Jun 4, 2026 Content Strategy
Today's horror landscape is bigger than ever. From psychological thrillers and socially conscious horror to sprawling franchises, the genre continues to dominate popular culture, making this the perfect time for Scary Movie to return.
Premiering exclusively in theaters, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and Premium Large Formats on June 5, the newest installment reunites original stars Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, and Regina Hall for the first time in more than two decades. Twenty-six years after first outrunning a suspiciously familiar masked killer, the Core Four find themselves back in the crosshairs, and this time, no horror movie is safe.
From Paramount Pictures and Miramax, Scary Movie slashes through everything from elevated horror and legacy sequels to reboots, remakes, requels, prequels, spin-offs, and every "final chapter" that somehow isn't final. But beneath the sharp satire and outrageous comedy is something audiences haven't seen in years: the return of the cast that helped turn Scary Movie into a pop culture phenomenon.
Ahead of the film's release, we spoke with Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Anna Faris about revisiting the franchise, reuniting with old friends, and why audiences may need a laugh now more than ever.
"The World Needed to Laugh"
The original Scary Movie arrived at a time when horror was dominating multiplexes. More than two decades later, history appears to be repeating itself.
Today's horror landscape is bigger than ever. From prestige psychological thrillers and social horror to sprawling franchises, the genre continues to dominate popular culture. For Marlon and Shawn Wayans, that made the timing of a new Scary Movie feel especially right.
"Horror movies became so huge," says Marlon Wayans. "It's the biggest genre of movie right now. So when we come back to our franchise to lampoon horror movies, hopefully the results will be colossal."
But the return of Scary Movie isn't only about spoofing the latest trends. At its heart, the franchise has always been built around something simple: making audiences laugh.
"I just think the world needed to laugh," Shawn Wayans says. "At the end of the day, that's what we all want to do, is feel good, have a smile put on our face when we watch something."
Marlon believes that kind of comedy speaks to something universal.
"In every adult lives that 14-year-old teenager that just discovered real laughter," he says. "Before damage hits you, before you got all these complications and damage from the world."
Even for audiences who are a little more cynical than they were when the original film debuted in 2000, Anna Faris says the appeal remains the same. "It's a total release."
"It Has Been So Emotional"
For audiences, the return of Cindy Campbell, Ray Wilkins, Brenda Meeks, and Shorty Meeks is a nostalgic reunion. For the cast, it was something more personal.
Twenty-six years after first appearing in the franchise, Anna Faris describes returning to the role of Cindy as an unexpectedly emotional experience.
"It was awesome, like finding a beautiful locket that your grandma gave you that you thought you lost or was stolen, and 26 years later you found it," she says.
Adding to the emotion is Faris’ genuine appreciation for the creative partnership shared with the Wayans brothers whom she credits as a foundational part of her journey as an actor.
Faris continues, "It has been so emotional. It has been so incredible. I love it that I get to act and celebrate with these guys who are like my origin story."
No Horror Movie Is Safe
Just as the original Scary Movie targeted the defining horror films of its era, the new installment updates its focus for a generation raised on prestige horror, social commentary, and franchise storytelling.
The cast was quick to point out some of the films that inspired their favorite moments. Marlon immediately cited Sinners. Shawn highlighted Weapons. Faris pointed to Get Out.
Together, those choices reflect the evolution of horror itself. The genre has expanded dramatically since Scary Movie first debuted, creating new conventions, new icons, and countless opportunities for parody.
But the challenge wasn't simply spoofing today's biggest films. It was finding a way to bridge generations of audiences while staying true to the spirit of the original franchise.
"The freshness was the new characters," Marlon says. "Making sure we incorporate not just our world, but incorporate today's world, and do a mash up of ideas and concepts and generational. It's a conversation that the generation needed to have with our generation."
The result is a film that honors what longtime fans loved about the original while introducing a new cast and fresh targets for audiences discovering Scary Movie for the first time.
A Company-Wide Celebration
Paramount celebrates all things Scary Movie with airings of previous Scary Movie films across VH1, Paramount+, and Pluto TV, which began last week and continue through this weekend, giving audiences an opportunity to revisit the franchise alongside the new film's release. Combined with linear and digital promotion, a nationwide theatrical marketing campaign, and social content featuring the cast, the initiative aims to reconnect with longtime fans, celebrate the franchise's cultural legacy, and introduce a new generation to the outrageous humor that made Scary Movie a pop culture phenomenon.
Scary Movie opens exclusively in theaters, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and Premium Large Formats on June 5. Get tickets now.