Brace yourselves, horror fans - the latest installment of the iconic Scream franchise is poised to make a major splash at the box office. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Scream 7 is tracking for a massive $40 million-plus opening weekend, which would make it the biggest debut for the slasher series yet.
What this really means is that the Scream franchise remains one of the most reliable and profitable horror properties in Hollywood. Even after six previous films, moviegoers are still clamoring to see the return of Ghostface and the beloved final girl, Sidney Prescott, played by the incomparable Neve Campbell.
A Scream Resurgence
The bigger picture here is that the Scream series has undergone somewhat of a resurgence in recent years. The 2022 soft reboot, simply titled Scream, was a critical and commercial success, earning over $138 million worldwide against a modest $24 million budget.
Then came last year's Scream VI, which set a new franchise record with a $44.5 million domestic opening weekend. Deadline reported that it was the best debut ever for the long-running slasher series.
Capitalizing on Momentum
Now, with Scream 7 poised to potentially surpass even that impressive opening, it's clear that Paramount and Spyglass Media are looking to capitalize on the renewed momentum surrounding the franchise. The return of original screenwriter Kevin Williamson to the director's chair is also sure to excite fans who have been with the series since the beginning.
Ultimately, the box office performance of Scream 7 will be a key test of whether this long-running horror franchise still has life in it. But if the early tracking is any indication, it seems Ghostface is far from finished terrorizing audiences in theaters.