Quick Summary: Scream 7 is releasing in theatres on February 27, 2026, directed by original franchise writer Kevin Williamson. The film stars Neve Campbell returning as Sidney Prescott, alongside Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, and a stellar new cast. Sidney’s daughter Tatum is the new Ghostface target — and things are about to get very personal.
What Is Scream 7? — A Quick Overview
Ghostface is back, and this time it’s family on the line.
Scream 7 is the seventh installment in the iconic Scream slasher franchise — a sequel to Scream VI (2023). After years of behind-the-scenes drama, cast shake-ups, and director changes, the film is finally set for a February 27, 2026 theatrical release by Paramount Pictures.
What makes this entry truly special for fans? It marks the long-awaited return of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) — the franchise’s iconic “final girl” — who was notably absent from Scream VI. The film also brings back beloved legacy characters and has a deeply personal, emotional storyline that connects directly to the 1996 original.
Scream 7 Release Date
Scream 7 arrives in theatres on February 27, 2026, brought to you by Paramount Pictures.
Mark your calendars — this is one of the most anticipated horror releases of 2026. The film had a rocky road to production, originally slated for 2024 before major cast and creative team reshuffles pushed it back significantly.
Scream 7 Official Trailers — What We’ve Seen So Far
Two major trailers have already dropped for Scream 7, giving fans plenty to scream about.
First Full Trailer (October 30, 2025)
Paramount released the first full-length Scream 7 trailer on October 30, 2025. In the clip, we see a couple staying at a “psy>ho killer B&B,” and not surprisingly, things go very wrong very fast when a Ghostface-masked killer shows up.
The trailer also introduced audiences to Tatum Prescott (Isabel May), Sidney’s teenage daughter, and showed Sidney herself back in full fighting form. There are strong Halloween (2018) vibes as Sidney goes head-to-head with Ghostface through shadowy corridors.
Super Bowl 2026 Promo Trailer
A promo trailer also dropped during the Super Bowl, giving viewers a fresh look at the gore and tension — from a person hanging from wires in an auditorium to Ghostface taunting Sidney over the phone.
Both trailers confirm this is a more intense, emotionally-driven chapter — Ghostface isn’t just after random victims. This time, it’s personal.
Scream 7 Full Cast — Legacy Stars + Exciting New Faces
Scream 7 boasts one of the most star-studded casts in the franchise’s history, blending original legends with exciting new talent.
Returning Legacy Cast
| Actor/Actress | Character | Last Appeared |
| Neve Campbell | Sidney Prescott | Scream 4 (2011) |
| Courteney Cox | Gale Weathers | Scream VI (2023) |
| David Arquette | Dewey Riley | Scream (2022) |
| Matthew Lillard | Stu Macher | Scream (1996) |
| Scott Foley | Roman Bridger | Scream 3 (2000) |
| Jasmin Savoy Brown | Mindy Meeks-Martin | Scream VI (2023) |
| Mason Gooding | Chad Meeks-Martin | Scream VI (2023) |
| Roger L. Jackson | Voice of Ghostface | All Films |
New Cast Members
- Isabel May — Tatum Prescott, Sidney’s teenage daughter (the new primary target)
- Joel McHale — Mark Evans, Sidney’s husband
- Mckenna Grace — Undisclosed role
- Anna Camp — Undisclosed role
- Michelle Randolph — New character
- Jimmy Tatro — New character
- Celeste O’Connor — New character
- Asa Germann — New character
- Sam Rechner — New character
- Mark Consuelos — New character
- Tim Simons — New character
- Ethan Embry — New character
A Notable Twist: Dead Characters Are Back?
Matthew Lillard (Stu Macher) and Scott Foley (Roman Bridger) are both returning — despite their characters having died in previous films. How they’ll be brought back into the story remains one of Scream 7’s biggest mysteries.
David Arquette’s Dewey Riley is also returning, despite the character being killed in 2022’s Scream by Amber. The details of his return are still under wraps.
Scream 7 Plot — What’s the Story?
Sidney Prescott has built a new life for herself in the quiet town of Pine Grove, Indiana — until a new Ghostface killer begins to target her teenage daughter Tatum, forcing Sidney to confront her past yet again to end the killings once and for all.
It’s worth noting that Sidney named her daughter Tatum to honor her best friend Tatum (played by Rose McGowan) who was famously killed by Ghostface in the very first film. That small detail adds a heartbreaking layer of legacy and nostalgia to the story.
The film is essentially a direct emotional sequel to the 1996 original — bringing Sidney’s arc full circle, now as a mother fighting to protect the next generation.
Director & Creative Team
Kevin Williamson — The OG Returns to Direct
This is the first film in the franchise to be directed by Kevin Williamson, the man who wrote Scream (1996), Scream 2 (1997), and Scream 4 (2011). Williamson co-wrote the screenplay alongside Guy Busick, from a story by James Vanderbilt and Busick.
Having the original franchise architect take the director’s chair is a massive deal. It signals a return to the roots — the wit, the meta-commentary, the sharp self-awareness that made the original Scream a genre-defining classic.
Music Score
The film will be scored by Marco Beltrami, returning from the first four installments. In late August 2025, Beltrami confirmed that he and an orchestra had completed the score in Budapest, sharing snippets of new compositions titled “What’s in a Name” and “School Drama.”
Behind-the-Scenes Drama — How We Got Here
Scream 7 had one of the most turbulent production histories in recent Hollywood memory. Here’s a quick breakdown:
2023 — Directors Exit: After Scream VI‘s success, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett exited due to scheduling conflicts. Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day) stepped in.
November 2023 — Melissa Barrera Fired: Melissa Barrera was removed from the cast of Scream 7 after she shared social media posts regarding the war in Gaza. Production company Spyglass stated they had “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form.”
Jenna Ortega Exits: Jenna Ortega announced she would not be returning, initially citing scheduling conflicts with Netflix’s Wednesday Season 2. However, in a 2025 interview she clarified: “The Melissa stuff was happening, and it was all kind of falling apart. If Scream 7 wasn’t going to be with that team of directors and those people I fell in love with, then it didn’t seem like the right move for me.”
Christopher Landon Also Exits: After losing Barrera and the story he wanted to tell, Landon also departed the project.
2024 — Full Creative Reboot: Following the huge upheaval, Neve Campbell confirmed her return as Sidney Prescott, writing on Instagram: “Sidney Prescott is coming back!!!! It’s always been such a blast and an honor to get to play Sidney in the Scream movies.” Kevin Williamson was hired as director, and the story was completely reimagined.
January–March 2025 — Filming Completed: Principal photography began under the working title Scar Tissue in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 7, 2025, and wrapped on March 12, 2025.
Scream Franchise Timeline — Where Does Scream 7 Fit?
| Film | Year | Director |
| Scream | 1996 | Wes Craven |
| Scream 2 | 1997 | Wes Craven |
| Scream 3 | 2000 | Wes Craven |
| Scream 4 | 2011 | Wes Craven |
| Scream (Reboot) | 2022 | Bettinelli-Olpin & Gillett |
| Scream VI | 2023 | Bettinelli-Olpin & Gillett |
| Scream 7 | 2026 | Kevin Williamson |
Scream 7 serves as a sequel to Scream VI while also acting as a spiritual return to the original 1996 film’s spirit and themes.
What’s New in Scream 7? Key Highlights
- Sidney’s daughter Tatum is the first time the franchise has explored Sidney’s life as a mother
- Kevin Williamson directing for the first time — the man who invented Ghostface is now in the chair
- Legacy villains return — Stu Macher and Roman Bridger back from the dead (how?!)
- Marco Beltrami’s score returns the original horror atmosphere
- New setting — Pine Grove, Indiana — leaving Woodsboro behind for a fresh location
- Super Bowl trailer debut — already generating massive buzz online
Rotten Tomatoes & Critic Reception
As of the time of publication, Scream 7 has not yet released (releasing February 27, 2026), so there are no official Rotten Tomatoes critic reviews available yet. The Tomatometer currently shows 0 reviews and the Popcornmeter shows 0 verified ratings.
Stay tuned — reviews are expected to start dropping in the days leading up to the February 27 release. Given the nostalgic cast reunion and Kevin Williamson’s return, early buzz from trailers is strongly positive among fans.
FAQs About Scream 7
Q1. When is Scream 7 releasing in theatres?
Scream 7 releases on February 27, 2026, in theatres worldwide via Paramount Pictures.
Q2. Is Neve Campbell back in Scream 7?
Yes! Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott after missing Scream VI due to a pay dispute. Her return is the biggest storyline of Scream 7.
Q3. Why was Melissa Barrera fired from Scream 7?
Melissa Barrera was fired from Scream 7 in November 2023 after her social media posts about the Israel-Gaza conflict were deemed unacceptable by production company Spyglass Media Group.
Q4. Why isn’t Jenna Ortega in Scream 7?
Jenna Ortega departed the project, initially citing scheduling conflicts with Netflix’s Wednesday Season 2. She later revealed she left because of the broader cast changes and shift in creative direction.
Q5. Who is directing Scream 7?
Kevin Williamson, the original screenwriter of the 1996 Scream, is directing Scream 7 — marking his directorial debut in the franchise.
Q6. How is Dewey Riley returning if he died?
David Arquette’s Dewey Riley was killed in Scream (2022), but his return has been confirmed. The exact nature of his appearance — whether flashback, ghost, or some other creative device — has not been revealed.
Q7. Who plays Sidney’s daughter in Scream 7?
Isabel May plays Tatum Prescott, Sidney’s teenage daughter who becomes Ghostface’s new primary target.
Q8. How long is Scream 7?
Scream 7 has a runtime of 1 hour 54 minutes.
Q9. Is Scream 7 a reboot or a sequel?
It is both a direct sequel to Scream VI and a creative reboot of the franchise’s direction — shifting focus back to Sidney Prescott and legacy characters while setting up a new generation.
Q10. Where was Scream 7 filmed?
Principal photography took place in Atlanta, Georgia, under the working title Scar Tissue, from January 7 to March 12, 2025.
Final Verdict: Should You Be Excited?
Absolutely. Scream 7 may be the most emotionally charged, nostalgia-packed entry in the franchise since the 1996 original. With Kevin Williamson — the godfather of the Ghostface universe — now in the director’s chair, Neve Campbell’s triumphant return, and a story that cuts right to the heart of Sidney’s legacy, this has all the ingredients of a genre event film.
The production backstory alone is worthy of a documentary. But none of that matters once the lights go dark, the phone rings, and a familiar voice asks:
“Hello, Sidney. Did you miss me?”
Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, Wikipedia, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, IMDB, Paramount Pictures Official Site
This article is written for informational and entertainment purposes. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
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