Summary (tl;dr)

A new installment of the Scary Movie franchise, featuring the return of original creators Marlon and Shawn Wayans, is being released today, June 5, 2026, and early reviews compiled on Rotten Tomatoes indicate a largely negative critical reception.

Essential Background

The Scary Movie franchise is a series of popular horror-comedy parody films that gained significant traction in the early 2000s, known for spoofing contemporary horror films and pop culture. The first two highly successful films, released in 2000 and 2001, were notably helmed by the Wayans family, including Marlon and Shawn Wayans, who wrote, produced, and starred in them. Following creative conflicts, the Wayans brothers departed the franchise after Scary Movie 2, and subsequent sequels were produced without their direct involvement, leading to a perceived shift in the series' comedic style and critical appeal. The last installment, Scary Movie 5, was released in 2013.

The Full Story

Interest in the Scary Movie franchise, Rotten Tomatoes, and the Wayans brothers is surging due to the release of "Scary Movie 6" (simply titled Scary Movie) today, June 5, 2026. This new film marks the highly anticipated return of Marlon and Shawn Wayans, along with Keenen Ivory Wayans, as writers and producers, their first involvement since Scary Movie 2. Many original cast members, including Anna Faris and Regina Hall, also reprise their roles. The film aims to parody recent horror hits and popular culture, including "cancel culture".

The movie's release date was moved up from June 12 to June 5, 2026, by Paramount Pictures following a strong positive reception to its teaser trailer, with Marlon Wayans making the announcement via an Instagram post. However, the initial wave of critical reviews has been predominantly negative, with the film currently holding a "rotten" score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics generally acknowledge the significance of the Wayans brothers' return but often note that the humor feels dated or lacks sufficient fresh comedic material to justify the reboot. Shawn Wayans has stated that the film, which was entirely shot in Atlanta, serves a bigger purpose today by offering much-needed laughter in a stressful world.

Why It Matters

The trending keywords highlight a significant public interest in the revival of a beloved comedy franchise and the return of its original creative forces. The Scary Movie series holds a nostalgic place for many, and the Wayans brothers' comedic style defined the early films. Their return, after more than two decades, represents a potential attempt to recapture that original essence, generating buzz among fans eager to see if the new film can deliver the same brand of irreverent humor. The mixed-to-negative critical reception on Rotten Tomatoes underscores the challenge of reviving a long-dormant franchise and adapting its humor to a contemporary audience, while also demonstrating the ongoing divergence that can exist between critical opinions and audience expectations for popular comedies. The film is expected to perform well at the box office despite the reviews.

Geographic Location

• Hollywood, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (premiere of "Scary Movie" at the Paramount Theatre)
• Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States (primary filming location for "Scary Movie")
• United States (scheduled release of "Scary Movie" by Paramount Pictures)