Scream
Metascore
65 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
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  1. TNT RoughCut
    Reviewed by: Spencer H. Abbott
    100
    Wes Craven continues to explore (and blur) the lines between reelity and reality with his latest, and perhaps best, cinematic slice of horror.
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    91
    A deft, funny, shrewdly unsettling tribute to such slasher-exploitation thrillers as "Terror Train," "New Year's Evil," and Craven's own "A Nightmare on Elm Street."
  3. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Paul Malcolm
    90
    A meta-horror film that hilariously parodies the genre's clichés with smarts to spare. It's also the scariest fucking movie Craven has made since the first "A Nightmare on Elm Street."
  4. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Keith Phipps
    90
    Finely crafted, tense, scary thriller from start to finish.
  5. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Andy Klein
    90
    Craven's other accomplishment here, besides resuscitating the genre, is the way he keeps things scary even when they're at their funniest. The grand finale, while thoroughly bloody and tense, has some genuinely hilarious shtick.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Thomas
    90
    It's sensational in both senses of the word: a bravura, provocative sendup of horror pictures that's also scary and gruesome yet too swift-moving to lapse into morbidity.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 114 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
  1. grandpajoe6191
    8
    The godfather movie of teenage horror movies, directed by Wes Craven. Simply a enjoyable gore thriller accompanied with popcorn and cola.
  2. heyitsmegrif4
    8
    Scream makes you scream, it makes you laugh, and it keeps your eyes on the screen. And it has an amazing beginning scene. I give this movie 80%. Yeah Wes Craven great job.… Full Review »
  3. AndrewS.
    10
    Quite simply one of the best horror films. Its funny, scary and awesome. Matthew Lilard is definitely the best character.
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