With the release of Scream 7, fans are arguing that the franchise is a perfect example of “sequel fatigue.”  The first movie released December 20th, 1996, was a major blockbuster collecting around $173 million in revenue. However, people are getting tired of the same concept in seven movies.  

So why are seven movies being created and still drawing in fans? Because of what directors call repetitive formulas. This formula consists of giving the film elements of nostalgia, reoccurring themes, tension, and reinforced information. The fact that ghost face “cannot die” is what keeps people coming back. Not to mention that this iconic movie is nostalgic for multiple age groups. The first movie came out in 1996, and the most recent movie came out in 2026 30 years later.  

 I interviewed my Dad to get his opinion on the endless movie chain. The first question I asked him was, what were your thoughts on the first scream? He replied with, “a different kind of scary.” He says that the night he went to go see it, he spent the night at a friends house and no one was home and they were “freaked out.” The second question I asked was do you think the whole scream production is getting old? My dad said, “Yes, it’s excessive.” He believes that there is no element of surprise anymore however lots of people still went to see it.  

 So, is ghost face overstaying his welcome? That question is up to you. Whether you’ve watched all seven or none of the movies, we all have our own opinions. Just be careful when grabbing the phone at night.