The latest Scary Movie 6 update is exciting and a huge relief, but it’s still not the one I’m waiting for. With so many horror franchises coming back through reboots and long-awaited sequels, and many other successful horror trends gaining force, it was expected that the Scary Movie saga would join the fun. The Scary Movie saga had a strong start in 2000, boosting a trend of parody movies that saw many highs and lows. Scary Movie stood out for mocking movie clichés, trends, and more, mostly from the horror genre, as well as for its sense of humor.
The success of Scary Movie made way for a saga with five movies, though there was a gradual decline in quality and popularity. Scary Movie 5 ended the franchise in 2013 and became the worst entry, but the saga is now getting a second chance with a sixth movie. Scary Movie 6 is already on the right path with the return of franchise creators Keenen Ivory, Shawn, and Marlon Wayans, though it’s unclear if the last two will also star. Now, a recent Scary Movie 6 update is even better news, but it’s still not the update I’m eagerly waiting for.
Scary Movie 6 Is Aiming For An R-Rated Tone Like The First 2 Movies
Scary Movie 6 Is Going Back To The Franchise’s Roots
Despite creating the franchise and thus making it what it is now, the Wayans Brothers were only around for the first two movies. Keenen Ivory directed the first two Scary Movie films, with Shawn and Marlon co-writing with others and starring in both movies as Ray and Shorty, respectively. The departure of the Wayans brothers not only resulted in the mysterious absence of Ray and Shorty but also in a change of tone, and with that, a change in the movies’ ratings.
What led to these movies getting an R-rating was their use of “strong crude” language, Sєxual humor, drug use, violence, and nudity.
The first two Scary Movie films were rated R, which means that viewers under 17 require an accompanying parent or adult guardian. What led to these movies getting this rating was their use of “strong crude” language, Sєxual humor, drug use, violence, and nudity. The rest of the movies in the Scary Movie saga were rated PG-13, for material that parents may consider unsuitable for younger audiences. Luckily, Scary Movie 6 will be going back to the saga’s roots when it comes to its tone.
Wayans shared that they are aiming for an R-rating with Scary Movie 6 and that they are going to have the same fun, tone, and “Wayans flavor” they brought in the first movie.
Speaking to People in March 2025, Marlon Wayans opened up about Scary Movie 6 and what to expect from it. Wayans shared that they are aiming for an R-rating with Scary Movie 6 and that they are going to have the same fun, tone, and “Wayans flavor” they brought in the first movie, adding that they will spice up this new sequel. This is a huge relief after the last three movies and fits the reboot and legacy sequels trend by going back to the roots of the first movie.
What Went Wrong With The Scary Movie Saga After The Second Movie
Scary Movie’s Decline Began With The Third Movie
The decline of the Scary Movie saga began with the departure of the Wayans Brothers after the second movie. Speaking to Variety in 2020, Marlon Wayans explained that he and his brothers were abruptly fired by the Weinsteins, adding that they were “rude and quite disrespectful”, and they couldn’t come to terms on the deal. Wayans also shared that they are still owed money by the Weinsteins, but they ultimately decided not to sue.
In the same recent talk with People, Wayans also said that the sequels that came after Scary Movie 2 were “missing that flavor” that only they can bring, and I agree. Scary Movie 3 and 4 were directed by David Zucker and Scary Movie 5 by Malcolm D. Lee, and the differences from Keenen Ivory Wayans’ direction, along with the stories by his brothers, were very evident. Although Scary Movie 3 and 4 are both considered improvements over Scary Movie 2, their humor was inconsistent, many jokes fell flat and lacked plot in favor of parody.
As mentioned above, Scary Movie 5 is the lowest-rated movie in the saga, and was described by critics as “juvenile”, “appalling”, and “empty.” Scary Movie 6 promises to be a return to the tone, narrative, visual style, and jokes that built the franchise, and they are much-needed after what Scary Movie 5 did.
|
Movie |
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score |
|---|---|
|
Scary Movie |
51% |
|
Scary Movie 2 |
13% |
|
Scary Movie 3 |
35% |
|
Scary Movie 4 |
34% |
|
Scary Movie 5 |
4% |
Now Scary Movie 6 Really Needs Its Original 4 Main Characters Back
They Are Needed For A Successful Return
One of Scary Movie 5’s biggest mistakes was not having the saga’s main characters Cindy (Anna Faris) and Brenda (Regina Hall) back, and Scary Movie 6 definitely needs to learn from this mistake. Although plot details for Scary Movie 6 are currently unknown, it wouldn’t be surprising if it made fun of the trends of reboots and legacy sequels – after all, the movie itself falls into both categories. With that in mind, it would need to bring Cindy and Brenda back to not only qualify as a legacy sequel but make fun of these too.
With the Wayans Brothers already involved, it would be fair to also bring Shorty and Ray back, which would also give Scary Movie 6 an excellent chance to mock sequels, reboots, and legacy sequels. Having Cindy, Brenda, Ray, and Shorty back in Scary Movie 6 would complete the movie’s return to the saga’s roots, and that’s the update I’m eagerly waiting for.
Sources: People, Variety.
