Paramount's 'Scream 7' Slashes Franchise Record with $64.1 Million Debut

The latest installment in the long-running horror series marks the best opening for the franchise.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Paramount's 'Scream 7' debuted with a franchise-best $64.1 million, easily displacing last weekend's champ, the Stephen Curry-produced animated film 'GOAT,' from Sony Pictures. The bigger-than-expected opening is a win for Paramount, which on Friday announced its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The film's success is attributed to the return of original cast members like Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, as well as the studio's commitment to theatrical release.

Why it matters

The strong opening for 'Scream 7' is a positive sign for the box office, which has seen a sluggish start to 2026. The film's performance also highlights the continued appeal of the long-running 'Scream' franchise, which has now spanned seven installments over three decades. Additionally, the opening comes at a pivotal time for Paramount, as the studio prepares to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery, creating a new Hollywood powerhouse.

The details

Directed by Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original 1996 film, 'Scream 7' sees the return of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and her 17-year-old daughter as they are haunted by Ghostface in the suburban community of Pine Grove. The film, which cost $45 million to make, also features the return of original cast members Courteney Cox, David Arquette, and Matthew Lillard. Reviews were mixed, with a 34% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audience scores were also not great, earning a 'B-' CinemaScore.

  • On Friday, Paramount's parent company, Paramount Skydance, announced its intention to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery after Netflix dropped out of negotiations.

The players

Paramount

An American film and television production and distribution company, and the fifth-largest film studio in the world.

Neve Campbell

A Canadian actress who reprised her role as Sidney Prescott in 'Scream 7' after sitting out the previous installment.

Kevin Williamson

The writer of the original 1996 'Scream' film, who stepped in to direct 'Scream 7' and retool the film around Campbell and the original cast.

Courteney Cox

An American actress who reprised her role as Gale Weathers in 'Scream 7'.

David Arquette

An American actor who reprised his role as Dewey Riley in 'Scream 7'.

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What they’re saying

“This is the first time that the new Paramount team has gotten their arms around a movie, not necessarily from the production side but from the marketing and distribution side. It's really an exciting time for the new Paramount.”

— Josh Goldstine, President of global marketing and distribution at Paramount (Breitbart)

“The film's success speaks to the strength of the brand and Ghostface's staying power as an iconic villain. When you put that on the biggest screens in the country, audiences are even more excited to watch it together.”

— Shaun Barber, Head of domestic distribution for Paramount (Breitbart)

What’s next

The deal between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery awaits regulatory approval, which could reshape the media landscape.

The takeaway

The record-breaking debut of 'Scream 7' demonstrates the enduring appeal of the horror franchise and Paramount's commitment to theatrical releases, even as the studio prepares to merge with a larger media conglomerate. This success could signal a turnaround for the box office in 2026 after a sluggish start to the year.