On December 20, 1996 the slasher film “Scream” was released. The film, written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Wes Craven, stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Rose McGowan, Jamie Kennedy, and Drew Barrymore. The film follows high school student Sidney Prescott as she is tormented by a serial killer (Ghostface), along with her friends, in the town of Woodsboro. 

The theatrical poster for “Scream”
Dimension Films

As with every “Scream,” movie, the trailer is known for the opening few seconds of a phone ringing with the Dimension Films logo flashing across the screen:

Drew Barrymore as Casey Becker in “Scream”
Dimension Films

The film’s infamous opening scene with Drew Barrymore:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Tatum Riley (Rose McGowan), sister of Deputy Dewey (David Arquette), encountering Ghostface in “Scream”
Dimension Films

Tatum Riley’s confrontation with Ghostface:

The film uses a combination of tongue-in-cheek humor and slasher violence to satirize horror films. At the time, the film was unique as characters were aware of various popular horror films as they tried to solve the murders that were taking place, knowing they themselves were finding themselves in their own personal horror film. The film itself was loosely inspired by the Gainesvill Ripper killer in Florida, and has been credited for revitalizing the horror film genre in the 90’s (along with 1997’s “I Know What You Did Last Summer). 

Ghostface
Dimension Films

The film itself was a huge success, earning over $170 million worldwide, reaching “cult” status, and spawning three sequels, each sequel becoming a commercial and critical success. In 2013, MTV began development of a weekly series based on the “Scream” films, with the television adaption debuting in 2015. 

Random Pop Culture Fact: “Scream” was released by Walt Disney Studios via their ownership of Dimension Films, the studio Walt Disney Studios used to release their genre films.