The first batch of Scary Movie reviews has hit Rotten Tomatoes, and so far, the critics are mostly trashing the new reboot.
A score has not been posted yet, but judging by the early reviews, this one looks headed for a rotten rating.
Then again, with a movie like Scary Movie, the critics score probably doesn’t matter all that much. The franchise has never been a critics’ darling.
Most of the previous movies are rotten on Rotten Tomatoes, including Scary Movie at 52%, Scary Movie 2 at 13%, Scary Movie 3 at 36%, Scary Movie 4 at 34%, and Scary Movie V at 4%.
The fan scores are also rotten across the board, but that hasn’t stopped people from watching them, quoting them, and coming back for more.
Scary Movie has now spawned six movies, which says a lot more than a Rotten Tomatoes score ever could. These movies are raunchy, dumb, offensive, hit-or-miss, and built for people who know exactly what they are getting.
The critics may hate it. The audience may still show up. Check out what the reviews say below.
Scary Movie Reviews Say The Wayans Brothers Are Back, But The Jokes Don’t Always Land
The early Scary Movie reviews say the reboot brings the Wayans brothers back to the franchise they helped launch, but critics are not exactly rolling in the aisles.
The main reaction is that the movie has the right targets but not enough strong jokes. It goes after recent horror hits and modern franchise culture, but many critics say the references feel obvious, dated, and too easy.
Some reviews say the movie works best when it leans into the Wayans brothers reclaiming their own franchise. Others say the reboot feels like it is just repeating old Scary Movie tricks without making them feel new again.
So the big takeaway is simple: critics like the idea of the Wayans brothers coming back, but many don’t think the movie delivers enough laughs to justify the return. Check out what the negative and positive reviews say below.
The Negative Reviews Say Scary Movie Is Lazy, Dated, And Not Funny Enough
The negative reviews are brutal.
Region Free gives the movie 1/5 and says it is “not a movie” but an “endurance test of misery.” Little White Lies also gives it 1/5 and says recognition alone cannot pass as a punchline.
Empire gives the movie 2/5 and says the posters parodying recent horror films are funnier than the film itself. The Daily Express calls it “mostly pretty rubbish, juvenile and filthy,” though it admits there are occasional moments of comic gold.
Dread Central says the cast has enough charisma to keep the movie from totally bottoming out, but the jokes are “nearly always dead on arrival.” HeyUGuys gives it 1/5 and asks whether this was really the best anyone involved could do.
The harshest criticism is that the humor feels stuck in the past. Several reviews say the movie is too obvious, too dated, and too reliant on simply naming or copying recent horror movies instead of turning them into sharp jokes.
The Positive Reviews Say Scary Movie Still Has Some Laughs And The Wayans Return Matters
The positive reviews are more forgiving, and they mostly focus on the return of the Wayans brothers.
Discussing Film gives Scary Movie a fresh 3/5 and says not all of the recent horror references work, but there is something meaningful about seeing the Wayans brothers reclaim the franchise and reject the idea that they could be replaced.
IndieWire gives the movie a C+ and says the Wayans have mostly reclaimed the franchise they founded. For longtime Scary Movie fans, that alone may carry enough emotional weight to make the trip to the theater worthwhile.
MovieWeb is also positive, saying the Wayans return after 25 years and have not lost their raunchy parody style. The review calls the movie lewd, idiotic, offensive, and funny, with a handful of big laughs.
Even some of the negative reviews admit the movie has a few moments that work. The Daily Express adds there are occasional belly laughs, while Next Best Picture says it feels good to have the Wayans brothers back, even if the humor is not as fresh as it once was.
So far, the new Scary Movie sounds exactly like the franchise itself: messy, juvenile, offensive, hit-and-miss, and probably critic-proof.
The early reviews are rotten, but Scary Movie was never made for critics. The real test is whether fans still want this kind of comedy in theaters, especially with the Wayans brothers back in the mix.
Scary Movie opens today in theaters.
