Scary Movie (2026) – Review and Summary

As Scary Movie parodies and critiques others, it seemingly doesn’t realize it’s a reboot, just as stuck in the past – for better or worse.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

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“Scary Movie” Film Details

  • Director(s): Michael Tiddes
  • Writer(s): Rick Alvarez, Craig Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans
  • Based On Work By: Phil Beauman, Jason Friedberg, Buddy Johnson, Aaron Seltzer
  • Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 36 Minutes
  • Public Release Date (In Theaters): June 5, 2026
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Horror
  • Content Rating: Rated R
  • Primary Language: English
  • Images © of / Courtesy Of Paramount Pictures

Movie Summary

Scary Movie returns to the Wayans Brothers, and they use 2022’s Scream as the foundation. There is a new generation of cast members introduced, with various members of the first two Scary Movie entries popping up.

Some, like Cindy and Brenda, are parents to this new generation. Others, like Shorty and Ray, haven’t changed a bit – despite it being over a decade since we last saw them. But, alongside them, and other familiar faces, there is Ghostface, who, while he has a soft spot for Shorty, has absolutely no issue making sure the rest can’t come back for another sequel.

Cast and Characters

Cindy (Anna Faris)

  • Character Summary: Since we last saw her, Cindy has had two children, and because of her paranoia over Ghostface trying to kill her, similar to Darlene in Final Destination: Bloodlines, she has set traps all over her home. Also, for reasons that go unexplained, she is a republican now.

Brenda (Regina Hall)

  • Character Summary: Brenda is living pretty good. She is living in a house that looks like it belongs to a Tyler Perry movie, her kids are doing well, and while Ray and Shorty are still a hot mess, she has nothing but fun day to day.

Shorty (Marlon Wayans)

  • Character Summary: Ain’t much change when it comes to Shorty. He still likes to get high, but now, for income, he is a streamer.

Ray (Shawn Wayans)

  • Character Summary: Ray is still struggling with his sexuality. He may verbally say and shout he isn’t gay no more in church, but he still says suspect things. Never mind, he still dresses up sometimes in ways that make it clear what he wants people to see him as and what he is, may never match up.

Review and Commentary

Highlight(s)

There Are Funny Moments Throughout [82/100]

Like most people, I am easily taken by nostalgia, and while the Wayans Brothers as a brand isn’t as strong as it was in the 90s, they have built up more than enough of a reputation to check out what they put out.

The return of the family to the franchise, rather than Marlon doing solo spoof projects, starts off strong as they spoof Wednesday and Final Destination, and the dynamic between Sidney (Cindy in Scary Movie) and her daughter, as seen in Scream 7. Add in the type of jokes that will tickle your immature side, especially if you like sex jokes, and you’ll think the movie will be everything Marlon has been hyping it up to be on the press tour.

Low Point(s)

The Shtick Gets Old With Shorty and Ray [67/100]

It should be noted that storylines aren’t the strong suit or perhaps even the focus of Scary Movie. It’s about the individual scenes, which could get a laugh, that are strung together just enough to make something coherent. Think of it the same way you would an action movie. The gun fights, chases, the things which make an action movie worth seeing are what got the most time and attention – the story and dialog are secondary and treated as filler.

The same could be said of Scary Movie. This is an hour-and-a-half movie, and unfortunately, the elder Wayans seemingly wanted to use this to remind people of why they are a legendary comedic family, rather than highlight the next generation. Also, despite decades of experience gained, it can feel like there isn’t much in the way of evolution.

Now, let it be clear, Brenda and Cindy still get to make hilarious moments, and they drive the film’s storyline. But, while those two are consistently funny and bring more than just jokes throughout the film, Shorty and Ray seem stuck on the same joke, told in slightly different contexts.

Sometimes, it feels almost like the characters were obligations to have, since they have become so iconic. So, Ray making jokes about not being gay, while saying the most suspect things, and dressing in ways that push the idea he is on the down low? All still there. Shorty? He smokes a lot, laughs a lot, and presents himself as someone with arrested development.

This would be fine if you didn’t see Brenda and Cindy evolve as characters, beyond becoming mothers. But because they get some form of development, it makes Ray and Shorty not only stuck with the same kind of jokes, but their characters stuck in 2001. This makes their scenes get old fast, especially if you’ve watched the first two movies countless times.

And let me say, considering the film has a trans male character, as part of the new generation, it can seem like a missed opportunity for Shorty, or even Ray, to not have more of an interaction with them. Be it Ray addressing his issues through his kid, or Shorty playing out what Marlon went through directly, rather than passing that off to a disposable character.

Overall

Our Rating (74/100): Mixed (Divisive)

Scary Movie needed the Wayans behind the scenes, but I would submit that when it comes to being in front of the camera? Most flail like Shawn and Marlon do. They have a few good moments, reminding you why the Wayans brand has existed for around 40 years. But, we’re also reminded of the shift the brand has experienced since it started.

Hence the mixed label. While Scary Movie certainly taps into nostalgia and will make you laugh throughout, it doesn’t feel as quotable or iconic as past entries. It almost seems to be unaware that its own criticisms of reboots and lack of original ideas are a critique of itself. Not as a parody film, but a franchise trying to remind people of the good times, with no means, promise, or desire to say better days are ahead.

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been reviewing media since 2010. He approaches each production with hope, rooting for every story to succeed, and believes criticism should come from unmet potential, while praise is reserved for work that meets or exceeds expectations.