What order do I watch Scream in?
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrring! What’s your favorite scary movie series? Is it Scream? Say it’s Scream or I’ll gut you like a fish!
Ahem. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. Besides, you’ve come here to learn how to watch the Scream movies in order, so the Scream franchise probably rates high in your book. As an apology for my very rude phone call, please accept this guide, which has the information you seek.
Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrring! What’s your favorite scary movie series?
Sigh. My apologies. You were right to hang up on that guy. I don’t know why another Ghostface would call you right as we’re talking. There’s nothing shady going on, and that there’s neither crossed fingers nor a big, shiny butcher knife behind my back. I don’t even have an accomplice waiting to crash through your patio doo—
I digress. Why don’t we disconnect so you can get on with your Scream marathon? You’ll find links below to the streaming services and video-on-demand outlets that have the Scream movies for you to stream.
Pro tip: Watching every Scream movie in order will take 11 hours and 38 minutes.
What are the Scream movies?
In 1996, Wes Craven’s Scream kicked off the wildly popular meta-horror franchise where Ghostface torments pretty people in Woodsboro, California, with prank calls—then kills them with sharp things. This, while everyone including Ghostface skewers horror cinema’s many tropes.
The first and now classic film was an instant hit, credited with spawning a slew of similar slashers like I Know What You Did Last Summer, not to mention four Scream sequels and a re-quel. Also, three seasons of a standalone Scream TV series aired on MTV and VH1 from 2015–2019.
“There are certain RULES!” Randy explains in Scream. (Video screenshot from Paramount+)
The fifth film, Scream (2022), both a reboot and sequel, reinvigorated the series, proving that Ghostface is still stabby after all these years. The re-quel also introduced new final girls in Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera while featuring all the surviving original characters—including O.G. final girl, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell).
Scream VI did likewise, but moved the story to New York City. Unfortunately, due to conflicts over money and support for Palestine (respectively), both Ortega and Barrera won’t appear in Scream 7, which is set to start shooting in December.
How to watch the Scream movies in chronological order
There is no difference between chronological and release order with the Scream movies. Don’t skip around, though, because you might spoil a major plot point or surprise.
In the following section, you’ll find links (courtesy of JustWatch.com) to stream, rent, or buy the Scream movies via streaming TV services or video-on-demand (VOD) retailers like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Where to watch Scream (1996)
On the anniversary of her mother’s murder, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is attacked by a killer wearing a ghost mask and black robe. The killer continues to stalk Sidney and her friends while they dodge nosy reporter Gale Weathers—and the film slashes away at horror-movie tropes.
Where to watch Scream 2 (1997)
A year after the first Scream, Sidney is in college—and a copycat Ghostface killer is on the loose. The film continues to mock horror tropes—especially those of horror sequels, and introduces the first Stab movie-within-a-movie.
Where to watch Scream 3 (2000)
Sidney, now a crisis counselor living in hiding, must confront another Ghostface copycat (again) with help from her surviving friends while one of them, Dewey Riley (David Arquette) works on the production of Stab 3. This time, the mockery targets trilogies—specifically their third films.
Where to watch Scream 4 (2011)
After leaving Woodsboro for 10 years, Sidney returns when yet another Ghostface killer begins murdering the students of Woodsboro High.
Where to watch Scream (2022)
Twenty-five years after the events of Scream (1996), you guessed it, there’s another Ghostface copycat. This time, however, he’s in Modesto targeting teens—including sisters Tara and Sam Carpenter—with connections to the first film’s killings.
Where to watch Scream VI (2023)
Tara Carpenter moves from Modesto to New York City to attend college close to Sam and, of course, someone else has donned the Ghostface costume and is gettin’ all murder-y. To defeat GF, the Carpenters recruit now-retired Dewey, who brings along Sidney and Weathers, who’s now his ex-wife.
Pro tip: Wondering how to watch the Scream: The TV Series? Netflix has all three seasons.
How to rent or buy the Scream movies on demand
If the Scream movies aren’t on one of your streaming TV services, you can rent or buy them from video-on-demand (VOD) retailers like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Google Play Movies, Redbox, and VUDU. Use the JustWatch links in the previous section.
FAQs
Where do I start with the Scream movies?
Start at the beginning, with Scream (1996) and work your way through the films in release order. We don’t recommend skipping around because you’ll miss some surprises.
