Scream 7 breaks franchise records with a huge opening, despite mixed reviews. See the box office highs and lows of this 30th-anniversary sequel.
- March 16, 2026
AceShowbiz - Scream 7 is making a significant impact at the box office, breaking records within the long-running franchise. This seventh installment in the series marks 30 years since the original film’s debut, and despite mixed critical reception, it has already surpassed previous entries in global earnings.
The film has experienced a rollercoaster performance. It holds the franchise's lowest Rotten Tomatoes score at 31%, yet it simultaneously boasts the best domestic opening weekend with $63.6 million. However, it also suffered the largest second-week drop of 73.3%, indicating a steep decline after its initial surge.
According to Variety, as of Sunday morning, Scream 7 is projected to conclude its third weekend with a global gross of $176.9 million. This total includes $107 million from the domestic box office and $69.9 million from international markets. This performance makes Scream 7 the first sequel in the franchise to surpass the worldwide gross of the original 1996 film, which earned $173 million globally, establishing a new all-time record for the series.
Despite this milestone, Scream 7 is currently the second highest-grossing film domestically within the franchise. The record is still held by 2023’s Scream VI, which earned $108.4 million during its theatrical run. However, Scream 7 needs only an additional $1.4 million to overtake this figure, a feat it is likely to achieve by the end of its third full week in theaters.
It's important to note that the record for highest grossing film in the franchise changes when adjusted for inflation. The original trilogy films each grossed more than $300 million worldwide when inflation is considered. Specifically, the first three films earned $354.8 million, $347.6 million, and $310 million respectively, adjusted for inflation. Meanwhile, Scream VI garnered $182.2 million globally after inflation adjustments, placing Scream 7 currently as the fifth highest-grossing installment on the inflation-adjusted chart.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the franchise’s box office totals, both domestic and global, along with inflation-adjusted worldwide grosses:
| Title | Domestic Total | Global Total | Global Total (Adj.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scream (1996) | $103 million | $173 million | $354.8 million |
| Scream 2 (1997) | $101.4 million | $172.4 million | $347.6 million |
| Scream 3 (2000) | $89.1 million | $161.8 million | $310 million |
| Scream 4 (2011) | $38.2 million | $96 million | $138.8 million |
| Scream (2022) | $81.6 million | $138.8 million | $160.6 million |
| Scream VI (2023) | $108.4 million | $169.1 million | $182.2 million |
| Scream 7 (2026) | $107 million (so far) | $176.9 million (so far) | N/A |
Looking ahead, it is quite possible that Scream 7 will surpass the inflation-adjusted total of Scream VI to become the highest-grossing installment since the original trilogy. However, reaching or exceeding the $300 million mark adjusted for inflation remains unlikely, as would outgrossing the original film’s adjusted $354.8 million total.
While horror films occasionally break the $300 million threshold globally, it is a rare achievement. To date, only 23 horror movies have grossed over $300 million worldwide without inflation adjustment. Among these, just five were released in the 2020s: Final Destination Bloodlines ($317.8 million), Alien: Romulus ($350.9 million), Sinners ($369 million), Beetlejuice Beetlejuice ($452 million), and The Conjuring: Last Rites ($499.1 million).
Despite Scream 7’s new box office record, the film is still shadowed by controversy. Its low critical score and calls for boycotts have surfaced following the firing of Melissa Barrera, star of Scream (2022) and Scream VI, after she posted pro-Palestine messages on social media in 2023.
As the film continues its theatrical run, audiences and industry observers alike will watch closely to see how Scream 7 performs in the coming weeks. Its record-breaking start is undeniable, but the final totals and legacy remain to be seen.
