Do you like scary movies? The horror genre hasn’t been the same since Ghostface asked Drew Barrymore that question in 1996. Three sequels and one TV spinoff later, the Scream franchise isn’t going anywhere.
The first Scream film debuted in December, a month usually reserved for awards contenders and family-friendly holiday fare. Even so, it became a runaway hit, and some critics credited it with revitalizing interest in horror movies.
Inspired by a real-life series of murders in Florida, Scream follows a group of high school students as they battle a mask-wearing serial killer known only as Ghostface. Barrymore, then one of the most in-demand young actresses in Hollywood, originally signed on to play the lead role of Sidney Prescott (later taken by Neve Campbell), but she switched to the much smaller part of Casey Becker after scheduling conflicts arose.
Casey famously dies in the opening of the movie, but the filmmakers saw the Never Been Kissed actress’ quick exit as a storytelling bonus. If a star as big as Barrymore could be killed off so fast, then it meant that any of the characters could end up dead at any time.
Scream also served as a welcome change of pace for Courteney Cox, who was in the midst of playing extremely nice girl Monica Geller on Friends. She was interested in playing tenacious reporter Gale Weathers to show off a different side of her range. (The Cougar Town alum reprised the role in all three sequels and is set to return for the fourth one too.)
In November 2019, a fifth Scream film — simply titled Scream — was announced. Due out in January 2022, the new installment will feature franchise regulars Cox, Campbell and David Arquette, plus newcomers Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Jack Quaid and Dylan Minnette.
The new movie will be the first entry in the franchise not directed by horror icon Wes Craven, who died in 2015. According to Cox, the 2022 Scream is so different from the others that it’s difficult to describe it as a sequel.
“These directors are incredible,” she told Barrymore in May 2021. “It’s a new franchise. It’s hip, it’s scary, it’s just a new Scream. It’s not a reboot, it’s not a remake, it’s just a brand new launch. I think it’s going to be fantastic.”
Keep scrolling for a look at where the Scream cast is now:
After becoming one of Ghostface's first victims, Barrymore went on to star in movies including The Wedding Singer, Ever After, Never Been Kissed, Charlie's Angels, Donnie Darko, 50 First Dates and Going the Distance. In 2009, she won a Golden Globe for her performance in HBO's movie Grey Gardens. She also founded her own production company, Flower Films, and wrote a 2015 book of essays called Wildflower. She shares two daughters, Olive and Frankie, with ex-husband Will Kopelman, whom she divorced in 2016.
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The Party of Five alum went on to star in movies including Wild Things, Drowning Mona and Partition. She also racked up credits in TV shows including Mad Men, Grey's Anatomy and House of Cards. The Canada native has been in a relationship with JJ Feild since 2011. They share two sons, Caspian and Raynor.
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After Friends wrapped in 2004, the Seinfeld alum continued her TV success with the shows Dirt and Cougar Town. She's also guest starred on shows including Scrubs, Shameless and Modern Family. While filming Scream, she met her future husband, David Arquette. The pair were married from 1999 to 2013 and share one daughter, Coco. She has been in a relationship with Johnny McDaid since 2013.
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After playing Deputy Dewey Riley, Arquette reunited with his Scream costar Barrymore in 1999's Never Been Kissed. His other film and TV credits include 3000 Miles to Graceland, Eight Legged Freaks, Pushing Daisies and Bill Nye Saves the World. In 2015, he married Christina McLarty. The pair share two sons, Charlie and Augustus.
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The Virginia native played Billy Loomis, one of the students behind the killing spree. He went on to star in the TV show Jericho, and from 2017 to 2021, he played Jughead's dad, FP Jones, on Riverdale. The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit alum shares twins Naiia and Jakob with ex-wife Georgina Cates, whom he divorced in 2005. He was also wed to Amelia Jackson-Gray from 2012 to 2015.
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The SLC! Punk star played Stu Macher, Billy's accomplice in the murders. He went on to star in She's All That, Summer Catch and Without a Paddle, and he played Shaggy in the 2002 Scooby-Doo movie and its sequel. He also made a cameo in 2011's Scream 4, and he starred as the principal in Netflix's 2021 She's All That remake, He's All That. The Twin Peaks alum has been wed to Heather Helm since 2000. They share daughters Addison and Macey and son Liam.
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The Bio-Dome actress played Tatum Riley, best friend of Sidney. She went on to star in movies including Jawbreaker, Monkeybone and Machete. From 2001 to 2006, she appeared in the WB series Charmed. In 2018, she authored the memoir Brave after going public with a sexual assault allegation against Harvey Weinstein.
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The comedian appeared as Randy Meeks, a friend of Sidney's who was also a horror movie enthusiast. His post-Scream credits include Enemy of the State, Bowfinger, Three Kings, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Son of the Mask and Surviving the Wild. He dated his Ghost Whisperer costar Jennifer Love Hewitt from 2009 to 2010.
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The Tony winner played Cotton Weary, the original suspect in the murder of Sidney's mother. After Scream, he appeared in movies including The Painted Veil, Hamlet, The Manchurian Candidate, Defiance, Creed and The Butler. From 2013 to 2020, he played the title role on Showtime's drama Ray Donovan. He shares two sons, Sasha and Kai, with ex Naomi Watts.
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