Scream 7 breaks franchise box office record with $7.8 million preview-night pull

Despite a low Rotten Tomatoes score, the latest installment in the horror franchise is on track for a big opening weekend.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Scream 7, the latest film in the long-running horror franchise, has broken the series' box office record for a preview night, grossing $7.8 million. This surpasses the previous record held by Scream 6, which earned $5.7 million in previews. The new film is also projected to have a massive opening weekend, with estimates ranging from $50 million to $60 million worldwide.

Why it matters

The strong box office performance of Scream 7 is noteworthy, given that the film has received a relatively low 35% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This suggests that the franchise's loyal fanbase is still turning out in force, despite mixed critical reception. The return of original stars like Neve Campbell and Matthew Lillard has also generated significant excitement among fans.

The details

Scream 7 marks the return of several beloved characters from the franchise, including Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), and Dewey (David Arquette). The film follows Sidney, who is now married and living in the town of Pine Grove with her daughter, as Ghostface once again sets his sights on the Prescott family.

  • Scream 7 was released in theaters on March 1, 2026.

The players

Scream 7

The seventh installment in the long-running Scream horror franchise.

Neve Campbell

An actress who reprises her role as Sidney Prescott, the main protagonist of the Scream series.

Matthew Lillard

An actor who returns as Stu Macher, a character from the original Scream film.

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What’s next

Scream 7 is currently in theaters, and it will be interesting to see if it can maintain its strong box office performance in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The success of Scream 7's preview night, despite its mixed critical reception, demonstrates the enduring popularity of the Scream franchise and the power of nostalgia to draw in audiences. This could pave the way for future installments in the series, even if they don't necessarily receive the highest critical acclaim.