Scary Movie Review: The Wayans Family Brings the Franchise Back to Life

After years of false starts and diminishing returns, Scary Movie finally returns with the ingredient that made the franchise a cultural phenomenon in the first place: the Wayans family.

Directed by Michael Tiddes from a screenplay by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Craig Wayans, and Rick Alvarez, the latest installment reunites the franchise’s most beloved characters for a fresh round of horror parody that gleefully targets modern genre trends while paying tribute to the films that inspired the series.

Twenty-six years after surviving a suspiciously familiar masked killer, Cindy Campbell, Brenda Meeks, Ray Wilkins, and Shorty Meeks find themselves back in the middle of another deadly mystery. This time around, no horror property is off limits. Reboots, remakes, requels, prequels, spin-offs, elevated horror, legacy sequels, and supposedly “final” chapters all find themselves in the film’s crosshairs.

Like the original 2000 classic, "Scary Movie" owes much of its DNA to 2022's "Scream"; fortunately, the filmmakers understand what audiences are paying to see. Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, the film delivers a steady barrage of jokes, sight gags, and pop culture references that come fast and often. Not every punchline lands, but enough of them connect to keep the laughs coming throughout its runtime.

The biggest strength remains the chemistry between the Core Four. Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, and Regina Hall slip back into their iconic roles with ease, reminding audiences why these characters became fan favorites in the first place. Each gets moments to shine, and their shared history provides some of the film’s funniest exchanges. The supporting cast is game as well, while several surprise cameos generate some of the night’s biggest laughs.

Fans should know exactly what they’re signing up for. The Wayans brand of comedy has never been subtle. It’s broad, unapologetically immature, occasionally offensive, and often designed to make viewers laugh and groan at the same time. The franchise’s willingness to push jokes further than most studio comedies remains intact, and that’s ultimately part of its appeal.

My biggest criticism involves the storytelling. While Tiddes keeps the pace moving, there are moments when the film feels more like a collection of comedy sketches than a fully cohesive narrative. It also left me wondering what the Movie might have looked like had Keenen Ivory Wayans returned to the director’s chair. His influence is felt throughout the screenplay, but his visual touch behind the camera is missed.

I was also surprised by the absence of Shannon Elizabeth’s Buffy Gilmore. Given how much modern horror and internet culture intersect, Buffy feels like a character who could have provided plenty of comedic opportunities in 2026. Her omission is noticeable, particularly when other legacy characters like Greg, Doofy and Gail make appearances.

Still, this is easily the strongest “Scary Movie” installment since the Wayans family stepped away from the franchise. More importantly, it’s genuinely funny. In a summer filled with increasingly serious genre fare, sometimes audiences need a movie that wants to make them laugh.

Final Grade: B

“Scary Movie” is now playing in theaters.