Every Scream Movie Opening Scene, Ranked

Few horror movie openings are as famous as the one in Wes Craven’s Scream, rivaling even those of Jaws and Halloween. It’s a masterclass in building suspense, and those first 13 minutes are often used as an example in screenwriting courses. However, this incredible opening also creates a challenge for the rest of the Scream films. Fans now expect each movie to start with a similarly impactful and clever scene, one that offers a commentary on the genre or delivers deaths as shocking as those of Casey Becker and Steven Orth.

The Scream movies have consistently delivered, avoiding truly terrible opening scenes. While the first film had an exceptional start, the quality has varied across the seven installments – some openings have been fantastic, and others haven’t quite hit the mark. Let’s take a look at which ones stand out and which ones fall flat.

Spoilers for Scream 7 follow.

7) Scream 4

Ignoring the distracting bright lighting, Scream 4 really holds up. It’s actually better now than when it was first released in 2011 – not in terms of how it looks, but as a movie overall. It’s both funny and genuinely frightening, and the two times the Ghostface killer is revealed are incredibly well done.

The movie starts off a bit confusingly. It seems to suggest that the in-universe “Stab” films are now poorly made, but that wasn’t really the case even years ago – the earlier ones still held up. Then, it feels like there’s just too much going on. We quickly see scenes meant to be from different “Stab” movies – a standard slasher sequence labeled as “Stab 6,” followed by Kristen Bell stabbing Anna Paquin in a scene supposedly from “Stab 7.” The actual opening scene features Britt Robertson’s character pointing out the illogicality of “Stab 7” beginning with footage from “Stab 6,” and she’s right to be confused. While the opening is somewhat entertaining and the deaths of the initial characters do connect to later plot points, it feels like the weakest opening sequence in the entire series.

Stream Scream 4 on Paramount+.

6) Scream 3

From the very beginning, Scream 3 doesn’t quite live up to the quality of the first two Scream movies. While it still manages to create some suspense, it’s not as effective as its predecessors, and it also lacks the same level of wit and cleverness.

Despite being a risky move – killing off a key character early in the third film, which often signals trouble for a trilogy – this one actually pulls it off better than most examples, like in Beverly Hills Cop III and RoboCop 3. Ghostface remains effectively frightening, and while we’re somewhat attached to Cotton Weary, his death does successfully raise the tension. It’s effective, but it doesn’t reach the same level of brilliance as the openings of the first two Scream movies.

Stream Scream 3 for free on Kanopy.

5) Scream 7

Some viewers might be surprised to see Scream 7 start off so low on the list. While the scene at the Stu Macher house Airbnb is definitely a highlight, it doesn’t actually contribute much to the main storyline, which is why it’s placed here.

A central mystery in Scream 7 revolves around the possibility of Stu Macher’s return. While it seems like Stu is back – and the film wants both the characters and the audience to think so – it’s a deliberate misdirection. The opening scene, featuring a deadly house fire, is designed solely to create this impression. The victims of the fire and the events surrounding it are quickly glossed over and don’t significantly impact the story. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter that Stu was involved in the fire; it’s a striking trailer moment, but one of the few openings in the Scream series that doesn’t immediately drive the plot forward.

4) Scream VI

Like the opening of Scream VI, the beginning of Scream 7 doesn’t immediately grab your attention and move the story forward. However, it’s more effective at being unsettling. Ultimately, the opening scene feels familiar – it’s a typical stalking and killing sequence, which is common in slasher films, and doesn’t offer anything particularly new.

I was genuinely shocked by the latest Scream VI kill scene! It starts like any other in the series – a terrifying chase and attack – but then it completely flips the script. Ghostface actually removes the mask after the kill, which felt like a total reset! It’s like the story starts all over again, and then again when another Ghostface appears. Honestly, I was relieved Jason Carvey finally got what was coming to him, and the fate of his boyfriend was…intense, to say the least. Plus, I’m so glad Samara Weaving finally landed a role in a big slasher film – she’s a modern scream queen and absolutely delivers!

Stream Scream VI on Paramount+.

3) Scream (2022)

The 2022 film Scream makes it clear from the start that it deeply respects the original movie by Wes Craven. But it also wants viewers to know it’s not just a rehash of the same story. And it manages to do both of those things well.

The way Ghostface stalks Tara Carpenter initially feels similar to the phone call sequence with Casey Becker in the original film: it starts calm and gradually becomes threatening. But this time, there’s a twist – Tara is aware of horror movie tropes, and her friend’s life is also in danger (though it turns out that friend is actually one of the killers). A clever addition is the use of smart home technology: Tara tries to lock the doors with her phone, only for Ghostface to do the same. This modern touch updates the franchise and really heightens the tension of the scene, with the back-and-forth of locking and unlocking creating a palpable sense of dread.

What really makes this opening scene stand out to me, like with Scream VI, is how it throws you for a loop. Usually, someone dies right away, but here, they don’t! Yet, it immediately makes you feel like something bad is going to happen. Dewey even says later, “Something about this one feels different,” and he’s right! It’s so important in a Scream movie that the opening scene actually means something and connects to the rest of the story. This one does that perfectly. They needed Tara to survive so they could get to her sister, Sam, and that’s how we meet Richie, one of the Ghostfaces! Honestly, without this opening, the whole movie just wouldn’t work. It sets everything in motion.

Stream Scream (2022) on Paramount+.

2) Scream 2

While the beginning of the first Scream is iconic, the movie theater scene in Scream 2 is almost as thrilling. It creates a similar level of suspense, but with a unique approach.

Casey Becker is completely alone and has no one to turn to, particularly after her boyfriend is killed. Meanwhile, Jada Pinkett Smith’s character, Maureen Evans, is surrounded by people. However, most of them are distracted – around 90% of the crowd, including a character named Mikey Altieri, are dressed as Ghostface. They’re so caught up in the movie and enjoying the on-screen violence that it makes you wonder if they’d even bother to help if they realized what was really happening.

Stream Scream 2 for free on Kanopy.

1) Scream (1996)

I keep thinking about that opening scene with Casey Becker in Scream. I mentioned it earlier, but it’s just brilliant. Even if you forget that Drew Barrymore was having a bit of a career resurgence in ’96, it’s still one of the most effective opening scenes in any movie, ever. It just grabs you right away.

Right from the start, Scream sets itself apart from the slasher films that came before it. It’s a genuinely smart horror movie that raised the standard for the genre—in fact, it did so before self-aware horror became common. While audiences today might be used to this kind of approach, it’s still impressive how effectively the film builds suspense. The opening scene with Casey is perfectly crafted: we quickly connect with her, feel her increasing anxiety, and then witness her horrifying death, followed by the discovery of her body by her parents. It’s a brutal introduction that immediately tells the audience anything can happen.

Stream Scream (1996) for free on Kanopy.

What’s your favorite opening scene from the movie Scream? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-08 19:48