The Scary Movie franchise is proving that audiences still have an appetite for outrageous parody comedy. The rebooted installment opened with an estimated $7.7 million in preview screenings, putting it in the same conversation as some of the biggest recent horror-comedy openings. The impressive figure has surprised many industry observers, especially considering the franchise has been absent from theaters for more than a decade. According to early box office reports, the film’s preview earnings are nearing the levels achieved by Scream 7 and are outperforming several recent R-rated comedy releases.
The strong start suggests that nostalgia, combined with the return of key franchise faces, is drawing audiences back to theaters. The new film reunites core franchise stars Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans, bringing back the comedic chemistry that helped turn the original movies into pop culture staples.
While critics haven’t been particularly enthusiastic about the reboot, audiences appear to be having a much better time. Early audience scores have significantly outpaced critic ratings, highlighting a familiar trend for broad comedies that often connect more strongly with moviegoers than reviewers.
The film’s success is especially notable in a crowded marketplace. Scary Movie is currently competing against several high-profile releases, including Masters of the Universe and The Amazing Digital Circus, yet it has still managed to generate considerable opening-day momentum.
Industry analysts had initially projected the movie to open in the $40 million to $45 million range domestically. However, after the strong preview performance, expectations are beginning to rise as the weekend unfolds. The franchise first launched in 2000 and quickly became one of Hollywood’s most successful parody series, earning hundreds of millions worldwide while spoofing everything from Scream and The Sixth Sense to The Ring and Saw.
Now, years after its last theatrical outing, Scary Movie appears to have found its audience once again. Whether the reboot can maintain its momentum throughout the weekend remains to be seen, but one thing is already clear: the franchise’s return is no joke at the box office.