Scream VI: release date, review, trailer, cast and everything we know about the horror sequel

Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega in Scream VI
Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega in Scream VI (Image credit: Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media)

Who's ready for another Scream movie? Yes, Scream, aka Scream (2022) or Scream 5, came out in January 2022, but it proved to be a favorite with both audiences and critics (read What to Watch's Scream review). So it should be little surprise that a sequel was quickly announced and fast-tracked. As a result, audiences are going to get Scream VI a little more than a year after the most recent addition to the long-running horror franchise.

The first Scream came out in 1996, directed by Wes Craven and starring Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette and others. There were three sequels before this latest Scream — dubbed a "requel" (reboot/sequel) by its meta script —came out. Does that make Scream 6 a requel sequel? (Sorry.)

Anyway, here is everything we know so far about Scream 6. FYI, some SPOILERS ahead as we have to mention a few details to the plot of Scream (2022).

Scream VI release date

Scream VI hits theaters on March 10. That puts the new movie out about 14 months after Scream (2022), which premiered in movie theaters on January 14, 2022.

Paramount Plus and Spyglass Media have announced a special fan event taking place on Thursday, March 9, where people can be the first to see the movie in 3D. Tickets for the fan event and normal screenings of Scream VI are now available right here.

Scream VI trailer

The full trailer for Scream VI has arrived, promising a new type of Ghostface stalking our main characters. Check out the full trailer and the previously released teaser trailer directly below:

Scream VI is also going to have a spot during the Super Bowl. But you can check it out here first:

Then, just days ahead of the movie's release, Paramount released a final trailer with a number of quotes from critics praising the movie, including one quote calling it "the perfect movie." Check out that trailer right here:

Scream 6 cast

The survivors of Scream (2022) are set to return for another bout with Ghostface, as Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding and Wednesday star Jenna Ortega are all set to reprise their roles.

Barrera played the new main character, Sam, who was revealed to be the biological daughter of original Scream killer Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich); Ortega played Sam's sister Tara (though she isn't related to Billy). Brown and Gooding also have connections to the original movies, as their twin siblings, Mindy and Chad, are the niece and nephew of Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy).

Joining the new generation of characters is going to be a blast from the past, as Hayden Panettiere is set to reprise her Scream 4 character, Kirby Reed, in the latest movie. 

As far as other legacy Scream characters, Neve Campbell is not going to appear in Scream VI, but Courtney Cox is set to return for the next chapter.

Other new cast members include Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend's Wedding), Tony Revolori (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Samara Weaving (Ready or Not) Jack Champion (Avatar: The Way of Water), Henry Czerny (Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning), Liana Liberato (A Million Little Things), Devyn Nekoda (Ginny & Georgia) and Josh Segarra (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law)

Scream VI plot

Scream VI follows the four survivors of 2022's Scream as they must face Ghostface once again. Here is the official synopsis:

"Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter."

From the poster, we learn that the characters are heading to New York City.

Scream VI poster

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Scream VI reviews — what the critics are saying

The word is in on Scream VI. WTW's own Scream VI review says the movie delivers with plenty of satisfying, gory kills and further building out its new "Core 4," but acknowledges the meta-commentary angle of the franchise may have been impacted by the short turnaround between movies.

The Scream VI Rotten Tomatoes score has most critics giving it a thumbs up, as it scores a "Fresh" 78% as of March 8.

Scream VI director

After Wes Craven directed the first four Scream movies, Scream (2022) was directed by someone other than the legendary horror figure — Radio Silence’s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet. The pair are going to return for Scream 6.

In addition, Scream (2022) writers James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick are back to co-write the new movie.

How long is Scream VI

The runtime for Scream VI clocks in at two hours and three minutes.

What is Scream VI rated?

Scream VI has a rating of R in the US and 18 in the UK for "strong bloody violence and language throughout, and brief drug use."

How to watch Scream movies online

All five Scream movies are available to stream on Paramount Plus, while they are also available to rent online.

Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.