How Many Scream Movies Are There? All 7 Films in Order
Key takeaways
- There are seven released movies in the main Scream film series, through Scream 7 (2026).
- Release order is the best way to watch the films for the first time.
- Scream (2022) is the fifth installment, not a remake of the 1996 film.
- The Scream television series and fictional Stab movies are not included in the movie count.
Table of contents
- How Many Scream Movies Are There? All 7 Films in Order
- Key takeaways
- Table of contents
- All Scream Movies in Release Order
- Why do some lists say there are six Scream movies?
- What Order Should You Watch the Scream Movies In?
- Is Scream (2022) a Remake or Scream 5?
- Does the Scream TV Series Count?
- Do You Need to Watch Every Movie?
- The Bottom Line
All Scream Movies in Release Order
There are seven movies in the main Scream film series, from Scream (1996) through Scream 7 (2026). The seventh film opened in U.S. theaters on February 27, 2026, bringing the released-movie count from six to seven, according to Paramount’s Scream viewing guide.
If you’re planning your first watch, release order is the best place to start. One title can make the list confusing: the fifth movie is officially called Scream, just like the original. Using the release years—1996 and 2022—keeps them distinct.
Paramount’s franchise guide lists these seven films:
| Order | Movie | Release year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scream | 1996 |
| 2 | Scream 2 | 1997 |
| 3 | Scream 3 | 2000 |
| 4 | Scream 4 | 2011 |
| 5 | Scream | 2022 |
| 6 | Scream VI | 2023 |
| 7 | Scream 7 | 2026 |
This count covers the main feature-film series only. It doesn’t include the Scream television series or the fictional Stab movies that appear within the films.
Why do some lists say there are six Scream movies?
Six was the correct count before Scream 7 opened in theaters. Scream VI (2023) was the sixth installment, so older articles and watch-order guides may stop there.
The distinction is between a film being announced and actually being released. Here, the seven-film count includes Scream 7 as a released theatrical movie, not merely a planned sequel.
What Order Should You Watch the Scream Movies In?
For a first viewing, watch the seven films in the order shown above. There’s no separate prequel sequence you need to work out.
Scream combines slasher mysteries with commentary on horror movies and their conventions. Each installment has its own central mystery, but returning characters, relationships, and references connect the films. Release order lets those connections unfold naturally.
It also helps you avoid accidental spoilers. A later film can discuss events from an earlier installment even when its own mystery is new. Starting with the original gives you the clearest introduction to the series without needing to read plot summaries first.
You don’t need an elaborate viewing plan: start with Scream (1996), continue through Scream 4, then watch Scream (2022), Scream VI, and Scream 7.
Is Scream (2022) a Remake or Scream 5?
Scream (2022) is the fifth installment, not a remake of the 1996 movie. Paramount includes it between Scream 4 and Scream VI in its official franchise list.
You’ll often see it called “Scream 5” informally because that makes its position easier to understand. Its official title, however, is simply Scream.
The film continues the existing series while introducing a new generation of characters. That makes it a continuation rather than a replacement for the original—and it absolutely counts toward the seven-movie total.
When searching for it, use “Scream 2022” rather than the title alone. Likewise, search for “Scream 1996” when you want the first film.
Does the Scream TV Series Count?
No. The Scream television series is a separate screen adaptation, not another feature-film installment.
That distinction matters because a search for the franchise can bring up both films and television episodes. If your question is “How many Scream movies are there?”, the answer remains seven; adding television seasons or episodes would mix two different categories.
The fictional Stab franchise also doesn’t add to the total. Those movies exist within the world of Scream, rather than as separate entries in the real-world film series.
Do You Need to Watch Every Movie?
You can follow an individual film’s immediate story without remembering every detail of the franchise. Still, watching in order is the better choice if you want the full context.
The series repeatedly revisits its own history, so earlier movies help explain why certain characters, locations, and references matter. Skipping ahead may also reveal outcomes from films you haven’t seen.
For someone simply deciding where to begin, the answer is straightforward: choose Scream (1996). The 2022 film may share its title, but it occupies a much later point in the series.
The Bottom Line
There are seven released Scream movies, ending with Scream 7 (2026). Watch them in release order, remember that Scream (2022) is the fifth film rather than a remake, and keep the television series separate from the movie count.
