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Scream 7 is off to a strong start at the box office, earning a franchise-best $7.8 million in Thursday night previews.
The R-rated horror sequel, released by Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group, has already surpassed the $5.7 million preview total set by Scream VI.
Industry tracking indicates Scream 7 is projected to open between $40 million and $50 million domestically, with some estimates suggesting it could exceed expectations. If it lands at the higher end of projections, the film could set a new franchise record for biggest opening weekend. The current benchmark is held by Scream VI, which debuted to $44 million in 2023.
The latest installment brings Ghostface back to terrorize Woodsboro, continuing the long-running slasher franchise that began in 1996. Strong preview numbers suggest sustained audience interest in the horror series, particularly among younger moviegoers and franchise loyalists.
The film’s performance is especially notable given its reported $45 million production budget, which increased following a year-long delay. By comparison, Scream VI was produced for approximately $35 million. A solid opening weekend could position Scream 7 for profitability early in its theatrical run.
As the horror genre continues to perform reliably at the box office, Scream 7 appears poised to maintain the franchise’s momentum and potentially deliver its most successful debut to date.
In March 2024, Campbell posted on her Instagram account that she would return as Sidney. She also confirmed that Kevin Williamson, writer and producer of previous Scream films, would direct from a script by Guy Busick, based on a story by Busick and James Vanderbilt. Campbell’s return was supported by many of her movie colleagues, including David Arquette. Later that month, Courteney Cox and Dempsey were in talks to reprise their respective roles as Gale Weathers and Kincaid. It was reported that Campbell was paid $7 million and Cox $2 million.
In November, Isabel May was cast to portray Sidney’s daughter. In December, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Mckenna Grace, Sam Rechner, and Anna Camp joined the cast in undisclosed roles. That same month, Mason Gooding and Cox signed on to reprise their roles from the previous films. Dempsey said scheduling conflicts and the California wildfires prevented him from joining the film. In January 2025, it was announced that Roger L. Jackson would return as the voice of Ghostface and Jasmin Savoy Brown would reprise her role from the previous two films, with Joel McHale cast as Sidney’s husband, and Mark Consuelos joining in an undisclosed role. Matthew Lillard and Scott Foley were also cast in the film, who previously portrayed Stu Macher and Roman Bridger in Scream (1996) and Scream 3, respectively. In February, Ethan Embry joined the cast.
In March, David Arquette was confirmed to reprise his role as Dewey Riley, a character killed in Scream (2022), alongside Michelle Randolph and Jimmy Tatro in undisclosed roles. Tim Simons was revealed as part of the cast in October 2025.
