Talks of a “Scary Movie” franchise return have been in the air for a while. Last year, comedian, actor, writer and producer Marlon Wayans confirmed a sixth installment to the parody film series “Scary Movie.”
“Scary Movie 6” is set to release June 12 and is directed by Michael Tiddes. The first trailer for the new movie shows ahead of “Scream 7,” which was released in theaters on Friday, Feb. 27.
“Scary Movie 6” plans to bring back the original cast members. The returning lineup from the first movie includes Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Regina Hall, Anna Faris, Lochlyn Munro, Dave Sheridan and Cheri Oteri. Anthony Anderson, who starred in the third and fourth installments, is also returning.
This sixth installment is reportedly parodying more contemporary horror films like Ryan Coogler’s Oscar-nominated “Sinners,” “Weapons,” “A Quiet Place,” “M3GAN,” “Get Out,” “Ma” and “Terrifier.”
The teaser, which has been leaked online, hints at some of these references. The opening scene is a parody of the “Scream 6” subway scene, which also includes a reference to “M3GAN.” The entire teaser is packed with jokes and returns from characters like Cindy, Ray, Shorty and Brenda, who are now older.
This is the first time in 20 years Keenan Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans have collaborated on a movie; the last time being “Little Man” (2006).
This return is huge. The original “Scary Movie” revived the parody movie genre that had begun fading after the '80s. The original film spoofed slasher films like the first “Scream” film and “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” calling attention to horror movie cliches, character tropes and movie logic, while exaggerating those elements.
The first film garnered $277 million worldwide, which set records for its time. At the time, it was the highest-grossing R-rated comedy and also became the highest-grossing opening film for a Black director at the time.
Keenan Wayans directed the first two films, while Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans were screenwriters. Iconic characters came from its hilarious cast like Faris as Cindy, Marlon Wayans as Shorty, Hall as Brenda and Shawn Wayans as Ray.
The Wayans Bros. Entertainment company was involved with the first two movies, which collectively grossed around $419 million. This is where the franchise gets sticky. According to Marlon Wayans, the deal they had with Miramax wasn’t a good one. After the success of the first two movies, Harvey Weinstein, along with his brother Bob Weinstein, forced them out of the franchise and then hired the Zucker Brothers to produce the third one.
Specifically, Miramax attempted to lowball the Wayans brothers. Marlon Wayans, in an interview with Shannon Sharpe, explained that Miramax, for “Scary Movie 3”, tried to offer them the deal they had for the first movie, which was lower than the deal they had for the second movie. The Wayans Brothers would not accept the deal, and as a result, found out through the news that the Zucker Brothers would be producing the third installment.
Before they stepped away from the franchise, they had already pitched ideas for the third movie, which Marlon Wayans claims ended up in the third movie despite them not being involved in it. The third movie, although it did perform well, became the first “Scary Movie” to be rated PG-13.
Regardless, the Wayans Brothers' legacy didn’t start or begin with the “Scary Movie” franchise. The Wayans are a legendary comedy family who starred on “In Living Color,” the same sketch comedy that forced the NFL to get Michael Jackson to do the Super Bowl because they were losing viewership to “In Living Color.” Keenan Wayans is the creator of the legendary sketch show that introduced big names like Jim Carrey to the world.
Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans also had their own sitcom, “The Wayans Bros.” and a long line of other television shows. After “Scary Movie,” the Wayans went on to make hits like 2004’s “White Chicks” and 2006’s “Little Man” and continued in film and television.
Marlon Wayans says if “Scary Movie 6” does well at the box office, he will revive both “White Chicks” and “Don’t Be A Menace in South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood,” both iconic movies in their own right.
The big question people are pondering is how the sixth movie will approach its comedy. The original movies were iconically offensive, known for pushing boundaries with derogatory jokes that landed at the time, but might not translate in 2026.
When Marlon Wayans spoke to Entertainment Weekly, he described his approach for the new movie as “no holds barred and equal opportunity offenders.”
Carmen Electra, who was in the first movie, wouldn’t reveal if she’s returning, and told TMZ she trusts Marlon Wayans can make a sixth installment. “The Wayans aren’t careful, but they’re geniuses at what they do, so it’ll be some fun,” Electra said.
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