Scream 7 Trailer Unleashed: Sidney Prescott's Back, Along With Some Shocking Returns!

The first official trailer for Scream 7 just dropped, and it's bringing back our beloved final girl, Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott, for a whole new (and very personal) nightmare. Get ready for familiar faces, some shocking comebacks from beyond the grave, and all the meta-horror you can handle!

TL;DR: All The Gory Details You Need To Know Right Now

Neve Campbell is officially back as Sidney Prescott, with a new life and a daughter named Tatum who becomes Ghostface’s target.
Several "dead" characters, including David Arquette's Dewey Riley and Matthew Lillard's Stu Macher, are teased to return in some capacity.
The film faced major behind-the-scenes drama, with Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega exiting, leading original writer Kevin Williamson to step in as director.

Alright, fellow horror fanatics, grab your popcorn and maybe a comfort blanket, because Ghostface is calling again! The long-awaited first trailer for Scream 7 just landed like a knife to the chest on Thursday, October 30, 2025 – just in time for Halloween Eve, no less – and it’s packed with enough twists and turns to make your head spin. After all the chatter, all the drama, and all the speculation, we finally have our first real look at the latest chapter in the iconic slasher franchise.

And what a look it is! The biggest news, of course, is the triumphant return of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, the ultimate final girl. Remember when she sat out Scream VI due to a salary dispute? Well, it seems Paramount and Spyglass Media Group made things right, offering her a "strong" deal to bring her back to where she belongs: front and center in the Ghostface spotlight. And trust us, you’re going to want to see what happens next.

Sidney Prescott Returns: A Mother's Fight Against The Past

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The trailer wastes no time in re-establishing Sidney's place in the universe. We catch up with her in a quiet town where she’s built a peaceful new life with her husband and, crucially, her daughter. But peace never lasts long when Ghostface is around, does it?

The iconic killer calls, with that chilling, all-too-familiar voice saying, “Hello, Sidney. Did you miss me? Nice little town you found, you and your pretty daughter. Reminds me of where we grew up.” Chills! It’s immediately clear that this time, the threat is even more personal. Ghostface sets their sights directly on Sidney's daughter, Tatum.

And yes, that name isn't a coincidence! Sidney apparently named her daughter Tatum to honor her friend Tatum Riley (played by Rose McGowan), who met a rather gruesome end in the original 1996 film. This nod instantly tugs at the heartstrings and emphasizes how deeply rooted Sidney's past is in her present. Watching the trailer, you see Tatum (played by newcomer Isabel May) determined to "become a fighter" like her mom, with Sidney teaching her the vital rules of escaping the relentless killer. It’s a powerful generational passing of the torch, showing Sidney not just as a survivor, but as a protector.

Joel McHale also joins the cast as Sidney's husband. While some fans speculated she might have married Detective Mark Kincaid from Scream 3, the articles suggest McHale's character is simply "Mark," and we don't have many details beyond that – making him either a supportive partner or, well, a potential suspect in true Scream fashion!

Ghostface's Familiar Faces: Even Those From Beyond The Grave Are Back

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Beyond Sidney, some other beloved franchise veterans are making their grand return. Courteney Cox is back as the determined reporter Gale Weathers, who survived a brutal attack in Scream VI. In the trailer, she tells Sidney, “Let’s unmask this fr,” a line that perfectly encapsulates Gale’s enduring spirit. Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding also reprise their roles as the witty twins Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin, who have surprisingly managed to survive multiple Ghostface encounters.

But here's where things get really wild and wonderfully meta: the trailer heavily teases the return of characters we all thought were long dead!

David Arquette as Dewey Riley: Despite his character's heartbreaking death in Scream (2022), we hear what sounds like Dewey's voice in the trailer, warning Sidney, "All your friends die for just being near you."
Matthew Lillard as Stu Macher: The original co-Ghostface from the 1996 film, who seemingly had a TV dropped on his head, is strongly hinted at. The trailer ends with a gleeful voice, unmistakably Lillard’s, saying, “This is gonna be fun.” Plus, Stu Macher's house—now a Ghostface-themed bed and breakfast—is seen burning, an iconic location from the original.
Skeet Ulrich as Billy Loomis: Confirmed to return, Ulrich previously appeared as visions to his daughter Sam in the revival films.
Scott Foley as Roman Bridger: The Ghostface from Scream 3, who was also thought dead, is set for a comeback.

How will these deceased characters return? The articles don't spill all the beans, keeping us on the edge of our seats. Fan theories range from AI voice emulation to Sidney's visions, or perhaps some have secretly survived all along, especially Stu! "We now live in the world of AI and deepfake technology," one article muses, suggesting a very meta approach to these "ghosts" from Sidney's past. Given that the synopsis mentions Sidney having to "face the horrors of her past," these returns are clearly central to the new storyline.

"I have made it very clear, I think publicly too, that Sidney has been through so much torment, and she has been through so much trauma, that to give her anything less than a happy ending is mean. It’s just sacrilegious."

– Kevin Williamson, Director of Scream 7

Behind The Screams: The Rollercoaster Ride To Get To This Point

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It's no secret that getting Scream 7 to the screen has been quite the journey, filled with its own brand of drama. The film underwent major shakeups and production delays due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, as well as significant creative overhauls.

Originally, the revival films Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023) centered on sisters Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter) and Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter). However, Barrera was controversially fired from Scream 7 due to her social media posts regarding the Israel-Hamas war. Following her exit, Jenna Ortega also left the project voluntarily. While it was initially reported as a scheduling conflict with her hit Netflix series Wednesday, Ortega later clarified that her departure had "nothing to do with pay or scheduling" and was primarily because the project was "all kind of falling apart" after Barrera's firing.

Director Christopher Landon (known for Happy Death Day) was initially attached to direct but also exited the project in December 2023. He revealed he endured death threats and "abuse" from fans who wrongly conflated his politics with the studio's decision to fire Barrera, stating, "This was not my decision to make."

Amidst this turbulence, original Scream writer and franchise creator Kevin Williamson stepped in to direct, marking his first time behind the camera for a feature film since 1999's Teaching Mrs. Tingle. He also co-wrote the script with Guy Busick, with James Vanderbilt and Busick credited for the story. This shift means Scream 7 is effectively a "reset" for the franchise, bringing it back to its roots with Sidney Prescott as the central figure, a direction many long-time fans have been clamoring for.

Meet The New Blood (And Potentially New Victims) Joining The Fray

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While the focus is on Sidney and the returning veterans, Scream 7 also brings in a fresh batch of talent ready to face Ghostface's wrath. Alongside Isabel May as Tatum and Joel McHale as Sidney's husband, the cast of newcomers includes:

Michelle Randolph (who seemingly has a brutal kill scene in the trailer)
Anna Camp
Mckenna Grace
Ethan Embry
Mark Consuelos
Jimmy Tatro
Celeste O'Connor
Asa Germann
Sam Rechner
Tim Simons

With so many new faces, and Ghostface promising to be even more violent this time around (according to Mason Gooding), we can expect plenty of fresh blood and gruesome demises. Just remember, as the franchise itself often reminds us, never assume a kill is for real in the Scream universe!

When Can You Experience The Next Chapter Of Ghostface's Reign?

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After all the anticipation, the good news is you won't have to wait too much longer to see Sidney Prescott back in action. Scream 7 is officially slashing its way into theaters on February 27, 2026. Mark your calendars, set your reminders, and prepare for another thrilling ride into the world of Woodsboro (or whatever quiet town Sidney tries to escape to!).

With Kevin Williamson at the helm and Neve Campbell back where she belongs, Scream 7 is shaping up to be a deeply personal and potentially game-changing entry for the franchise. It’s a chance to honor the past, explore new fears, and give Sidney Prescott the powerful, "happy ending" that Williamson himself has promised she deserves. We'll be there, screaming with you!

Frequently Asked Questions About Scream 7

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When is the Scream 7 release date?

Scream 7 is scheduled to hit theaters on February 27, 2026.

Who is directing Scream 7?

Kevin Williamson, who created the franchise and wrote the original Scream, is directing the seventh installment.

Is Neve Campbell returning as Sidney Prescott in Scream 7?

Yes, Neve Campbell is back as the iconic final girl, Sidney Prescott, after sitting out Scream VI due to salary disputes.

Are Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega in Scream 7?

No, Melissa Barrera was fired from Scream 7, and Jenna Ortega voluntarily exited the project, leading to a creative pivot that brought Neve Campbell back to the forefront.