It is actually quite funny to me that the first time I became aware of the Scary Movie franchise was back in 2008, when I was in my High School Musical phase. Who could have guessed that I was completely obsessed with Sharpay Evans? Finding out that Ashley Tisdale was going to be in a crazy, “scary movie”, titled Scary Movie 5, led me to want to seek out the previous four. To no surprise, I did not end up watching any of them. Leap to now, 13 years later, and I have just watched the 2026 reboot and reincarnated Scary Movie. With absolutely no context of the prior five movies, I can safely say that this updated version truly can bring a new audience to the franchise. As the studio must have wanted, Scary Movie (2026) will appeal to new viewers, bring back the original fans, and perhaps create a rewatch of the six-film franchise.
Thankfully, you do not need to be a prior viewer of the Scary Movie movies to have fun watching the “reboot”. Reboot is such a funny word, because what is going on in the sixth film does not feel like a reboot at all. Sometimes, when they want to bring back a semi-forgotten franchise, they will truly recreate the characters and make the same plot over and over again. Just make the original, but with young actors that the kids nowadays recognise. But in Scary Movie, they did this, while bringing back the originals. Or, so I would believe, having never seen the first five films. Mistake on my part, but still, it did not take away from the complete chaos and insanity that I got to witness on the big screen. Not a perfect film in the slightest, but a load of complete ridiculous comedy.
The year 2000 and this group of familiar-looking teenagers find themselves stalked by another familiar face, a man in a recognisable mask. Ghostface perhaps? Or are we not in the wrong franchise for that? Who knows? Now, 26 years and five movies later, the four familiar faces, or the “Core Four”, are back. Along with their kids, the four must now conquer a new Ghostface? The old one? Multiple ones? With 26 years of additional horror movie IPs and generations of slang and demeanour, no one and nothing is safe from the latest installment.
Whaazzzupppp?!?! Well, if you have not seen the prior five movies, then you might not entirely know. But you quickly come to realise and understand just what the Wayans are doing with these movies. It seems like it has been the allure of the franchise since it began back in 2000. When people break the fourth wall in cinema, or reference the simple idea of being in a movie, audiences are taken away from the screen they are watching and back into the real world. But, if and when done correctly, referencing the movie they are currently starring in can bring such an element of comedy and joy for the viewer that they will not even care if they are reminded that the movie is a movie.
Keeping it real is the simplest way to describe bringing Scary Movie into the 2020s. So many reincarnated franchises, films, or even simply characters nowadays are being made relevant for the new generation. While yes, this is how you can get a new audience attracted to your movie, but it takes away from the originality and the purpose of movies. Movies are not made to follow the common day ideals; they are there to push the boundaries and make fun of the issues within the real world. In their script, The Wayans – Marlon, Shawn, Keenen Ivory, and Craig – and Rick Alvarez have taken the 2000s film and kept that panache of making fun of humanity.
Shorty Meeks (Marlon Wayans), Brenda Meeks (Regina Hall), Cindy Campbell (Anna Faris), and Ray Wilkins (Shawn Wayans) are all seemingly returning. They are more than just back; they are aware they are being brought back into what could have been a dead franchise. Why have they been lured back onto the screen again? Well, this new Ghostface has his (or her) plans for them. But what adds to the play on all horror movie IPs is whether or not the killer wants the new generation or the old. In fact, Scary Movie (2026) truly becomes such a fun introduction into Scary Movie(s) because it is the current mixed with what was clearly so appealing from the originals.
Now I do not know if movies 2 to 5 were as good as the original, or as enjoyable as I just found the 2026 reboot. But what I can say is that I believe Michael Tiddes’ Scary Movie is just what we need in the middle of a mixed year for movies. Horror movies and franchises come and go, so do other genre franchises, but there is a reason for those that play on the idea of cinema. IP this and character that, but when you can simply make fun of it all, it shows the normal person (the ideal cinema viewer) that it is okay to have fun. Not everything needs to be serious all the time. We can make fun of whatever we want — within reason.
We are midway through the year, and though we have had some enjoyment on the big screen, overall, there has yet to be something purely fun and silly. Scary Movie might be the most random edition to this year’s cinematic releases, but it is a breath of fresh air. A movie to take the edge off, and nothing else is needed. No demand to fully focus or remember certain elements, just a bit of comedy and fun for you to enjoy — should you so wish.
Even if you have yet to see the first five, I would recommend pausing your serious cinema watches and just take a minute to enjoy this ridiculous movie with your friends, family, or even better, on your own. Good luck escaping Ghostface.
★★★
In cinemas June 5th / Anna Faris, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Dave Sheridan, Regina Hall, Olivia Rose Keegan, Jon Abrahams, Sydney Park / Dir: Michael Tiddes / Paramount Pictures UK / 18
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