Published on February 13, 2025 on page 10 of The Snapper.
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Warning: may contain spoilers from the “Scream” franchise.

The “Scream” franchise has been a classic ongoing staple of the horror genre since its release in 1996. With its even blend of adrenaline-building slasher vibes, comedy, and success, “Scream 7” had fans bearing a variety of expectations. Below are my predictions for the next installment of the “Scream” franchise.

Legacy Continuation

Each film in the “Scream” franchise has followed a legacy of the original characters in some way, most relating back to the original killers Stu Macher and Billy Loomis. “Scream 7” will most likely follow this same format, and even possibly bring back the trope of family members being the killers. I also predict that there will be some type of legacy character for Dewey Riley after his death in “Scream 5.” This will possibly be a family member or new police officer character who embodies similar personality traits as Dewey.

Returning Ghostface

A popular fan theory is that Stu Macher never actually died in the original “Scream.” After Stu’s actor, Matthew Lillard, has confirmed that he is joining the cast for “Scream 7,” fans have speculated that this theory may be true. Lillard has been a fan favorite since the original and aside from a small extra role in “Scream 2,” making his return a big deal. Whether his role in “Scream 7” will be a flashback or present-day Stu, it is a safe guess that he is still alive and could possibly play Ghostface again.

Meta Commentary

It’s no secret even from the original “Scream” that it takes inspiration from a lot of other classic horror movies. From the original killers to the Meeks family, there are loads of acclaim for other films with some sort of comedic commentary, and it is one of the aspects of “Scream” that makes this franchise such a huge hit. With “Scream 7,” this commentary will most likely continue with references to some more modern-day horror films like “Ready or Not” or the “Fear Street” films.

With “Scream 7” releasing next year, 30 years after the release of the original “Scream,” it is sure to fulfill some of the expectations of its fans. “Scream 7” started production in January of this year and is scheduled for release in February 2026.