Grab Your Popcorn: The Wayans Family & OG Cast Return for 'Scary MoVIe'!

Remember the first time you saw Ghostface trip over himself, or a creepy caretaker with an unnervingly tiny hand? Well, get ready to feel that nostalgic cringe-laughter all over again, because Scary Movie 6 (officially titled Scary Movie) is not just happening, it's bringing back almost everyone you loved from the original horror-spoof masterpieces!

TL;DR: Here's the Quick Scoop!

• Scary MoVIe, the sixth installment in the beloved horror-comedy franchise, is officially in production with a global theatrical release set for June 12, 2026.
• Original stars Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans, and Shawn Wayans are back, joined by fan favorites like Cheri Oteri and Chris Elliott.
• The Wayans brothers are also co-writing and producing, promising a return to the series' comedic roots under director Michael Tiddes.

A Decade Later, the Kings and Queens of Parody Are Back!

After a thirteen-year hiatus since 2013's Scary Movie 5, the franchise that poked fun at every horror cliché imaginable is making a grand return. And this time, it's not holding back on the star power. The original architects of the spoof empire, Marlon and Shawn Wayans, are not only back in front of the camera but are also co-writing the script alongside their brother Keenen Ivory Wayans and longtime collaborator Rick Alvarez. This is huge, as the Wayans brothers haven't had this level of creative control since the first two films.

When the original Scary Movie hit theaters in July 2000, it was an instant phenomenon, pulling in a staggering $42 million at the domestic box office during its opening weekend. It even set records for the biggest opening for an R-rated horror film and a Black director. That success paved the way for a whole series, but many fans felt the later installments missed a certain spark without the full involvement of the original creative team and core cast. Now, it seems like the stars have aligned for a true homecoming.

Who's Joining the Hilarious Horror Hijinks? Expect Familiar Faces and Fresh Talent

The cast list for Scary MoVIe is shaping up to be a reunion feast, with a mix of franchise legends and exciting newcomers ready to lampoon the latest in terror. Let's break down who you can expect to see:

The Iconic Characters We Can't Live Without

The heart of the Scary Movie universe has always been its core group, and we're thrilled to confirm that many of them are back!

• Anna Faris as Cindy Campbell: The ultimate scream queen who always finds herself in the middle of supernatural chaos. This marks her return after Scary Movie 4, and it just wouldn't be the same without her!
• Regina Hall as Brenda Meeks: Cindy's best friend, known for her sharp wit and unbelievably persistent ability to survive seemingly fatal attacks. She's also back after missing Scary Movie 5.
• Marlon Wayans as Shorty Meeks: Get ready for more marijuana-fueled antics! Marlon Wayans famously shared, "I just lost 20 lbs busting my behind every day 'cause I didn't wanna show up to set as Shorty buff at 225. That'd be lazy of me. I wanna do the work, I wanna look like Shorty. So when I'm able to [in his Shorty voice] have fun and s—, people are able to laugh at me, son." This dedication promises the Shorty we know and love. Source: Paramount Pictures Movies, Anthony Nash, November 12, 2025
• Shawn Wayans as Ray Wilkins: Shorty's brother and another key figure in the original films' ensemble.

Fan-Favorite Returnees From Past Installments

Beyond the core four, several other beloved actors are reprising their memorable roles, bringing back characters that defined the early entries in the series:

• Cheri Oteri as Gail Hailstorm: Oteri, an SNL alum, will return as the sensationalist TV reporter, a hilarious parody of Courteney Cox's Gale Weathers from Scream. With recent Scream reboots, the timing for her return couldn't be better.
• Chris Elliott as Hanson: Get ready for the creepy caretaker from Scary Movie 2 and his "strong hand" to make a comeback! While Elliott also played a different character, Ezekiel, in Scary Movie 4, reports confirm his return as the iconic Hanson.
• Lochlyn Monroe as Bobby Prinze: One of the original 'teens' from the first film.
• Dave Sheridan as Doofy Gilmore: The incompetent, masked killer from the first movie, whose identity reveal was a classic twist.
• Jon Abrahams as Greg Phillipe: Another original cast member, rounding out the familiar faces from the 2000 classic.

Exciting New Additions to the Cast

It's not all about nostalgia; Scary MoVIe is also bringing in fresh comedic talent, including more members of the famous Wayans family:

• Damon Wayans Jr. (known for New Girl)
• Kim Wayans (a veteran of In Living Color)
• Heidi Gardner (recently departed from Saturday Night Live, her representative noted she "is looking forward to working with the film's creative team.") Source: ScreenRant, November 12, 2025
• Olivia Rose Keegan
• Savannah Lee Nassif
• Cameron Scott Roberts
• Sydney Park
• Gregg Wayans
• Ruby Snowber
• Benny Zielke

What Horror Films Will Get the Spoof Treatment This Time?

The Scary Movie franchise has always thrived on satirizing the biggest and most popular horror films of its time. With a thirteen-year gap, there's a whole new generation of frights to poke fun at! Marlon Wayans has hinted at some potential targets, suggesting that films like I Know What You Did Last Summer (likely its recent TV adaptation or sequels), Heretic, Longlegs, Get Out, and Sinners might receive the spoof treatment. This indicates a blend of classic and contemporary horror influences.

The return of the Wayans creative team, who helmed the genre-defining first two films, is a promising sign that this installment will capture the specific blend of meta-humor and gross-out gags that made the series famous. Michael Tiddes, known for directing horror-comedies like A Haunted House and Fifty Shades of Black, is at the helm, which fits the franchise's established style.

Behind the Scenes: A Production Underway

Production for Scary MoVIe is currently underway. Casting agents from Hylton Casting were recently looking for experienced child actors (ages nine to fifteen) in Atlanta for background roles. The casting call specified a "sensitive scene that includes explicit elements of violence, blood and gore," requiring actors to portray fear or shock. This gives a little peek into the film's R-rated comedic horror elements. Source: Atlanta News First, November 12, 2025

"I just lost 20 lbs busting my behind every day 'cause I didn't wanna show up to set as Shorty buff at 225. That'd be lazy of me. I wanna do the work, I wanna look like Shorty. So when I'm able to [in his Shorty voice] have fun and s—, people are able to laugh at me, son."

— Marlon Wayans on reprising his role as Shorty Meeks

Addressing Expectations and the Legacy Sequel Trend

Bringing back a beloved franchise after a long break always comes with its own set of expectations and challenges. Fans who grew up with the original films will be looking for that familiar blend of specific genre parody and irreverent humor. The inclusion of so many original cast members and the Wayans brothers in writing and producing roles is a clear signal that this new film aims to recapture that early magic, rather than simply rebooting it with a new cast.

One might wonder if the humor will land as effectively in today's cinematic landscape, given how much horror (and comedy) has evolved. However, the very premise of Scary Movie is to satirize current trends. By taking on modern horror hits like Get Out alongside older tropes, the film positions itself to critique the "legacy sequel" trend it simultaneously participates in. This self-awareness could be its greatest strength, making fun of the very nostalgia it's selling.

Example: Imagine a long-time fan, let's call her Sarah, who remembers sneaking into the theater with friends to watch the first Scary Movie in 2000. She giggled at the over-the-top parodies and quoted Brenda Meeks for weeks. Hearing about Scary MoVIe, with Anna Faris and Regina Hall back, her first thought isn't "another reboot?" It's "YES! They finally figured it out and brought the originals back!" The casting announcements are a direct appeal to people like Sarah, promising a return to what made them love the franchise in the first place.

Practical Takeaways for Horror-Comedy Enthusiasts

• Mark Your Calendars: Clear your schedule for June 12, 2026, when Scary MoVIe lands in theaters globally.
• Anticipate the Originals' Return: Expect the signature humor and character dynamics from Anna Faris, Regina Hall, and the Wayans brothers.
• Brace for Modern Spoofs: Look forward to hilarious parodies of recent horror films mixed with classic genre nods.
• Get Ready for Family Fun: The expanded Wayans family involvement, both on and off screen, signals a strong creative vision for this revival.

Frequently Asked Questions About 'Scary MoVIe'

Q: When is Scary MoVIe coming out? A: Scary MoVIe is scheduled for a global theatrical release on June 12, 2026.

Q: Who is directing Scary MoVIe? A: Michael Tiddes, known for directing other horror-comedies like A Haunted House, is directing the film.

Q: Will original Scary Movie actors be in Scary MoVIe? A: Yes! Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott, Lochlyn Monroe, Dave Sheridan, and Jon Abrahams are all confirmed to return.

Q: What kind of horror Movies will Scary MoVIe spoof? A: While specific targets are usually kept under wraps, Marlon Wayans has mentioned potential spoofs of films like I Know What You Did Last Summer, Heretic, Longlegs, Get Out, and Sinners.

Sources:

• The Hollywood Reporter, "Damon Wayans Jr., Kim Wayans and Heidi Gardner Join ‘Scary Movie’ Franchise," Ryan Gajewski, November 12, 2025.
• Deadline, "‘Scary Movie 6’ Adds Damon Wayans Jr., Kim Wayans & Heidi Gardner; Cheri Oteri & Chris Elliott Also Return," Matt Grobar, November 12, 2025.
• The A.V. Club, "Scary Movie 6 gets Damon Wayans Jr., plus a couple more franchise returnees," William Hughes, November 12, 2025.
• ComicBook.com, "Scary MoVIe: Chris Elliott Confirmed to Return as Fan-Favorite Character," Nicole Drum, November 12, 2025.
• Atlanta News First, "Filming for ‘Scary Movie 6’ is underway and casting agents are scouting for experienced child actors to be a part of it," November 12, 2025.
• Bloody Disgusting, "Here’s to Hoping Chris Elliott Comes Armed With His Strong Hand for ‘Scary Movie 6’," Meagan Navarro, November 12, 2025.
• The Illuminerdi, "Scary Movie 6 Cast Adds SNL Stars & More Returning Actors," November 12, 2025.
• Paramount Pictures Movies, "Scary Movie 6 Cast Adds SNL Stars, More Returning Actors," Anthony Nash, November 12, 2025.
• ScreenRant, "Scary Movie 6 Casts SNL Star Heidi Gardner & Former Alum," Melanie Cardenas, November 12, 2025.