Scary Movie review: Not funny, not scary and about as current as a Carry On film

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A star rating of 2 out of 5.

It’s unfortunate when a comedy feels old news before it’s even released, and that’s the situation with the new Scary Movie. This is the sixth film in the series, and it brings back the original cast – including Anna Faris, Regina Hall, and Shawn and Marlon Wayans – for the first time since the second movie. Michael Tiddes directed this installment.

Drawing inspiration from a wide range of horror films like Longlegs, John Wick, Get Out, Smile, Terrifier, Ma, The Substance, and the 2018 Halloween reboot – even including older movies like Scary Movie – this film throws in a lot of references. However, it missed the chance to include the most talked-about horror hits of 2026, Obsession and Backrooms.

The horror genre is constantly evolving, and it’s experiencing another surge in popularity thanks to recent award-winning films like Weapons and Sinners, and new hits from young, up-and-coming Gen-Z directors. Despite this constant change, Scary Movie deliberately embraces the classic style of older horror films.

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Scary Movie feels like a restart of the original, which already borrowed heavily from films like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. This new installment relies on repeating old gags, referencing its own past, and even seems to intentionally dismiss its new characters. While an initial appearance by acclaimed actress Teyana Taylor suggests a higher quality to come, the film unfortunately doesn’t deliver.

If you’re watching Scary Movie, you probably know what you’re in for. Maybe it’s the intentionally crude humor, or the jokes about Shawn Wayans’ character, Ray, being gay. It could be for the still-amusing recreation of the scene where Ghost Face gets high with Shorty, played by Marlon Wayans. Or perhaps you’re enjoying the familiar faces and jokes, and feeling clever for recognizing references to older horror movies – a simple, slightly nerdy nod to classic scares.

The show also pokes fun at so-called “elevated comedy” – humor that’s more about seeming smart than actually being funny, and which often appeals to a specific audience. The humor relies heavily on references to Judd Apatow, a filmmaker whose style feels quite dated at this point.

The movie’s attempts at poking fun at current social trends feel weak and aren’t very impactful. A running gag, where a character’s daughter annoys moviegoers, feels stale and isn’t as humorous as it was in the original film.

The movie doesn’t really become engaging until the very end, when the original cast members make it clear they’re the ones audiences want to see, not the new characters. And they’re probably right – it’s hard to imagine a younger audience connecting with this type of movie, especially since it isn’t funny or scary, and feels very dated. It just doesn’t feel relevant to modern viewers, much like the classic ‘Carry On’ films.

This movie isn’t groundbreaking – it’s more like a comfortable, but outdated, classic. It might not be stylish or exciting by today’s standards, but it evokes a simpler time. If you stick with it, there are two extra scenes after the credits, offering more of the same familiar experience.

Authors

Rosie Fletcher

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2026-06-04 16:36