M.R. Cullen

The SCREAM movie franchise, created by Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson, has become a staple in popular culture since the first film’s release in 1996. The franchise centres around a mysterious killer known as Ghostface, who targets a group of high school students in the fictional town of Woodsboro.

One of the reasons for the franchise’s success can be attributed to its self-awareness and meta-commentary on the horror genre. The characters frequently discuss and reference other horror films, highlighting the cliches and tropes typically found in the genre. This self-awareness helped to distance SCREAM from other horror films of the time, making it stand out and appeal to a wider audience.

Another factor that contributed to the franchise’s success was its talented cast. The films starred well-known actors such as Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, who helped to bring credibility and likability to the characters. Additionally, the films featured several up-and-coming actors, such as Rose McGowan and Skeet Ulrich, who helped to make the films relatable to a younger audience.

The SCREAM franchise has been incredibly successful, grossing over $600 million worldwide across the four films released between 1996 and 2011. The franchise has also significantly impacted popular culture, influencing other horror films and becoming a recognizable symbol in the genre.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the franchise, leading to a reboot of the series. The reboot, released in 2022, was directed by Matthew Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the directors of the horror film “Ready or Not” and produced by Spyglass Media Group. The reboot was a modern re-imagining of the franchise, with a mixture of a new cast and storyline, and familiar faces like Sidney, Gale & Dewey, while still paying homage to the original films.

There are several reasons why it was the right time to reboot Ghostface for a younger generation. Firstly, the horror genre has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with films such as “Get Out” and “Halloween” receiving critical and commercial success. This renewed interest in the genre made it a perfect time to reintroduce the SCREAM franchise to a new generation of viewers.

Secondly, the original films were made when the internet and social media were less prevalent than they are now. The reboot was able to incorporate these technologies into the storyline, adding a new level of suspense and tension to the films.

Lastly, the themes of the original films, such as the pressures of high school, bullying, and the dangers of social media, are still relevant today. The reboot addressed these themes in a modern context, making them relatable to a new generation of viewers. In fact, the reboot was so successful a sequel is coming to cinemas in March 2023,

The  SCREAM franchise became a staple in popular culture, thanks to its self-awareness, talented cast, and impact on the horror genre. The upcoming sequel to the reboot, again directed by Matthew Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, has the potential to cement the franchises popularity with the new generation of viewers, and the OG fans alike, and bring the Ghostface killer back to the big screen.

What classic horror franchise do you think is ready for a reboot for a younger generation? Make sure to leave your answer in the comments below and if you like this post make sure to like and share among your networks.

Till next we dance among the poisoned ivy…