Scary Movie 6 is scheduled to arrive in theaters on June 12, 2026, and it marks a deliberate reunion of the franchise creators and original stars. The Wayans brothers, Keenen Ivory, Marlon and Shawn, are back as writers and producers, Michael Tiddes is directing, and Anna Faris and Regina Hall will reprise the roles of Cindy Campbell and Brenda Meeks, respectively. The film is being financed by Miramax and will be distributed worldwide by Paramount, under the companies' existing arrangement.
Where this fits in the franchise
The Scary Movie series launched in 2000 as a broad, R-rated spoof of contemporary horror films, and it spawned several sequels through 2013. The brand has been a reliable money maker over time, with the overall franchise gross approaching the high hundreds of millions worldwide. The sixth entry arrives after more than a decade away from mainstream attention, and it is positioned as both a return to the series' roots, and as a fresh take for modern audiences.
Development and production timeline
The project was first publicly flagged at CinemaCon in April 2024, when Miramax and Paramount signaled development of a new Scary Movie entry. By October 2024 the Wayans brothers had confirmed they would return to write and produce, reuniting the original creative core for the first time in many years. Key public milestones reported since then include the announced casting of Faris and Hall in August 2025, additional casting rounds later that year, and a production period in late 2025 that sources report began in October 2025 and wrapped in late November 2025. Post-production has proceeded through early 2026 as the release date remains set for June 12, 2026.
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Production timeline (reported):
- April 2024: Miramax/Paramount announce new Scary Movie in development
- October 29, 2024: Wayans brothers confirm return to write and produce
- August 15, 2025: Anna Faris and Regina Hall publicly announced as returning
- Oct 1, 2025 (reported): Principal photography begins
- Nov 24, 2025 (reported): Principal photography wraps
- June 12, 2026: Theatrical release date
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Cast and creative team
Below is the core creative lineup and the principal cast members who have been publicly reported as attached to Scary Movie 6:
Role | Name |
|---|---|
Producers / Writers | Keenen Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Rick Alvarez |
Director | Michael Tiddes |
Lead returning cast | Anna Faris (Cindy Campbell), Regina Hall (Brenda Meeks) |
Returning franchise vets | Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Jon Abrahams, Lochlyn Munro, Dave Sheridan, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott |
Newer additions and cameos reported | Damon Wayans Jr., Kim Wayans, Heidi Gardner, Olivia Rose Keegan, Savannah Lee Nassif, Sydney Park, Gregg Wayans |
Table note: Casting reports have varied by outlet and some roles have not been publicly specified, so the list above reflects reported names rather than confirmed character assignments in every case.
Tone and targets: what the filmmakers say, and what to expect
Marlon Wayans has publicly described the sixth film as a return to the original "Wayans flavor," promising an R-rated, broad and aggressive comedic tone. That is consistent with public statements from the creative team, who have framed the movie as a reunion meant to recapture the slapstick, pop culture lampooning and outraged-laughter approach of the early films.
Industry reporting and early coverage suggest the new movie will spoof a mixture of recent horror touchstones and current pop-culture targets, pairing modern titles with the old favorites that defined the franchise's earliest entries. Trailers and promotional materials released in early 2026 began to tease that modern horror films and streaming-era hits will be in the crosshairs, while the creative team has signaled a desire to balance nostalgia for longtime fans with fresh references for new viewers.
Reactions, expectations and multiple viewpoints
Fans largely greeted the reunion news with enthusiasm, citing the chemistry of Anna Faris and Regina Hall and the comic signature the Wayans brothers originally brought to the series. Longtime viewers expect a return to broad, sometimes transgressive comedy, and early social chatter shows a mix of nostalgia and curiosity about how the franchise will translate to a modern theatrical summer release.
At the same time critics and cultural observers remain cautious. The Scary Movie films have a mixed critical record, with later sequels receiving poor reviews, and some commentators have flagged potential pitfalls: humor that reads as dated, jokes that rely on shock rather than craft, and the challenges of satirizing films and social trends that are more complex than those targeted in 2000. Cultural commentators also note the question of timing, given the crowded summer slate and a changed landscape for comedy and horror.
Marketing and release strategy
Paramount and Miramax have scheduled a wide theatrical opening for June 12, 2026, an intentional summer placement that aims to capture audiences looking for a mainstream comedy alternative to action tentpoles. Early promotional activity in early 2026 included trailer placements attached to other major horror releases to reach core genre fans, and social posts from principal players helped fuel awareness. The marketing push appears to lean on reunion messaging, nostalgia and a clear promise of the franchise's original brand of absurd parody.
"We can’t wait to bring Brenda and Cindy back to life and be reunited with our great friends," the reunited actresses said in a joint statement, capturing the reunion tone the campaign emphasizes.
Box office outlook and the economics of revivals
The Scary Movie series has historically been profitable when it connected with mainstream audiences at the turnstiles, and the first film recorded a notable opening in 2000. Reboots and nostalgia-driven sequels can perform well if they find both old fans and curious newcomers, but success in 2026 will depend on marketing, word of mouth, and how the film compares to competing releases that summer. The film is also the product of a Miramax financing and Paramount distribution partnership, a business model that positions it for traditional studio release windows and theatrical-first promotion.
Conclusion
Scary Movie 6 represents a clear attempt to restore the original creative formula while updating the satire for contemporary genre targets. The Wayans brothers and returning stars have framed the project as a back-to-basics revival, and with a June 12, 2026 release date, the film will be an early test of whether legacy comedy brands can thrive again on the big screen. For viewers, the decision will likely come down to appetite for the franchise's particular brand of raunchy parody, and to whether the new film can balance nostalgia with smarter, sharper satire.
If you want to track developments, watch for the official trailer and studio statements through spring 2026, and expect further casting or marketing updates as the release approaches.