About this Scream Series Watch Order template
This timeline provides a clear chronological guide to the Scream movies and TV shows. It maps out the franchise from the 1996 original to the upcoming seventh installment, helping fans follow the story of Sidney Prescott.
Scream
Released in 1996, this film revolutionized horror. Directed by Wes Craven, it introduces Sidney Prescott and the iconic Ghostface. The story follows a high school student targeted by a mysterious and masked killer in Woodsboro.
- Release year: 1996
- Director: Wes Craven
- Key Characters: Sidney Prescott, Ghostface
Scream 2
Released just a year later, this sequel follows Sidney to college. She faces a new series of murders that mimic the original Woodsboro killings. It explores how the first film’s events impacted the survivors.
- Release year: 1997
- Director: Wes Craven
- Key Characters: Sidney Prescott, Randy Meeks
Scream 3
Set in Hollywood, this film takes place during the production of a movie about the Woodsboro murders. Sidney emerges from hiding to face a killer obsessed with her past family secrets while on a movie set.
- Release year: 2000
- Director: Wes Craven
- Key Characters: Sidney Prescott, Gale Weathers
Scream 4
Sidney returns to Woodsboro on the final stop of her book tour. However, her homecoming triggers a fresh wave of attacks by a new Ghostface. The film focuses on a younger generation of characters in town.
- Release year: 2011
- Director: Wes Craven
- Key Characters: Sidney Prescott, Jill Roberts
Scream The TV Series
This anthology series brings the Ghostface mystery to the small screen. It features different stories across three seasons. The first two seasons focus on Emma Duval, while the third season reboots with a new cast.
- Season 1 (2015): 10 Episodes
- Season 2 (2016): 10 Episodes
- Season 3 (2019): 6 Episodes
Scream 2022
Often called Scream 5, this film reboots the franchise for a new era. A fresh killer targets teenagers linked to the original characters. Sam and Tara Carpenter become the new central figures in the ongoing bloodbath.
- Release year: 2022
- Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
- Key Characters: Sam Carpenter, Tara Carpenter
Scream VI
The survivors of the previous film move to New York City for a fresh start. Unfortunately, a new Ghostface follows them to the big city. The scale of the violence increases as the characters fight to survive.
- Release year: 2023
- Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
- Key Characters: Sam Carpenter, Tara Carpenter, Ghostface
Scream 7
The upcoming installment sees Sidney Prescott returning to the lead role. Now a mother, she must protect her daughter from a new Ghostface threat. The film promises to conclude long-standing plot threads and face past horrors.
- Release year: 2026
- Director: Kevin Williamson
- Plot summary: Sidney confronts past horrors to protect her family
FAQs about this Template
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Is the Scream TV series connected to the movies?
The Scream television series is largely considered a standalone project separate from the main film continuity. While the first two seasons share the name and slasher themes, they feature different characters and a unique mask. The third season acts as a complete reboot. Most fans treat the TV show as an optional side story rather than essential canon for the movie timeline.
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What is the best way to watch the Scream movies?
The best way to watch the Scream movies is in order of their theatrical release. This allows you to experience the character growth and the evolution of the meta-horror themes naturally. Start with the 1996 original and follow through to the 2023 sequel. Watching them chronologically ensures you catch all the references to previous killings and understand the returning characters' motivations.
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Who is the main protagonist of the Scream franchise?
Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell, is the primary protagonist of the first four films and returns in the fifth. She is the ultimate final girl who survives multiple Ghostface attacks. In the newer installments, the focus shifts to sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter. However, Sidney remains the heart of the series and is set to lead the upcoming seventh movie in 2026.
