
Scream 6 picks up the chilling narrative of Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega), resonating with the eerie essence found in classic horror films. Following the triumphant return of the franchise with 2022’s Scream, which emerged after an 11-year hiatus since Scream 4, this reboot trilogy successfully birthed a sequel. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Scream 6 transports audiences to New York City where Sam, Tara, Chad (Mason Gooding), and Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) navigate their lives as students at Blackmore University.
Yet, the bustling city life offers no refuge from danger, as a new string of Ghostface killings disrupt their lives. This time, legacy characters Gale (Courteney Cox) and Kirby (Hayden Panettiere) return to aid the new generation. The film turned out to be both a critical and commercial darling, paving the way for a sequel. As Scream 7 is currently in production, with franchise creator Kevin Williamson returning to direct alongside the comeback of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, the horror genre also boasts several companion films that provide diverse takes reminiscent of Scream 6.
10 Cry Wolf
Cry Wolf Was Released In 2005

Directed by Jeff Wadlow, known for other titles like Kick-Ass 2, Truth or Dare, Fantasy Island, and Imaginary, Cry Wolf may not have won over critics, but it proved to be a box office hit, contributing to the 2000s slasher revival. This film intertwines slasher motifs with adolescent themes, much like Scream 6, featuring a captivating plot twist that alters the viewer’s perception of the entire narrative. While some elements may feel outdated, Cry Wolf remains a compelling slasher film to explore.
9 Urban Legend
Urban Legend Was Released In 1998

Directed by Jamie Blanks, Urban Legend introduces audiences to a private school haunted by a killer inspired by well-known folklore. The first victim is a student attacked in a manner evoking an iconic urban legend. As the story unfolds, Paul (Jared Leto), Natalie (Alicia Witt), and others are targeted, with each murder connected to popular urban myths.
Notable for featuring horror legends like Robert Englund and Brad Dourif, Urban Legend shares thematic elements with Scream 6, leveraging serial killings among its college-age characters. The uniqueness of Urban Legend lies in its killer’s reasoning, motivated by popular tales of horror, which adds a fresh twist that distinguishes it from its contemporaries.
8 Totally Killer
Totally Killer Was Released In 2023

Directed by Nahnatchka Khan, Totally Killer blends slasher comedy with a time-travel twist. The narrative follows Jamie (Kiernan Shipka), whose mother becomes a victim of the Sweet 16 Killer on Halloween night, mirroring tragedies of the past. Utilizing her friend’s time machine, Jamie journeys back to 1987 to thwart the killer’s actions and save her mother.
This film masterfully combines horror, sci-fi, and humor, sustaining tension while infusing comic relief. Additionally, the emotional journey undertaken by Jamie adds depth to the storyline, paralleling themes found in Scream 6. Plot twists and a masked killer with a distinct aesthetic further enhance its engaging quality.
7 Happy Death Day
Happy Death Day Was Released In 2017

Happy Death Day is a unique blend of black comedy and slasher horror directed by Christopher Landon. It centers around Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe), a college student trapped in a time loop of her birthday, reliving the day until she identifies her masked killer. Tree’s journey towards uncovering the truth serves as a vehicle for examining deeper secrets and personal struggles.
The film, which received mixed critical reviews yet enjoyed commercial success, praises Rothe’s performance, which balances humor and suspense while also tackling themes of trauma. It’s an original contribution to the genre, renowned for its clever blend of comedy and horror despite a somewhat anticipated plot twist.
6 The Blackening
The Blackening Was Released In 2023

Tim Story directs The Blackening, a black comedy slasher inspired by a short film from 2018. It follows a group of friends celebrating Juneteenth who stumble upon a mysterious board game that tests their “blackness” in sinister ways. Their celebration turns perilous when they realize a killer lurks among them.
This film distinguishes itself through its sharp satire of horror tropes and racial stereotypes, complementing its slasher elements with humor. Although it lacks the visceral murders found in Scream 6, the film captivates with its mystery, ensuring that the suspense remains palpable throughout.
5 Freaky
Freaky Was Released In 2020

Freaky, another slasher comedy by Christopher Landon, follows high school student Millie (Kathryn Newton) as she unwittingly swaps bodies with the Blissfield Butcher (Vince Vaughn) after a fatal encounter. This twist brings comedic charm to the horror narrative, immersing audiences in a race against time to revert the body switch and stop further killings.
Freaky’s blend of emotion, humor, and horror offers an engaging spectacle. Although its mystery aspect differs from Scream 6, the film keeps viewers entertained with its unique premise, complemented by compelling performances that emphasize the film’s comedic undertones amidst the slasher violence.
4 Bodies Bodies Bodies
Bodies Bodies Bodies Was Released In 2022

Directed by Halina Reijn, Bodies Bodies Bodies intertwines horror, comedy, and mystery in a gripping narrative. During a lavish hurricane party, a group of friends engages in a murder-themed game that spins into chaos when one of them ends up dead. The film’s success lies in its humor, star-studded cast, and the palpable tension created within a confined setting.
With its distinctive “whodunit” format and an unexpected twist that invites subsequent viewings, Bodies Bodies Bodies successfully stands apart from its peers. The film maintains an intense atmosphere without necessitating the presence of a masked killer, showcasing that horror can thrive in diverse forms.
3 Hush
Hush Was Released In 2016

Hush is a gripping slasher film from Mike Flanagan that centers on Maddie Young (Kate Siegel), a deaf-mute novelist living in seclusion. The tension escalates when she becomes the target of a masked assailant who methodically taunts her by exploiting her condition. The film’s brilliant sound design amplifies its emotional impact, making silence a powerful tool in building suspense.
Hush diverges from conventional slasher notions by providing a unique perspective through Maddie’s experience. The film transitions from a thriller to a gruesome horror narrative, capturing viewer attention through its claustrophobic atmosphere and character-driven focus, making it an outstanding companion piece to Scream 6.
2 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Was Released In 2024

As a sequel to the beloved 1988 film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton, delves into dark fantasy and horror-comedy realms. It reunites Lydia (Winona Ryder) with her estranged daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who inadvertently enters the Neitherworld following her late father’s death. To navigate this chaotic spiritual landscape, Lydia enlists the help of the eccentric bio-exorcist Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), but his assistance comes at a cost.
While Beetlejuice Beetlejuice isn’t a slasher, it weaves together themes of loss, family, and grief, reminiscent of the emotional threads in Scream 6. This film serves as a delightful counterbalance to the intensity of Scream 6, showcasing different facets of Ortega’s acting range, blending comedic and eerie elements seamlessly.
1 Scream 2
Scream 2 Was Released In 1997

Unquestionably, Scream 2 stands out as an essential companion to Scream 6. Directed by Wes Craven, this sequel follows Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), now a student at Windsor College where her life is once again upended by a new Ghostface killer targeting her, Randy (Jamie Kennedy), Gale, and Dewey (David Arquette).Staying true to the franchise’s hallmark, Scream 2 introduces a significant plot twist during its climactic reveal.
Scream 6 borrows key aspects from Scream 2, including the setting within a different city and featuring students. The revelation of the “Ghostface Shrine” in Scream 6 draws direct connections to Scream 2’s narrative, reiterating how the past continues to haunt the present in increasingly gruesome interpretations.
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