Scream

Years after her mother is murdered, a high school girl finds herself pulled into a terrifying game when a masked killer targets her circle of friends. The killer taunts the group with rules based challenges and a torrent of movie minded traps, drawing on their knowledge of scary films to decide who lives or dies. As paranoia spreads through the town, the cast of freshmen and seniors must decide who to trust while coping with the ever present threat of a killer who seems to watch their every move. What begins as a string of gruesome incidents quickly spirals into a chilling cat and mouse duel where survival hinges on wits and nerve as loyalties are tested in the end.

Directed by Wes Craven from an original screenplay by Kevin Williamson, Scream arrived in 1996 as a self aware yet terrifying modern slasher that redefined the genre without relying on tired clichés. It blended humor with suspense and savvy meta.

Its box office success sparked a horror trend. The film earned about 173 million worldwide against a modest budget, turning Craven and Williamson's project into a significant box office hit and helping launch a continuing series of films and merchandise.

It earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, reflecting Williamson's witty, self aware writing and Craven's deft handling of tension. The film also drew attention from genre awards circuits, cementing Scream as a standout of late 90s horror. Critics praised the screenplay's wit and Craven's suspenseful direction overall.

Its opening sequence and meta approach reshaped audience expectations, turning horror into a conversation about the genre itself. The film sparked a wave of self referential thrillers, a memorable roster of quotable lines and scenes, and a lasting influence on pop culture. Its influence echoes in contemporary horror and thrillers.