Scary Movie (2026) Review

By Justin D Williams

I wanted Scary Movie 2026 to feel like a real comeback for the franchise. With Anna Faris and Regina Hall returning, plus the Wayans family back involved, it had all the pieces to bring back that wild parody energy the series was known for. I was hoping for something ridiculous, funny, and sharp enough to make fun of modern horror while still feeling like its own movie. What I got was a movie that was entertaining in parts, but also messy and uneven. Story-wise, the movie follows Cindy, Brenda, Shorty, and Ray years after their original nightmare, as they find themselves pulled back into another masked-killer situation. The setup gives the film a reason to bring back the old cast while introducing a younger group of characters. It is clearly playing with the modern legacy sequel trend, where the original characters return while a new generation gets caught up in the chaos.

The problem is that the story feels more like a loose excuse to jump from one joke to the next. Instead of building into one strong comedy-horror plot, the movie often plays like a compilation of sketches. It moves from one parody to another, taking shots at modern horror, reboots, sequels, and whatever has been trending in pop culture. Some of those bits work, but a lot of them feel stitched together instead of flowing naturally. That was one of my biggest issues with the film. A lot of the jokes felt dated. Instead of feeling like a fresh 2026 version of Scary Movie, it sometimes felt like the writers took whatever was popular, threw it in a blender, and hoped the references would be enough. A parody needs more than just pointing at something people recognize. It needs strong timing, clever setups, and jokes that land even if the reference is obvious. This movie has moments where it gets there, but not enough.

What really worked for me was the cast. Anna Faris still understands this franchise perfectly. She knows how to play Cindy with that confused, innocent, over-the-top energy without making it feel forced. She brings back a lot of what people loved about the earlier movies, and when she is on screen, the movie feels closer to what I wanted. Regina Hall is also one of the best parts of the movie. Brenda has always been a scene-stealer, and Hall still has the timing and reactions to make even weaker material funnier. Her energy helps carry scenes that might not have worked as well with someone else. When Faris and Hall are together, the movie feels the most alive. I also have to give a lot of praise to Olivia Rose Keegan. Playing Cindy’s daughter, she emulates Anna Faris’ Cindy almost perfectly. She nearly matches the voice, but what really stands out is how well she captures Faris’ mannerisms, comedic timing, and delivery. It does not feel like a cheap copy either. It feels like she studied what made Cindy funny and understood how to bring that same energy into a new character. In a franchise so connected to its original cast, it is not easy for a newer face to stand out, but Keegan does. She brings fresh energy while still feeling like she belongs in this world.

Overall, Scary Movie 2026 is not terrible, but it is not the strong comeback it could have been. There are funny moments, and the cast gives it personality, but the movie is too scattered. It feels more like a sketch compilation than a fully connected comedy-horror film. Anna Faris, Regina Hall, and Olivia Rose Keegan are the highlights, but the dated jokes and trend-chasing keep the movie from being anything more than okay.

Final Score

Video Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITJ4sUWVNts