10 AMAZING Horror Sequels That Shouldn’t Have Worked
5. Scream (2022)
Though Wes Craven's Scream reinvigorated the slasher genre, the next three entries didn't hit the same way. When Craven died several years after the release of Scream 4, it felt like the end of an era.
So, when Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet announced they were taking over, fans were dubious, especially since this legacy sequel focused on a new protagonist for the first time. Even though Betinelli-Olpin and Gillet had success with Ready or Not, the odds were stacked against them. If the brains behind Scream couldn't keep Scream's quality consistent, what chance did this pair have?
Fortunately, 2022's Scream was a blast. The film strategically embraced the requel concept, so it was part sequel, part reboot, making it accessible to old and new horror fans. It wove a meta commentary into its narrative, critiquing toxic fandom, unnecessary reboots, and genre trends in a way that felt fresh.
2022's Scream did so well, a follow-up was rushed out within a year, which was a big hit. With Scream 7 on the way, the once flagging IP is showing no signs of stopping.