‘Scary Movie’ Scares Up Franchise-Best Opening at Box Office

Scary Movie returned to theaters in a big way this weekend, delivering a record franchise opening.

The horror spoof topped the box office, after ringing up a projected $55 million in ticket sales from 3,490 theaters across the U.S. and Canada, box office tracking company Comscore reported Sunday.

Outside North America, the film earned another $50.5 million, adding up to a global haul of $105.5 million against a reported $30 million production budget. Those numbers marked the best domestic and international debuts in the history of the franchise, per Comscore.

This sixth installment of the film series reunites “Core Four” characters — Shorty (Marlon Wayans), Ray (Shawn Wayans), Cindy (Anna Faris) and Brenda (Regina Hall) — while spoofing recent horror films and popular culture.

“The release date for Scary Movie was perfect and could not have come at a more opportune time,” Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at Comscore, told Urban Hollywood 411.

Added Dergarabedian, “Given the momentum at the box office and the fact that younger moviegoers are genuinely excited about going out to the cinema as hit films like Obsession and Backrooms have demonstrated, Scary Movie has benefitted from all that moviegoing excitement.”

He also praised Scary Movie‘s marketing, noting that “the stars of the film have been everywhere promoting and amplifying the message of the film.”

The cast includes Damon Wayans Jr., Gregg Wayans, Kim Wayans, Benny Zielke, Cameron Scott Roberts, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott, Dave Sheridan, Heidi Gardner, Lochlyn Munro, Olivia Rose Keegan, Ruby Snowber, Savannah Lee Nassif, and Sydney Park.

Michael Tiddes (A Haunted House) directed the film from a script written by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Craig Wayans, and Rick Alvarez.

Related: ‘Scary Movie 6’ Trailer Makes a Mockery of Cancel Culture

The horror comedy marked the Wayans family’s return to the driver’s seat after regaining ownership of the franchise from the Weinstein brothers.

The Wayans launched the franchise in 2000, with Bob and Harvey Weinstein’s Miramax releasing the earlier installments. Following a pay dispute after Scary Movie 2 (2001), the Weinsteins took control and parted ways with the Wayans.

In a 2024 interview with Shannon Sharpe on his “Club Shay Shay” podcast, Marlon Wayans called disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein a thief.

“The first one we got a crappy deal,” Wayans told Sharpe. “We got a good deal for the second one, then Miramax did what they did… they molested us with those deals.”

The Wayans are now back in control, although some film journalists say it’s time for the franchise to evolve. Critics panned Scary Movie 6, handing it a horrifying 26% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Amy Nicholson of the Los Angeles Times called the Paramount Pictures film “dumb and offensive.”

Rendy Jones of Rendy Reviews added, “This mostly unfunny sixth installment takes the lazy approach of just reviving Scary Movie without growing it up.”

Carla Hay of Culture Mix wrote, “This tedious parody of horror flicks is just a collection of lukewarm skits.”

Moviegoers gave the film higher marks with a 70% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Elsewhere this weekend at the box office, Amazon/MGM’s Masters of the Universe underwhelmed and opened in second place. The sword-and-sorcery flick debuted domestically with a lowly $29.3 million against a reported $170–$200 million production budget.

Based on Mattel’s Masters of the Universe toys and action figures, the film stars Nicholas Galitzine, Kristen Wiig, Jared Leto, Idris Elba, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, and Morena Baccarin.

Travis Knight (Bumblebee) directed, with Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Robbie Brenner, and DeVon Franklin producing.

Supernatural horror film Backrooms was third with $25.9 million Friday through Sunday in its second weekend in theaters.

Obsession came in fourth place with $25.6 million in its fourth weekend. The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act opened in fifth place with a weekend total of $12.7 million, and $21 million since it debuted this past Thursday.