Scream 2

Play trailer

2:16

Scream 2

R

1997

2h 0m

Horror

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

133 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Sydney (Neve Campbell) and tabloid reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) survived the events of the first Scream, but their nightmare isn't over. When two college students are murdered at a sneak preview of Stab, a movie based on the events from the first film, it's clear a copycat killer is on the loose. Sydney and Gail, as well as fellow survivors Deputy Dewey (David Arquette) and Randy (Jamie Kennedy) have to find out who is behind this new murder spree, before they all end up dead.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

As with the first film, Scream 2 is a gleeful takedown of scary movie conventions that manages to poke fun at terrible horror sequels without falling victim to the same fate.

Read Critics Reviews

Peter Howell

Toronto Star

02/06/2025

3/4

A howling great time.

Go to Full Review

Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

02/06/2025

It's nothing like as inventive as the first Nightmare on Elm Street, but it's much more thoughtful and provocative than most genre horror movies, and more fun.

Go to Full Review

Joe Holleman

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

02/06/2025

2.5/4

Good in the first half, begins to fade when new ideas are all used up and then finally staggers exhausted to the finish line.

Go to Full Review

Josh Winning

Radio Times

Oct 30

4/5

Scream 2 successfully takes the rules of a sequel - higher body count, bigger set-pieces - and delivers a film that intensifies everything from the self-aware humour and the death scenes to the emotional connections between its cast of characters.

Go to Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Sep 11

3/5

Feels less like the sequel that fans deserved and instead like one rushed into production to strike while the slasher iron was hot. Still, it's not without its charm and scares.

Go to Full Review

Joseph Tomastik

Loud and Clear Reviews

05/14/2025

4/5

This sequel properly continues the story of the original, lays even more crucial groundwork for its own sequels to play with, and establishes that the Scream formula can be replicated with the right amount of twists and turns.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Damien S.

@Damien197384 Jun 23

The movie is really good definitely recommend

See more

Garry A

@heavyg Jun 20

Like the original there is the clever movie references. Not of the sequels are as good as the 1st film but this one was fun.

See more

Justin G

@Rotten999 Jun 5

There is something AWESOME about this sequel because how did they make Ghostface so much deadlier, like I gave this movie a 10/10. Do to how insane it was and the killer review was also good.(not spoiling that either) But everything about this movie is so great, I just love the new characters in this film and Sidney’s awkward relationship ship with gale. 😂😂😂 But anyway i was not expecting the second movie to be this good like it was better then the first a bunch of times. But again not the number number 1 movie in the world. But it is the best movie off all the scream franchise( my opinion again I would love your thoughts if you like or dislike this movie.) But to Wrap this review up this movie was just great I had an awesome time watching it and how creative these scream movies are. Stay Scary y'all!🔪👻

See more

Isaac L

@GHOST90276 May 28

“ 🔪 SCREAM, Gale at her BEST🩸” - SCREAM II

See more

Dave T

@RT01359016 May 17

A rare sequel that is almost good as the original. It effectively explores on Sidney's backstory while still being a masterclass in tension and pacing.

See more

Blake- N

@PBSAniDom May 10

Scream 2 is a fantastic sequel that manages to expand on what made the original so effective while still keeping the same sharp identity. It understands the balance between horror and self-aware humor, and it carries that tone really well. What makes it stand out is how confidently it builds on the first film without feeling like a simple repeat. The pacing is tight, and the tension is handled in a way that keeps everything engaging from start to finish. The cast continues to deliver strong performances, with returning characters feeling naturally developed rather than forced. The film also introduces new elements that keep the story feeling fresh while still respecting what came before it. Overall, it’s a very strong sequel that proves the formula can evolve without losing its edge. I rate it a 9/10 for its atmosphere, energy, and smart continuation of the story.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Wes Craven

Director

David Arquette

Dwight "Dewey" Riley

Neve Campbell

Sidney Prescott

Courteney Cox

Gale Weathers

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Casey "Cici" Cooper

Jamie Kennedy

Randy Meeks

Scream 2: Official Clip - Stabbed in the Back

2:11

Scream 2: Official Clip - Omega Beta Killer

2:01

Scream 2: Official Clip - It's Showtime!

2:13

Scream 2: Official Clip - A Mother's Love

2:11

Scream 2: Official Clip - Killer Opening

2:12

Scream 2: Official Clip - The Rules for Sequels

2:15

Scream 2: Official Clip - Sequels Suck!

2:08

Scream 2: Official Clip - I'm Gonna Blame the Movies

2:08

Scream 2: Official Clip - Killer In The Chorus

2:12

Scream 2: Official Clip - That Was Intense

2:13

View more videos

Scream 3

45%

38%

Scream 3

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Scream 3

Scream

78%

80%

Scream

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Scream

Scream 4

61%

57%

Scream 4

Watchlist

Feast

56%

59%

Feast

Watchlist

Tales From the Hood

60%

69%

Tales From the Hood

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

“Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong” About… The Scream Movies

What Happened to Cinema’s Virginal Final Girl?

New on Netflix October 2019

Scream 2: Trailer 1

2:16

Movieclips: Scream's Bloodiest Kills and Funniest Scenes

35:42

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Sydney (Neve Campbell) and tabloid reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) survived the events of the first Scream, but their nightmare isn't over. When two college students are murdered at a sneak preview of Stab, a movie based on the events from the first film, it's clear a copycat killer is on the loose. Sydney and Gail, as well as fellow survivors Deputy Dewey (David Arquette) and Randy (Jamie Kennedy) have to find out who is behind this new murder spree, before they all end up dead.

Director: Wes Craven
Producer: Cathy Konrad, Marianne Maddalena
Screenwriter: Kevin Williamson, Kevin Williamson
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Craven-Maddalena Films, Miramax Films, Konrad Pictures, Dimension Films, Maven Entertainment Inc.
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 21, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $101.3M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)