The latest developments regarding Scary Movie 6 are generating excitement and offering reassurance for fans; however, it’s not the news many have been eagerly anticipating. As horror franchises enjoy a renaissance with numerous reboots and sequels, it seems only fitting for the Scary Movie franchise to once again join these ranks. Initially launched in 2000, the series kicked off a trend in parody films that has since experienced both peaks and valleys.
Through its five films, the Scary Movie series achieved notable success, although a gradual decline in quality and audience reception became apparent over the years. The franchise culminated with the release of Scary Movie 5 in 2013, which was unfortunately met with negative reviews and is widely regarded as the franchise’s weakest entry. Now, with the announcement of Scary Movie 6, fans are hopeful for a resurgence, especially with the return of the Wayans brothers—Keenen Ivory, Shawn, and Marlon—as creators. However, it remains uncertain whether Shawn and Marlon will reprise their acting roles.
Scary Movie 6 is Targeting an R-Rated Vibe Like Its Forerunners
Rediscovering the Franchise’s Roots
Despite being the original creators of the franchise, the Wayans brothers only directed and starred in the first two films. Keenen Ivory was at the helm for these initial entries, while Shawn and Marlon contributed as co-writers and actors. Their absence from subsequent sequels resulted in significant shifts in both tone and content, leading to a drop in ratings.
Both early films were rated R, a distinction shaped by their incorporation of strong crude language, sexual themes, drug references, violence, and nudity. In contrast, later installments succumbed to a PG-13 rating, aimed at a younger audience. Fortunately, Scary Movie 6 is set to reclaim its original spirit and unfiltered humor.
Marlon Wayans recently revealed that the creative team is pursuing an R-rating for the upcoming film, promising to capture the same playful yet edgy essence that defined the original films. In an interview with People, Wayans expressed excitement about returning to that lively, cheeky tone while refreshing the sequel’s narrative.
What Caused the Scary Movie Franchise to Falter After Its Second Installment
The Franchise’s Decline Initiated with Movie Three
The franchise’s downturn began following the Wayans brothers’ exit post the second film. In a 2020 interview with Variety, Marlon Wayans recounted a bitter parting from the Weinsteins, highlighting their unprofessional behavior and unresolved financial issues. He expressed dissatisfaction with the sequels’ direction, emphasizing that the unique spirit brought by the Wayans brothers was sorely lacking.
Following their departure, the series saw different directors—David Zucker helmed the third and fourth films, while Malcolm D. Lee took on the fifth. While these sequels marginally improved upon the second, many critics noted the humor was erratic, often trading coherent plots for scattershot parodies.
Scary Movie 5 earned the lowest ratings in the franchise, being characterized as juvenile and lacking substance. With the anticipation around Scary Movie 6, fans are hopeful for a revitalization of the franchise’s identity, tone, and comedic style—the elements that originally garnered it a cult following.
|
Movie |
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score |
|---|---|
|
Scary Movie |
51% |
|
Scary Movie 2 |
13% |
|
Scary Movie 3 |
35% |
|
Scary Movie 4 |
34% |
|
Scary Movie 5 |
4% |
Scary Movie 6 Would Benefit from the Return of Its Original Four Main Characters
Reviving Original Characters for a Successful Comeback
A significant misstep in Scary Movie 5 was the absence of key characters like Cindy (Anna Faris) and Brenda (Regina Hall). As planning progresses for Scary Movie 6, it will be vital to rectify this mistake. While the specifics of the plot remain largely under wraps, it’s likely that the film will parody the prevalent trends of reboots and legacy sequels—categories into which it falls. Therefore, bringing back Cindy and Brenda is essential not just to establish continuity but to effectively lampoon these trends.
Sources: People, Variety.