Scream 7 Reviews, Post-Credit Scene Explained, and the Full Scary Movie Franchise Ranked
Scream 7 hit theaters on Thursday, February 27, 2026, bringing Sidney Prescott back to the big screen after years away. Critics have delivered their harshest verdict yet on the long-running scary movie franchise, but audiences are showing up anyway. Here is everything you need to know — reviews, the post-credit scene fully explained, and where every Scream film ranks.
Scream 7 Reviews: Lowest Critical Score in Franchise History
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. Critics called the film an uninspired retread that leans too heavily on nostalgia without delivering the sharp self-aware energy that made the original scary movie series so beloved.
Despite the negative critical reception, Scream 7 opened with strong early box office performance. 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. The divide between critics and fans mirrors the same split that has defined horror franchises for decades — and Scream 7 may yet survive it.
Does Scream 7 Have a Post-Credit Scene? Yes — Here Is What Happens
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. Stay for the mid-credits moment and you can leave without missing a thing once it ends.
The mid-credits scene focuses on Mindy Meeks-Martin giving a live television report about the Ghostface incident. Chad Meeks-Martin is shown helping out with the report as the cameraman. Mindy keeps flubbing her intro, and after her last take, Chad admits he forgot to hit record. It is a funny, low-stakes coda that closes out the film with warmth rather than franchise baiting.
Scream 7 Post-Credit Scene: A Passing of the Torch, Not a Sequel Tease
The mid-credits scene in Scream 7 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. Gale, who has always been the one rushing to cover the Ghostface story, steps aside and lets Mindy take the camera.
The scene does not have any new plot information. There is no new villain that emerges, nor is any loose end from the story pursued. The mid-credits scene does not set up a sequel. For a scary movie franchise built on meta-commentary, the decision to make the credits scene about character rather than commerce is itself a statement.
Scream 7 Plot: Sidney Prescott Returns to a Quiet Life — Until Ghostface Finds Her Again
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. The new Ghostface shatters that peace, pulling Sidney back into the nightmare she has spent three decades trying to escape.
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. Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original Scream in 1996 and directed Scream 7, has confirmed early discussions about future installments with Neve Campbell.
Every Scream Movie Ranked: From Scream 1 to Scream 7
Here is how the entire scary movie franchise stacks up critically and culturally from best to worst:
| Film | Year | Rotten Tomatoes | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scream 1 | 1996 | 79% | The original. Wes Craven reinvents horror |
| Scream 2 | 1997 | 81% | Rare sequel that matched the original |
| Scream 5 | 2022 | 76% | Radio Silence reboot with legacy cast |
| Scream 6 | 2023 | 76% | First franchise post-credit scene |
| Scream 4 | 2011 | 59% | Wes Craven's final Scream |
| Scream 3 | 2000 | 39% | Hollywood satire misfires |
| Scream 7 | 2026 | 35-41% | Franchise low — critics split from fans |
What Comes Next for the Scream Scary Movie Franchise
Series creator Kevin Williamson has confirmed he has been brainstorming ideas with Neve Campbell about potential future installments. Paramount Pictures will likely greenlight continuation if audience interest sustains through the weekend. The mid-credits scene strongly implies Mindy Meeks-Martin could anchor a future chapter, with Isabel May's Tatum Prescott also positioned as a potential new lead.
The Scream franchise has never relied on post-credits baiting to keep audiences invested. Each film traditionally ends with Ghostface unmasked and the survivors processing yet another round of trauma, leaving the future wide open without demanding one. Whether Scream 7 marks the end of an era or merely a stumble in a franchise with thirty years of staying power, the scary movie that started it all in 1996 has proven time and again that Ghostface is very difficult to kill for good.
