IMDb > Scream (1996/I)
Scream
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 58 | slideshow) Videos (see all 7)
Scream (1996) -- A psychopathic serial killer is stalking a group of teens just like in the movies!
Scream (1996) -- A psychopathic serial killer is stalking a group of teens just like in the movies!
Scream (1996) -- A psychopathic serial killer is stalking a group of teens just like in the movies!
Scream (1996) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   84,830 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Kevin Williamson (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Scream on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 December 1996 (USA) more
Tagline:
Don't Answer The Phone. Don't Open The Door. Don't Try To Escape. more
Plot:
A psychopathic serial killer is stalking a group of teens just like in the movies! full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
7 wins & 4 nominations more
User Comments:
Clever, scary and funny - a must-see for horror fans more (739 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Scary Movie (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong graphic horror violence and gore, and for language.
Runtime:
111 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The death of Principal Himbry was added to the film after Bob Weinstein noticed that there was about 30 pages in the script where nobody died and told Kevin Williamson that "somebody must die". Subsequently, the addition of the scene gave Kevin Williamson a good reason to have all the party guests leave the party near the climax. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When Billy is being put into the cop car. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Casey: Hello?
Phone Voice: Hello.
Casey: Yes?
Phone Voice: Who is this?
Casey: Who are you trying to reach?
Phone Voice: What number is this?
Casey: Well, what number are you trying to reach?
Phone Voice: I don't know.
Casey: I think you have the wrong number.
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Free Enterprise (1998) more
Soundtrack:
Whisper more

FAQ

What are the differences between the R-Rated cut and Unrated Director's Cut version of the movie?
Why was Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) the main target.
Was Maureen Prescott raped?
more
22 out of 23 people found the following comment useful.
Clever, scary and funny - a must-see for horror fans, 13 April 2007
8/10
Author: Max_cinefilo89 from Italy

Making a brilliant, original horror film is pretty hard these days, since practically everything has already been told, and more than once. Using that premise, director Wes Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson came up with Scream, whose cleverness derives from the fact that it knows every single stereotype of the genre and satirizes them.

Take the opening sequence, for example: a young girl (Drew Barrymore) is making popcorn and waiting for her boyfriend when she suddenly receives a phone call. Normally, this would be a huge clichè, only this time the killer decides to play a little game (horror film quiz, naturally) with his victim. In fact, the only reason why he kills her is that she gave the wrong answer to one of his questions (those who haven't seen Friday 13th might want to skip that bit, as it spoils said movie's ending). That scene is both very scary (the murder is quite graphic and disturbing) and at the same time funny (it tests the characters', and the audience's, knowledge of the horror genre), and the rest of the film continues in the same vein: after the first killing, the masked psychopath starts disposing of other teenagers in the town of Woodsboro using the same technique. One of the targets is Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), whose mother was raped and killed the year before. This implies the killer might be the same, but who could it be? Sidney's distant father? Her mother's lover (Liev Schreiber)? Or some random guy, with no motive at all?

Fortunately, it is not the last category: this murderer has a motive and a plausible identity as well. But it isn't the payoff that makes Scream interesting; it's how Craven and Williamson get to it, by outlining the genre's conventions (some of which were actually invented by the director himself) and using them in a clever, if self-referential, way. The point of the movie is, the more you know of this kind of films (pay attention to the rules, stated by geeky film buff Randy), the more chances you have to survive (although you must take into account that the killer has seen the same movies). The in-jokes that would ruin other films are the very cause of Scream's success, with memorable scenes such as the villain mimicking the movie his victims are watching or Craven's unmissable cameo as a janitor wearing Freddy Krueger's outfit (not to mention priceless lines like "Movies don't create psychos, movies make psychos more creative!").

In other words, Scream is a smart, effective horror film, which manages to amuse and scare in equal measures. Definitely worth watching, even if the two sequels (especially Scream 3) don't really match the original's intelligence and, forgive the expression, originality.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (739 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Scream (1996/I)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
How old were you when Scream came out? ineedsomecoffee
The Virgin Rule (spoilers) Sunflower64
New Bluray is CUT! cody_perkins88
Billy getting stabbed. mdsfilms-1
Help... assclump
When a Ghostface Calls BoxOfficePoison
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Scream 2 Freeway Freddy vs. Jason Hot Fuzz The Prowler
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.