AceShowbiz - Scream 7 has opened with a staggering $97.2 million worldwide, setting new box office records for the long-running horror series. The latest chapter from Paramount and Spyglass Media earned $64.1 million domestically and $33.1 million internationally during its opening weekend.

This marks the highest global, international, and North American opening for the franchise since the original film debuted in 1996. The movie is directed by Kevin Williamson, who also penned the original screenplay. The story follows a new Ghostface killer targeting the daughter of Sidney Prescott, the resilient heroine played by Neve Campbell. Campbell’s return to the franchise after missing the sixth installment has been noted for boosting ticket sales, alongside the presence of other returning favorites like Courteney Cox, David Arquette, and Matthew Lillard.

An important factor in the film’s strong opening was the use of premium viewing formats. Scream 7 is the first in the franchise to be released in Imax, along with ScreenX and other premium screens, which accounted for 40% of the total box office revenue.

Gary Barber, chairman and CEO of Spyglass Media, praised the film’s success, emphasizing the lasting impact of Kevin Williamson’s creation. Barber also acknowledged the contributions of Neve Campbell, breakout star Isabel May, Courteney Cox, and the rest of the cast.

The studio’s marketing strategy helped generate excitement beyond the established fan base. Paramount’s campaign included a prominent Super Bowl commercial and Ghostface appearances at high-profile events such as UFC 324 in Las Vegas.

“It’s a daunting task to market the seventh film in a franchise,” said Josh Goldstine, Paramount’s president of global marketing and distribution. He noted the emphasis on nostalgia, especially since this year marks the 30th anniversary of the original Scream. The promotional message focused on the sense of culmination, with Neve Campbell returning to the role that made her famous.

Internationally, Scream 7 outperformed its predecessor, Scream VI, by 35% in comparable markets. The seventh installment recorded its largest foreign debut in the United Kingdom with $5.3 million, followed by France with $4.2 million, Mexico at $3 million, Australia’s $2.5 million, and Germany with $2.4 million. The film has yet to open in Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

After a challenging year for Paramount, Scream 7 is the studio’s first number one release since March’s action comedy Novocaine.