Scream 7 is in theaters now. Directed by franchise creator Kevin Williamson and released nationwide Friday, February 27, 2026, the seventh Ghostface film brings back Sidney Prescott, Gale Weathers, and a roster of beloved legacy characters — while earning the lowest critical scores in the franchise's 30-year history. Here is the complete breakdown.

Scream 7 Reviews: Franchise-Low Critical Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, 35% of 103 critics' reviews are positive, while Metacritic assigned the film a score of 37 out of 100 based on 35 critics — indicating generally unfavorable reviews. Both scores represent the lowest in the franchise's history.

Despite the negative critical reception, Scream 7 opened with strong early box office performance. Paramount Pictures will likely greenlight continuation if audience interest sustains through the weekend. Neve Campbell's return as Sidney Prescott has been the most universally praised element across nearly every review, with audiences responding far more warmly than critics.

Scream 7 Plot: Stu Macher Is Alive and Coming for Tatum

In Pine Grove, Indiana, Sidney Prescott has built a new life. She is married to police officer Mark Evans, runs a coffeehouse, and looks after her children, including her teenage daughter Tatum, named after Sidney's late best friend Tatum Riley. Sidney receives a call from Ghostface, who reveals himself as an aged and scarred Stu, announcing he is going after Tatum and is standing outside the theater where she and her classmates are rehearsing.

The film concludes with a confrontation between two Ghostface killers and Sidney Prescott and her daughter at their home. After both Ghostface killers perish in a gruesome fashion, Gale Weathers — now an independent reporter — shows up at the scene with her two interns Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin.

Does Scream 7 Have a Post-Credits Scene? Yes — But Only Mid-Credits

Here is the definitive answer. Scream 7 has a mid-credits scene after the traditional cast photos — but there is absolutely nothing after the credits finish completely. You do not need to sit through the entire rolling credits.

The mid-credits scene focuses on Mindy Meeks-Martin and Gale Weathers. In usual fashion, the Ghostface killings become top news stories, and as she typically does, Gale is ready to tackle the news report herself — until Mindy asks to do it instead. Chad, now Mindy's cameraman, readies his sister for her big debut, but Mindy keeps flubbing her intro — and after her last take, Chad admits he forgot to hit record.

What the Scream 7 Mid-Credits Scene Actually Means

The mid-credits scene brings together Mindy Meeks-Martin and Gale Weathers for a passing-of-the-torch moment, emphasizing the transition to a younger generation of storytellers within the franchise. It is closure, not a sequel tease.

The Mindy and Chad moment feels earned after watching their character development throughout the film's 114-minute runtime. Kevin Williamson positioned it as a satisfying epilogue rather than a teaser — it contains zero cliffhangers, no mysterious Ghostface reveal, and no setup for Scream 8.

The Complete Scream Franchise Rankings and Box Office History

The Scream franchise spans seven films across 30 years. The original 1996 Scream directed by Wes Craven is widely considered a landmark of modern horror and remains the gold standard for the series. Scream 2 followed in 1997, Scream 3 in 2000, and Scream 4 in 2011 before the franchise went dormant for over a decade. The Radio Silence reboot in 2022 — simply titled Scream — revived the series, followed by Scream VI in 2023. Scream 7 is a direct sequel to Scream VI, directed by Kevin Williamson from a screenplay he co-wrote with Guy Busick.

Is Scream 8 Happening? Kevin Williamson and Neve Campbell Are Already Talking

Series creator Kevin Williamson has confirmed he has been brainstorming ideas with Neve Campbell about potential future installments. The new film could serve as either a fitting conclusion to the 30-year-old franchise or as the springboard for Sidney's daughter Tatum, played by Isabel May, to take the lead in future sequels. Whether Ghostface returns entirely depends on what happens at the box office this weekend.