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Scream 2

Play trailer 2:16 Poster for Scream 2 R Released Dec 12, 1997 2h 0m Horror Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
82% Tomatometer 133 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Sydney (Neve Campbell) and tabloid reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) survived the events of the first Scream, but their nightmare isn't over. When two college students are murdered at a sneak preview of Stab, a movie based on the events from the first film, it's clear a copycat killer is on the loose. Sydney and Gail, as well as fellow survivors Deputy Dewey (David Arquette) and Randy (Jamie Kennedy) have to find out who is behind this new murder spree, before they all end up dead.
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Scream 2

Scream 2

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Critics Consensus

As with the first film, Scream 2 is a gleeful takedown of scary movie conventions that manages to poke fun at terrible horror sequels without falling victim to the same fate.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Howell Toronto Star A howling great time. Rated: 3/4 Feb 6, 2025 Full Review Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald It's nothing like as inventive as the first Nightmare on Elm Street, but it's much more thoughtful and provocative than most genre horror movies, and more fun. Feb 6, 2025 Full Review Joe Holleman St. Louis Post-Dispatch Good in the first half, begins to fade when new ideas are all used up and then finally staggers exhausted to the finish line. Rated: 2.5/4 Feb 6, 2025 Full Review Joseph Tomastik Loud and Clear Reviews This sequel properly continues the story of the original, lays even more crucial groundwork for its own sequels to play with, and establishes that the Scream formula can be replicated with the right amount of twists and turns. Rated: 4/5 May 14, 2025 Full Review Scott Bradley Kansas City Star It soon becomes apparent that Scream 2 is mostly just a cookie-cutter sequel masquerading as a critique of cookie-cutter sequels. Rated: 2/4 Feb 6, 2025 Full Review Joe Riley Liverpool Echo It's a two pronged game of creeps and cretins, where the tingle factor relies on sudden bursts of hammy stock horror action, rather than any prolonged exploitation of tension. Feb 6, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mickey A Scream 2 is just a masterpiece that is even better than the original in my opinion, it started with a brilliant and fun opening scene (best opening scene that I have ever seen in a (horror) movie). Wes Craven did again an amazing movie!! I just love this movie so much and it's fun that there are new things added too this movie so that it's not just the same as Scream 1, new and bigger locations, longer and better chase scenes, more kills... It's just the best Scream movie in the franchise. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/02/25 Full Review Jared M A solid follow-up to its groundbreaking predecessor, Scream 2 doesn’t quite live up to the suspense or shock value of the original—but it’s far from a bad film. The plot lacks the tight twists of the first, and many of the new characters are so forgettable that when they’re killed off, it barely registers. That said, it’s still one of my personal favorites and remains a must-watch in my yearly rotation. My favorite aspect of the sequel is how it builds on the love story between Dewey and Gale. Their chemistry was undeniable in the first film, and this entry gives that spark room to grow. The weakest moment, however, is the off-screen death of Randy Meeks—a fan favorite who deserved a proper farewell. His character had more to offer and should’ve gone out with impact. My MVP: Liev Schreiber. Though Cotton Weary is technically proven innocent, Schreiber plays him with such intensity and aggression that keeps the audience on edge. It was a great move giving him more screen time—he made every moment count. Film: Scream 2 (1997) Top-Performance: Liev Schieber as Cotton Weary Top Quote: “He’s exactly the type of man would like to bring home to your mother… if you had a mother.” -Mickey Altieri Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/27/25 Full Review Frank the Pug . A more than solid follow-up to the first film--and easily better than the horror sequels it's critiquing. There are a few plot holes, and the second act definitely drags a bit, but overall this is a strong second showing for the Scream franchise. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/25/25 Full Review Target C Used to love it, but couldn’t really get into it after rewatch. It comes off as boring, and the weakest of the original trilogy. Is it worth a watch? Only if you’re trying to get the full story. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/24/25 Full Review Stephen C Failure in 2 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 06/14/25 Full Review O A It's a great sequel to the first film. I would say this film is more committed to showing how brutal Ghostface can be while also being mysterious. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/27/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Scream 2

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Scream 2

Scream 2: Official Clip - Stabbed in the Back Scream 2: Official Clip - Stabbed in the Back 2:11 Scream 2: Official Clip - Omega Beta Killer Scream 2: Official Clip - Omega Beta Killer 2:01 Scream 2: Official Clip - It's Showtime! Scream 2: Official Clip - It's Showtime! 2:13 Scream 2: Official Clip - A Mother's Love Scream 2: Official Clip - A Mother's Love 2:11 Scream 2: Official Clip - Killer Opening Scream 2: Official Clip - Killer Opening 2:12 Scream 2: Official Clip - The Rules for Sequels Scream 2: Official Clip - The Rules for Sequels 2:15 Scream 2: Official Clip - Sequels Suck! Scream 2: Official Clip - Sequels Suck! 2:08 Scream 2: Official Clip - I'm Gonna Blame the Movies Scream 2: Official Clip - I'm Gonna Blame the Movies 2:08 Scream 2: Official Clip - Killer In The Chorus Scream 2: Official Clip - Killer In The Chorus 2:12 Scream 2: Official Clip - That Was Intense Scream 2: Official Clip - That Was Intense 2:13 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Sydney (Neve Campbell) and tabloid reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) survived the events of the first Scream, but their nightmare isn't over. When two college students are murdered at a sneak preview of Stab, a movie based on the events from the first film, it's clear a copycat killer is on the loose. Sydney and Gail, as well as fellow survivors Deputy Dewey (David Arquette) and Randy (Jamie Kennedy) have to find out who is behind this new murder spree, before they all end up dead.
Director
Wes Craven
Producer
Cathy Konrad, Marianne Maddalena
Screenwriter
Kevin Williamson, Kevin Williamson
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Craven-Maddalena Films, Miramax Films, Konrad Pictures, Dimension Films, Maven Entertainment Inc.
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 12, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 21, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$101.3M
Runtime
2h 0m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Scope (2.35:1)
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