All Scream Franchise Opening Kills, Ranked From Iconic To Supreme

The opening kill, which sets the tone for the entire movie, is one of the most intriguing and terrifying moments of any Scream installment. From the iconic 13-minute opening sequence with Drew Barrymore to the gory and bloody one with Scream Queen Samara Weaving.

Here are all six opening kills from the Scream franchise, ranked from simply iconic to supreme.

6. Scream 5 (2022)

This time, the 2022 reboot breaks the opening scene tradition by not resulting in the death of a character, as Tara survives but ends up in the hospital. However, the scene adds fresh elements and introduces a new generation of teenagers, while still paying homage to the original films.

Though less gruesome, this opening's mix of references and suspense effectively sets the tone for a new Scream franchise era.

5. Scream 3 (2000)

When Liev Schreiber appeared as Cotton Weary in the opening scene of Scream 3, the audience knew that it was about to get real. After a tense phone call, Cotton's attempts to save his girlfriend fail and they both end up getting killed by Ghostface.

While the scene is intense and Schreiber's performance adds suspense, it's disappointing to see Cotton’s character meet such an early and swift end.

4. Scream 4 (2011)

Featuring Lucy Hale, Anna Paquin, and Kristen Bell, Scream 4 boasts the most star-studded opening of the franchise. The opening scene cleverly uses the fictional Stab movie as a meta-commentary on horror clichés and as a playful jab at previous entries in the franchise.

The hyper-meta sequence shows two teenagers being killed by Ghostface, only to reveal that they were characters in a fictional movie, setting up the chain that continues until it reaches the real Scream universe.

3. Scream 6 (2023)

The Scream franchise is known for its meta-satire, and the opening scene of Scream 6 plays its trump card to the fullest. Samara Weaving's scene highlights the dangers of New York's crowded streets, and Jason killing Weaving's Laura is chilling, but the twist of the real Ghostface killing the first two Ghostfaces heightens the terror and sets the stage for a more brutal massacre.

2. Scream 2 (1997)

Living up to the franchise's reputation for suspense, the second installment delivers a powerful opening kill. A young couple, Maureen and Phil, attend a screening of the fictional movie Stab, and while Phil is attacked by Ghostface after going to the bathroom, Maureen falls victim to the killer while still seated.

Covered in blood, she wanders in front of the theater audience but only gets called out for covering the screen, making the opening scene an important reminder that Scream is not only a horror film but also a comedy.

1. Scream (1996)

Serving as the blueprint for all subsequent sequels and reboots, the original Scream boasts the quintessential opening scene. What begins innocently enough takes a sinister turn when Drew Barrymore's character, Casey, who is home alone, receives a creepy phone call asking for her favorite scary movie.

Drew Barrymore's stellar performance and iconic opening kill not only set the tone for the movie but redefined the horror genre itself.