SCREAM 7 Slashes Its Way to Franchise-Best Opening Despite Franchise-Worst Reviews
The box office has been kind of sleepy lately. After a decent Valentine’s Day bump led by Wuthering Heights, and a surprise run at the top from GOAT, theaters were clearly waiting for something bigger to crash the party. Enter Scream 7.
Directed by Kevin Williamson, Scream 7 hit theaters as the only new wide release this past weekend and completely took over. The latest chapter in the long-running horror franchise carved out the biggest opening weekend of 2026 so far, pulling in a massive $64.1 million domestically.
For comparison, Wuthering Heights previously held the year’s best debut with $32.8 million. Scream 7 didn’t just edge past that number, it nearly doubled it.
That’s not just a win for 2026. It’s a win for the franchise as a whole.
Back in 2023, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s Scream VI set a new series record with a $44.4 million opening, topping the $34.7 million earned by Scream 3 in 2000. Now Williamson’s film sits at the top of the franchise leaderboard. For a series that first terrified audiences in 1996, that’s impressive longevity.
The global numbers make it even more interesting. Along with its $64.1 million domestic haul, the film added $33.1 million internationally, bringing its worldwide total to $97.2 million in just three days. That’s already more than the full global run of Scream 3, which finished at $96 million.
Of course, the original Scream, directed by Wes Craven, still holds the overall franchise crown with $173 million worldwide during its 1996 and 1997 run, and that’s without adjusting for inflation. As the original approaches its 30th anniversary, there’s now real curiosity about whether Scream 7 can eventually overtake it.
But here’s where things get complicated.
While Scream 7 is killing it at the box office, it’s taking hits in the review department. Critics weren’t nearly as enthusiastic this time around. The previous two entries in the current era were widely praised for honoring Craven’s legacy after his passing in 2015. This one? Not so much.
Audience reactions aren’t exactly glowing either. The film’s Rotten Tomatoes audience score is lower than both 2022’s Scream and Scream VI. CinemaScore results tell a similar story. Scream 7 landed a “B-,” tying Scream 4 for the weakest grade in the series. Meanwhile, Scream 2, 2022’s Scream, and Scream VI all earned stronger “B+” grades.
Part of the frustration seems to stem from the unresolved storyline involving Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. A lot of fans were invested in that arc, and not getting a clear resolution hasn’t sat well with everyone. That disappointment may be bleeding into overall reactions.
Still, curiosity clearly drove opening weekend. The mystery of the new Ghostface, the return of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, and the simple power of the brand brought horror fans out in full force. The real test starts now.
Second weekend drops will be key. Word of mouth can make or break a horror sequel, and Scream 7 will soon face fresh competition from Hoppers, the latest Pixar feature directed by Daniel Chong. Animation has been on a hot streak lately, especially after Zootopia 2 dominated 2025. If Hoppers connects with families, that could chip away at Scream 7’s momentum.
For now, though, Ghostface is sitting comfortably at number one. The reviews may be rough, but the opening weekend numbers are undeniable. Whether this sequel legs it out or takes a sharp drop next weekend, it’s already carved its name into franchise history.