Scream 7 Brings Back Neve Campbell, But Lacks Sharp Thrills

The latest installment in the long-running slasher franchise delivers more of the same familiar formula.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The seventh entry in the Scream horror movie series brings back original final girl Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell, as her daughter Tatum (Isabel May) becomes the latest target of the Ghostface killer. While the film features some humor and a few new faces, it largely sticks to the well-worn franchise formula, leaving critics feeling the series has lost its edge.

Why it matters

The Scream franchise has been a reliable box office draw, with the previous six films grossing over $1 billion combined. However, this latest installment faces the challenge of keeping the series feeling fresh after multiple sequels, as audiences may grow tired of the same old tricks.

The details

Scream 7 follows the familiar pattern of the franchise, with a meta-opening featuring characters discussing horror movie tropes, the return of legacy character Sidney Prescott, and a new crop of young victims for the Ghostface killer to target. While the film tries to inject some humor, particularly through an appearance by comedian Jimmy Tatro, the plot details are largely indistinguishable from previous Scream movies. Director Kevin Williamson, who wrote the first Scream and several other entries, stepped in to helm this latest sequel after the studio fired the previous director.

  • Scream 7 is set to be released in theaters on Friday, February 27, 2026.

The players

Neve Campbell

The actress who has played the lead role of Sidney Prescott in the Scream franchise since the original 1996 film.

Isabel May

The actress who plays Sidney's daughter Tatum in Scream 7.

Kevin Williamson

The writer who penned the original Scream film and several other entries in the franchise, and who stepped in to direct Scream 7 after the previous director was fired.

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What they’re saying

“Everything old is new again as Sidney (Neve Campbell) returns after a one-film absence — and just like that, her daughter, Tatum (Isabel May of '1883'), is a teen now. Thus cometh new Ghostface killers, a fresh crop of kids to puncture and fan service galore.”

— Michael Ordoña, Critic (San Francisco Chronicle)

“The details of the plot are not particularly important or distinguishable from previous entries. There is a touch more humor than in the last two films, largely because of an amusing appearance by Jimmy Tatro. Campbell has settled nicely into an older, wiser groove.”

— Michael Ordoña, Critic (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Scream 7 is expected to be a box office draw, with projections of a $60 million opening weekend, despite concerns that the franchise may be growing stale. The performance of this latest installment will likely determine whether the series continues with additional sequels.

The takeaway

While the Scream franchise has been a reliable moneymaker, Scream 7 suggests the series may be running out of fresh ideas, relying too heavily on nostalgia and familiar tropes rather than delivering truly innovative horror thrills. The film's success or failure could shape the future direction of the long-running slasher series.