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Sidney Today
By the People, for the People
Scream 7 Crashes to Franchise-Low Rotten Tomatoes Score
The latest installment in the slasher series hits theaters with the worst reviews in the franchise's history.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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Scream 7 is slicing into U.S. theaters this weekend with a franchise-low Rotten Tomatoes score of 43% from 40 reviews, making it the worst-reviewed entry in the long-running slasher series. Despite the return of legacy characters like Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), as well as the addition of new cast members like Isabel May and Joel McHale, the film has failed to impress critics.
Why it matters
The Scream franchise has long been a reliable horror staple, with the previous two installments, Scream (2022) and Scream VI, receiving generally positive reviews. This sharp drop in critical reception for Scream 7 is a significant setback for the series, which has struggled to maintain momentum after the departure of key creative talent behind the scenes.
The details
Scream 7 sees the return of Sidney Prescott as she is drawn back into the Ghostface killings, this time targeting her daughter in her new hometown. The film is directed by franchise veteran Kevin Williamson, who previously wrote the first four Scream movies. However, the script rewrites and behind-the-scenes changes, including the departures of directors Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, appear to have taken a toll on the final product.
- Scream 7 hits U.S. theaters this weekend (February 27, 2026).
- The Rotten Tomatoes review embargo just lifted ahead of the film's release.
The players
Neve Campbell
An American actress who reprises her role as Sidney Prescott, the protagonist of the Scream franchise.
Courteney Cox
An American actress who returns as Gale Weathers, a news reporter and one of the main characters in the Scream series.
Kevin Williamson
An American screenwriter and producer who has written several Scream films, including Scream 7, and is directing the latest installment.
Isabel May
An American actress who joins the Scream cast as a new character, Tatum Evans.
Joel McHale
An American comedian, actor, and television host who has a role in Scream 7 as Mark Evans.
What’s next
Audiences will have the chance to weigh in on the film's quality when Scream 7 opens in theaters this weekend. The franchise's future will likely depend on how the film performs at the box office and whether it can win over fans despite the poor critical reception.
The takeaway
The Scream franchise has hit a rough patch with the release of Scream 7, which is the lowest-rated entry in the series on Rotten Tomatoes. This setback comes after the previous two films in the franchise were well-received, highlighting the challenges of maintaining quality and momentum in a long-running horror series.
