The Scream 7 Trailer Just Dropped, and Sidney Prescott is Back!

Get ready, horror fans! The first trailer for Scream 7 has officially landed, bringing back our beloved final girl, Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott, to face off against Ghostface once more. But it's not all cheers, as behind-the-scenes drama and controversial exits have left a significant mark on the franchise, sparking major fan debate and boycotts.

TL;DR

• The first official Scream 7 trailer is out, featuring Neve Campbell's iconic return as Sidney Prescott, who must protect her daughter Tatum from a new Ghostface.
• Original screenwriter Kevin Williamson is directing, and Courteney Cox, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown are also back, along with some surprising "returns" for deceased characters.
• The film faced major shakeups after Melissa Barrera was fired and Jenna Ortega exited, leading to significant fan backlash and calls for boycotts.

Sidney Prescott's Much-Anticipated Return to the Franchise

After a noticeable absence in Scream VI due to a reported salary dispute, Neve Campbell is officially back in the Ghostface-slashing game for Scream 7! The first trailer dropped recently, and it’s a big deal. Her return is a massive win for fans who’ve always seen Sidney Prescott as the heart and soul of the Scream universe. Many would even argue that Sidney is the franchise, much like Laurie Strode is to Halloween.

This time, Sidney isn't just fighting for herself. The trailer reveals she's built a quiet life in a new town, but peace is fleeting in Woodsboro's shadow. A new Ghostface emerges, setting his sights on her teenage daughter, Tatum (played by Isabel May). Yes, you read that right – Sidney named her daughter Tatum, a poignant nod to her friend Tatum Riley, who tragically died in the original 1996 film. It looks like Sidney's going to be teaching her daughter a thing or two about surviving a masked killer, making it incredibly personal.

Behind the Camera: A Familiar Face Takes the Director's Chair

Adding to the excitement of Campbell's return, Kevin Williamson, the genius who wrote the original Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4, is directing Scream 7. This marks his first time helming a franchise installment since 2011’s Scream 4. He's also co-written the script with horror veteran Guy Busick (who penned Scream 6 and Abigail), based on a story by James Vanderbilt and Busick. It feels like a full-circle moment, bringing the franchise back to its roots with its original architect at the helm.

Williamson has even made a public pledge about Sidney’s fate: "I have made it very clear... 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." So, while the scares are guaranteed, maybe a little bit of peace is in store for our scream queen.

The Assembled Cast: Who's Back and Who's New to the Horror

Beyond Sidney, some other fan favorites are making their comeback. Courteney Cox is reprising her role as the ever-resilient reporter Gale Weathers, ready to "unmask this fer" alongside Sidney. Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown are also returning as the surviving Meeks-Martin twins, Chad and Mindy.

But here's where it gets interesting and a bit mysterious: the trailer also hints at the return of some characters previously believed to be dead! David Arquette (Dewey Riley), Matthew Lillard (Stu Macher, the original co-Ghostface killer), and Scott Foley (Roman Bridger from Scream 3) are all listed as reprising their roles. Skeet Ulrich is also expected to return as Billy Loomis. While the nature of their appearances is being kept under wraps—likely flashbacks, visions, or perhaps even a deeper meta-commentary on the franchise's past—it's sure to ignite discussions among the fandom.

New faces joining the fray include Isabel May as Sidney's daughter Tatum, Joel McHale as Sidney's cop husband, and a host of other newcomers like Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Mckenna Grace, Sam Rechner, Michelle Randolph, Jimmy Tatro, Anna Camp, Mark Consuelos, Ethan Embry, and Tim Simons. Michelle Randolph's character even seems to have a dramatic encounter at Stu Macher's house in the trailer, but as any true Scream fan knows, a "death" isn't always what it seems!

The Turbulent Road to Production: Drama and Departures

It's no secret that Scream 7 has had a bumpy ride to the screen. The production faced significant drama and public backlash, leading to a complete creative overhaul. This all began with the controversial firing of Melissa Barrera, who had starred as Sam Carpenter in the previous two films and was positioned as the franchise's new "final girl."

"We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech."

– Spyglass Media spokesperson on Melissa Barrera's firing (November 2023)

Barrera was dismissed by Spyglass Media in November 2023 over her social media comments regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. This decision caused an immediate uproar among fans and led to widespread boycotts.

Shortly after Barrera's departure, Jenna Ortega, who played her on-screen sister Tara Carpenter, also exited the project. While initial reports cited scheduling conflicts with her hit Netflix series Wednesday, Ortega later clarified her reasons in April 2025:

"The Melissa stuff was happening, and it was all kind of falling apart... If Scream VII wasn’t going to be with that team of directors and those people I fell in love with, then it didn’t seem like the right move for me in my career at the time."

– Jenna Ortega on her exit from Scream 7 (May 2025 interview report)

This confirmed that her decision was rooted in the upheaval surrounding Barrera's firing and the subsequent departure of the creative team, including directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (known as Radio Silence), who had revived the franchise with Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023).

Even director Christopher Landon (of Happy Death Day fame), who was briefly attached to direct, eventually dropped out in December 2023, calling it a "dream job that turned into a nightmare" and stating it wasn't his decision to fire Barrera. These extensive changes ultimately paved the way for Kevin Williamson to take over directing duties and for the story to pivot back to Sidney Prescott.

Fan Reactions: Boycotts and Divided Loyalties

The firing of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega's subsequent exit created a storm among the Scream fanbase. Many fans took to social media to express their disappointment and anger, calling for a boycott of Scream 7. Posts like "This is missing two very important women…" and "Where the Scream franchise ended for me" flooded platforms like X.

Several fans explicitly stated their refusal to support the film, with comments such as "We will not be supporting because of what Spyglass did to Melissa Barrera!" Some even suggested supporting other horror parodies like the upcoming Scary Movie 6, or Barrera's other projects like Your Monster (streaming on HBO Max and Hulu) or The Copenhagen Test (premiering December 27th).

The Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS) has also joined a grassroots movement against the sequel, with 22 arts and advocacy organizations publicly supporting it. This highlights how deeply the behind-the-scenes drama has impacted the film's public reception, creating a significant challenge for its marketing and release.

Is Ghostface Channeling Michael Myers? A New Look for the Killer

Beyond the cast and crew drama, the new trailer itself is sparking conversations about the film's tone. Some viewers have noted that Scream 7 appears to be taking a page from the Halloween playbook, specifically the John Carpenter original and David Gordon Green's 2018 reboot. The comparison suggests a shift towards a more serious, almost boogeyman-like portrayal of Ghostface.

The trailer showcases Sidney's new, white suburban home (reminiscent of Michael Myers' surroundings), shots of her daughter walking with friends that echo the original Halloween, and even a moment where Ghostface does a chilling sit-up – a move famously associated with Michael Myers. The killer also appears to move with a relentless, precise purpose, less like a human behind a mask and more like an unstoppable force. There's even a shot of Ghostface engulfed in flames, another familiar image from the Halloween franchise.

This stylistic choice could be a deliberate meta-nod, given that the original Scream famously parodied and paid homage to classic slashers like Halloween. Director Kevin Williamson, being the creator of the franchise, might be intentionally tapping into this classic horror iconography to bring Scream 7 back to its roots in a fresh way, especially after the franchise's recent shift in tone with Scream VI, which played its scares more straight. It will be interesting to see if this new direction resonates with long-time fans.

What to Expect When Ghostface Returns to Theaters

Despite the controversies and shake-ups, Scream 7 is officially heading to theaters on February 27, 2026. Marco Beltrami, who has scored many of the previous films, is returning to compose the score, promising to bring that familiar, tension-building music we all know and love.

The film promises a return to the intense, character-driven stakes that defined the earlier entries, now with Sidney's family directly in Ghostface's crosshairs. It's a high-stakes return for the franchise, aiming to win back fans and prove that even after all the drama, the "Scream" saga still has plenty of scares left in it. So mark your calendars, because it looks like Ghostface is ready to burn it all down.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scream 7

When is the Scream 7 movie officially coming out?

Scream 7 is set to be released in theaters on February 27, 2026.

Who is directing the new Scream 7 movie?

Kevin Williamson, the original screenwriter and co-creator of the Scream franchise, is directing Scream 7. This marks his first time directing an installment in the series.

Why aren't Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega in Scream 7?

Melissa Barrera was fired from the film in November 2023 by Spyglass Media due to comments she made on social media about the Israel-Hamas conflict. Jenna Ortega subsequently exited the project, stating her decision was influenced by Barrera's firing and the departure of the creative team she had worked with on previous films, rather than a scheduling conflict.

Will Neve Campbell return as Sidney Prescott in Scream 7?

Yes, Neve Campbell is officially returning as the iconic final girl, Sidney Prescott, in Scream 7. This marks her comeback to the franchise after not appearing in Scream VI.

Sources

• CNN
• Deadline
• IndieWire
• TheMovieBox
• ScreenRant
• The Hollywood Reporter
• Primetimer