‘Scream 7’ Slays Box Office, Scaring Up $60 Million+ Opening

The latest installment in the Scream franchise has delivered a record-breaking opening weekend, exceeding all expectations and revitalizing Paramount’s box office performance. Scream 7 is on track to earn over $60 million domestically, marking the biggest launch of the year to date and a franchise best.

Record-Breaking Debut

Friday’s box office haul reached $28.8 million, including $7.8 million from Thursday previews. This surpasses the previous record held by Scream VI, which opened with $5.7 million in previews. The film is playing in 3,540 theaters across North America and is rolling out in 52 international markets, including Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom, with seven additional markets to follow.

Paramount and Spyglass Celebrate Success

Paramount initially forecasted a $40 million launch for the slasher film, but tracking suggested a potential $45 million opening. The success of Scream 7 is a significant win for the new leadership at Paramount, Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, who inherited the project and successfully brought it to fruition alongside Spyglass Media. The film is co-financed by Spyglass Media and Paramount, with a net budget of $45 million.

Neve Campbell’s Return and Creative Shift

A key element of the film’s success is the return of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, after sitting out Scream VI due to a salary dispute. Kevin Williamson, the writer of the original Scream (1996), directed the seventh installment, marking his first time directing in the series since Scream 4 (2011). The story centers on Sidney and her daughter, Tatum (Isabel May), as they face a new Ghostface killer.

Controversy and Casting Changes

The production of Scream 7 was not without its challenges. Melissa Barrera was fired from the film due to her social media posts regarding the Israel-Hamas war. Jenna Ortega had previously left the project voluntarily. Christopher Landon, initially set to direct, also exited following the backlash over Barrera’s firing. Despite these changes, the film has resonated with audiences.

Fan-Favorite Returns and Imax Debut

In addition to Campbell, Courteney Cox reprises her role as Gale Weathers. Other returning franchise stars include David Arquette as Dewey Riley, Matthew Lillard as Stu Macher, Scott Foley as Roman Bridger, and siblings Chad and Mindy, played by Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown. Scream 7 is also the first installment in the series to be released in Imax and other premium formats.

Global Performance and Future Outlook

Globally, Scream 7 is projected to earn over $80 million. Although audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes are slightly lower than those of Scream 5 and Scream VI (currently at 78% audience score compared to 90% for Scream VI), the film’s strong opening suggests a successful theatrical run. Critics gave the film a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Other Box Office Successes

Alongside Scream 7, Neon and Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley documentary is also performing well, with an estimated opening of $7 to $8 million.