in the marathon. I really enjoyed this film; a lot more than I remember first time round. The colour pallet is a lot more washed out and bleak, the tone is a lot less jovial, sounds weird for a horror film but the tone shift is noticeable here. The focus has not yet shifted from the main characters but the bridge between the new generation and the classics creates a really fun dynamic that helps add something fresh to the story. The new cast of teenagers do a great job taking over the mantle. That said, the development of the core cast is interesting to see and the differences with the next generation makes for great viewing. The gore is turned up an extra notch and adds an interesting shift in the series. This development is handled with so much care that enables the future entries in the franchise to build off this tone; a fantastic Segway.

Scream:

The original, the reason why all the other films on this entry got to exist. For me, Scream is the best horror movie to exist, it deserves its place amongst the Shining’s and Exorcist’s of this world. I think the so called ‘elevated horror’ we are seeing these days owe a lot to Scream in paving the way for a modern horror film. What makes this m favourite in the horror genre must be the uniqueness. Name any other film that kills off the biggest star in the opening sequence, addresses horror tropes and also develops an engaging story combined with fleshed out characters you actively root for. Even the comic relief character (Dewey) is so well written that you cannot help but root for him. The film is not just self-referential to gain a free pass to fall into these tropes, it takes these tropes and builds on or diverts from the viewers expectations so well, you never know who is safe the entire film. The simplicity of Ghostface and the big reveal at the end makes this film all the more scarier. The villains are real characters that are very believable in their actions. Their childlike demeanour only adds to the fear factor in a weird way, the more human elements of the characters really elevates the fear factor. Furthermore, the opening scene is one of the most iconic and horrifically terrifying sequences in movie history. That scene alone would have this film at number one for me. I have skirted around the main plot of this film because I think it is a must watch and a lot of the fun comes from the mystery. If you are interested in films, watch Scream. Even if you think you hate horror movies, watch Scream. I cannot emphasise enough how good this film is. It is a genre defying, iconic piece of cinema that I love so much.