Scary Movie (2026)

Oh boy. After thirteen years away, Scary Movie is finally back, and I had a grin on my face almost the entire time.

As someone who grew up watching these movies, I went in cautiously optimistic. Comedy sequels are tough, especially when they’re reviving a franchise that has been dormant for more than a decade. But bringing the Wayans brothers back turned out to be exactly what this series needed. The humor feels much closer to what made the early films so much fun, while still finding plenty of opportunities to take shots at modern horror movies, social media culture, and even the increasingly bizarre experience of going to the theater itself.

First things first, this movie rewards longtime fans. There are callbacks to earlier installments, returning characters, and a handful of jokes that feel like they’re aimed directly at people who have been following the franchise for years. Some characters haven’t been seen in ages, while others get called out for decisions made in previous movies in a way that had my theater laughing pretty hard. If you’ve been along for the ride since the beginning, you’ll know exactly what they’re referencing.

The movie also manages to parody modern horror without feeling like it’s trying too hard. Horror has changed dramatically since the last Scary Movie was released. We’ve gone from found footage and torture horror to elevated horror, creepy internet lore, AI fears, and social media-driven panic. There is a lot for them to work with, and they clearly had fun finding targets.

Is it sophisticated comedy? Absolutely not.

Is it trying to be cinematic greatness? Also no.

What it is trying to do is make people laugh for an hour and a half, and on that front, I think it succeeds. There were multiple moments where the entire audience was laughing together, and that’s part of what makes these movies fun. They’re communal experiences. Half the enjoyment comes from hearing everyone around you react to the same ridiculous joke.

What surprised me most is that this might actually be my favorite entry in the franchise. That’s a bold statement considering how much nostalgia people have for the earlier movies, but I genuinely had a great time with this one. It captures the chaotic energy that made the originals memorable while still feeling current enough to justify its existence.

If you’re a horror fan, there are plenty of references you’ll appreciate. If you’re a longtime Scary Movie fan, this feels like a return to form. And if you’re just looking for something fun that doesn’t ask much of you beyond sitting back and laughing, this is an easy recommendation.

Sometimes a movie doesn’t need to be profound. Sometimes it just needs to be a good time. Scary Movie understood the assignment.