Scary Movie returns in 2026 with director Michael Tiddes and a largely original cast reunited, including Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Dave Sheridan, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott, and others. The film attempts to revive the franchise by spoofing a new wave of horror titles and modern genre trends, including Scream 5, Scream VI, Halloween, Ma, Get Out, Smile, M3GAN, Weapons, The Substance, and Terrifier. It positions itself as a return to the irreverent, boundary-pushing style that made the early Scary Movie films cultural hits.
The review argues that the revival fails to capture the energy or sharpness of the first two films. While the original Scary Movie was praised for its bold parody of horror and slasher tropes, and Scary Movie 2 continued that momentum, the series reportedly declined after Hollywood took control with later entries. In this assessment, Scary Movie 6 is seen as an unnecessary reboot that should not have progressed beyond the pitch stage.
The criticism focuses heavily on the film’s execution, calling the humor uneven, outdated, and overly reliant on material already revealed in trailers. The review says many of the movie’s strongest jokes were spoiled in marketing, while references to COVID-era culture and old franchise callbacks felt forced and awkward. It suggests the film frequently leans on nostalgia without finding a fresh comedic voice.
Character performances receive mixed to harsh treatment. Marlon Wayans’ Shorty is described as tired and overly dependent on familiar catchphrases, while Shawn Wayans’ Gay Ray is portrayed as confusing and awkward. Returning characters Gail Hailstorm and Doofy are also dismissed as irritating rather than funny. The review singles out Olivia Rose Keegan as trying hard to echo Anna Faris’ early Scary Movie persona, but concludes the impression does not work well enough to justify the performance. Other newer cast members are mentioned briefly and unfavorably.
Despite a few isolated laugh-out-loud moments, the review states that the screening was largely silent, with the audience barely reacting. The overall tone is one of frustration, embarrassment, and disappointment, with the film described as crude without being clever and nostalgic without being effective. The review concludes that the franchise should be laid to rest rather than continued, making clear that this latest installment is viewed as a failed attempt to recapture what once made Scary Movie successful.
