More than 25 years after the original Scary Movie became a surprise comedy hit and 14 years after the poorly received Scary Movie V appeared to end the franchise, the Wayans creative team returns to revive the iconic parody series. However, despite bringing back the original creators and several beloved cast members, the latest installment feels more like a missed opportunity than a triumphant comeback.

Officially titled simply Scary Movie, the sixth film follows the recent trend of rebooted franchises returning under their original names, similar to the approach taken by films like Halloween. The strategy allows filmmakers to revisit the spirit of the original while ignoring less successful sequels. In theory, it is a smart move – but in this case, the results are far less exciting than expected.

Running at a relatively quick 96 minutes, Scary Movie avoids the exhausting length of some recent blockbuster comedies. One of the film’s biggest strengths is seeing the return of the original “Core Four”: Regina King, Anna Faris, Marlon Wayans, and Shawn Wayans, who reprise their memorable roles. The opening sequence, featuring Teyana Taylor delivering an exaggerated and hilarious version of herself, suggests that the film may have found a fresh comedic direction. Unfortunately, that early promise quickly fades, and much of what follows struggles to deliver consistent laughs.

Like the original Scary Movie, which famously combined elements of Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer while mocking a wide range of popular films, the new installment builds its foundation around modern horror trends. The story takes inspiration from the recent “requel” era of the Scream franchise while also including references and jokes about films such as The Substance, The Matrix, Smile, M3GAN, Final Destination, The Terrifier, and others.

However, this choice feels outdated. The original Scary Movie worked because it was parodying horror films at a time when the genre had recognisable formulas waiting to be mocked. Today, making fun of Scream sequels – which were already designed as self-aware commentary on horror movies – creates a layered joke that loses its impact. With horror experiencing a major creative revival in recent years, the film had the opportunity to target newer cultural phenomena and modern classics such as Get Out, Sinners, or Weapons. Instead, it relies heavily on familiar territory.

The plot follows Anna Faris’ Cindy Campbell, now portrayed as a paranoid survivalist similar to a modern-day Laurie Strode, who is separated from her teenage daughters Sara and Tuesday. Meanwhile, Regina Hall’s Brenda Meeks returns with her own family storyline. However, as expected from a Scary Movie installment, the narrative is less important than the comedy itself. The real expectation is for outrageous visual gags, ridiculous situations, celebrity references, and exaggerated humour to carry the experience.

Unfortunately, many of those elements fail to create the same impact as the earlier films. The movie introduces a large number of returning characters and new faces, but the crowded cast often prevents familiar characters from getting enough attention. Marlon Wayans’ Shorty Meeks and Shawn Wayans’ Ray Wilkins, two fan favourites from the original films, are trapped in repetitive jokes that feel dated rather than fresh. References that once felt memorable now come across as recycled, with callbacks such as “Wassssup!” losing much of their comedic energy.

The film does not hold back on its signature raunchy humour, and the cast commits fully to even the most absurd moments. The performers clearly understand the tone and are willing to embrace the ridiculousness of the material. However, many attempts at edgy humor fail to land, including jokes involving current controversies that feel more predictable than daring.

There are still moments that work. A scene involving passengers reacting violently during a conversation about pronouns delivers an unexpected laugh, while a Kenan Thompson-led parody of Michael feels like a strong sketch from Saturday Night Live. The film’s commentary on Hollywood stereotypes occasionally succeeds as well, although it rarely reaches the boldness or sharpness that defined the franchise at its peak.

The biggest highlight may be the outrageous final twist, which captures the fearless and chaotic spirit of the original films. It proves that the creative team is still capable of delivering surprising comedy when they take risks. Unfortunately, that energy appears only occasionally, leaving much of the film feeling like a collection of familiar jokes rather than a fully developed comeback.

Ultimately, the return of Scary Movie brings back the nostalgia of the franchise but struggles to recreate its magic. The reunion of the original cast and creators offers moments of fun, but the film rarely matches the creativity, unpredictability, and sharp parody that made the first installments successful. What could have been a bold reinvention instead feels like a reminder of what the series once was.