‘Scream 7’ Slashes Franchise Preview Record With $7.8 Million

Ghostface is back — and audiences are showing up.

“Scream 7” has earned a franchise-record $7.8 million in preview screenings, beating the $5.7 million preview total of 2023’s “Scream 6.” The R-rated horror film is now expected to open between $40 million and $50 million this weekend. If it lands on the higher end, it could set a new opening-weekend record for the long-running slasher series. The current record is held by “Scream 6,” which debuted with $44 million.

The strong start is good news for Paramount and Spyglass. The seventh film faced a year-long delay that pushed its budget to $45 million, up from $35 million for the previous movie.

Franchise star Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott after skipping “Scream 6” due to a pay dispute. In the new film, Sidney must protect her daughter, Tatum (Isabel May), from the latest Ghostface killer. Courteney Cox also returns as Gale Weathers, alongside Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding.

However, Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega do not appear in the new movie. Barrera was fired in 2023 after posting comments on social media about the Israel-Gaza conflict. Ortega later exited due to scheduling conflicts with her Netflix series “Wednesday.”

The film also saw changes behind the camera. Director Christopher Landon stepped away following online backlash. Franchise creator Kevin Williamson took over directing duties, marking his directorial debut, and co-wrote the script with Guy Busick.

Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, “Scream 7” appears ready to make noise at the box office.