Three decades after the original horror hit theaters, Scream 7 delivered the biggest debut in franchise history, pulling in an estimated $64.1 million domestically over the weekend. The performance exceeded expectations and marked the strongest opening of 2026 so far, The Associated Press reported Sunday.
The Paramount (PSKY) release, produced for about $45 million, benefited from the return of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, along with original cast members Courteney Cox, David Arquette and Matthew Lillard. The previous high-water mark for the series had been Scream VI, which opened to $44.4 million, according to data compiled by Comscore.
Despite weak reviews including a 34% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a “B-” CinemaScore from audiences, the film capitalized on brand recognition and premium large-format screens. Roughly 40% of ticket sales came from IMAX (IMAX) and other premium formats, giving the film a pricing boost previous installments didn’t enjoy. Overseas, it added another $33.1 million.
The strong showing is a bright spot for Paramount during a relatively soft year at the box office. It also comes as the studio’s parent company moves forward with a planned merger with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), pending regulatory approval.
Last weekend’s leader, Sony’s (SONY) animated film GOAT, slipped to second place with $12 million in its third frame, bringing its domestic total to $74 million. Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights adaptation took third with $7 million, lifting its three-week total to $72.3 million.
Among new releases, the concert film Twenty One Pilots: More Than We Ever Imagined opened with $3.7 million, while EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert added $3.5 million in its second weekend.
Top 10 Domestic (U.S. and Canada) Box Office (Estimated)
-
Scream 7 – $64.1 million
-
GOAT – $12 million
-
Wuthering Heights – $7 million
-
Twenty One Pilots: More Than We Ever Imagined – $3.7 million
-
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert – $3.5 million
-
Crime 101 – $3.4 million
-
I Can Only Imagine 2 – $3.1 million
-
Send Help – $2.8 million
-
How to Make a Killing – $1.6 million
-
Zootopia 2 – $1.4 million