Scary Movie (2026)

⭐⭐⭐

96 minutes ‧ R ‧ 2026
Cast: Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris
Director: Michael Tiddes
Genres: Comedy, Horror

When I took my seat for Scary Movie, I was bracing myself for a few mindless laughs and not much more. But as it unfolded, I was surprised by how much fun I was having. It isn’t just silly — it’s bold and over-the-top, and managed to bring an entire theater together in laughter.

The film opens with a familiar setup: a group of high school friends is stalked by a mysterious killer, a scenario that is instantly recognizable to any horror fan. While Scream forms the backbone of the story, with Ghostface front and center, the script draws inspiration from a wide range of movies. It parodies features like Smile, M3GAN, Get Out, and the recent Halloween movies, as well as slasher icons such as Jason and Leatherface. The plot focuses less on unraveling a mystery and more on bringing together horror tropes and references. Scares quickly turn into laughs through slapstick antics and rapid-fire gags. For those who know their horror, half the fun is catching all the nods.

Anna Faris is the perfect Cindy, wide-eyed, oblivious, and surprisingly capable when needed. Regina Hall, playing Brenda, is fearless and throws herself into every bit, making even weaker jokes work. Marlon Wayans delivers broad, physical comedy with the energy of someone thrilled to be back. Shawn Wayans, as Ray, balances his brother’s wildness with sly, deadpan humor.

For a franchise known for pushing boundaries, I was pleased to see that Scary Movie avoids reducing its trans character to punchlines. Jess, the sheriff’s transgender son, blends seamlessly into the group and is simply part of the crew. This type of inclusion feels respectful — a rare achievement for a parody. Meanwhile, Shawn Wayans’ character is hilarious, displaying homosexual behaviors while constantly insisting he isn’t gay. Although Ray is played for laughs, his portrayal never comes across as mean-spirited or offensive; it’s all in good fun.

Scary Movie opened to $55 million domestically, making it the franchise’s best debut in its 26-year history. That’s an impressive feat for an R-rated comedy without superheroes or a shared universe. Comedies of this size rarely open this strongly, and the fact that a spoof managed to do so shows just how much audiences missed pure, silly, sit-back-and-howl moviegoing.

Critics have been harsh with Scary Movie, but criticizing a Wayans parody for being over-the-top misses the point. This isn’t a film meant to deliver deep drama or profound social commentary — it’s here to make you laugh. I wanted to enjoy a fun night out, laughing with a crowd of strangers, and that’s exactly what I got. The Wayans brothers returned, brought Faris and Hall along, and reminded us why this rowdy, lovable franchise works. If you watch it for what it is — a wild, outrageous comedy — you’ll have a blast.