One of the most beloved horror films of all time is now streaming for free, just in time to get fans caught up as the franchise’s next chapter arrives.
The original Scream (1996), often hailed as the greatest horror movie ever made, is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer, alongside Scream 2 and Scream 3.
With Scream 7 hitting cinemas today, it’s the perfect excuse to revisit the film that reinvented the slasher genre.
Directed by the late Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, Scream changed horror forever when it debuted in the 90s. Blending genuine scares with razor-sharp self-awareness, the film poked fun at horror tropes while still delivering some of the most iconic moments in genre history.
Ghostface became one of the most iconic horror movie baddies of all time, and the film also offered one of cinema’s most enduring ‘final girls,’ Sidney Prescott.
Nearly 30 years on, fans still hold the original in towering regard.
On Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer described it as ‘Absolutely a masterpiece,’ while another called it ‘One of the best slasher films of all time.’
Another fan praised its lasting impact, writing: ‘A horror classic, man…This completely reinvigorated the slasher genre, with an interesting meta-approach and a great set of characters, with it being a legitimately fun mystery, too.
‘It’s thoroughly entertaining, and introduces one of the better final girls of all time in Sidney Prescott. Even in a franchise that’s still running strong, the original remains easily its best.’
What’s your favourite Scream movie?
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Scream (1996)
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Scream 2
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Scream 3
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Scream 4
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Scream (2022)
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Scream 6
Scream franchise: Rotten Tomatoes scores and where to watch
- Scream (1996) – 78% RT Score – Streaming on: BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount Plus
- Scream 2 (1997) – 83% RT Score – Streaming on: BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount Plus
- Scream 3 (2000) – 45% RT Score – Streaming on: BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount Plus
- Scream 4 (2011) – 61% RT Score – Available to rent or buy digitally on Amazon, Apple, YouTube and Rakuten TV
- Scream (2022) – 76% RT Score – Streaming on: Paramount Plus
- Scream 6 (2023) – 77% RT Score – Available to rent or buy digitally on Amazon, Apple, YouTube and Rakuten TV
That influence can still be felt today, with countless modern horror films borrowing Scream’s knowing tone.
The timing of its free streaming release feels no accident. With Scream 7 in cinemas, it’s the perfect time to catch up on the whole franchise.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer curious about what all the fuss is about, revisiting Scream now is a reminder of why it’s still talked about as the gold standard for slasher movies.
Scream 7 is out in cinemas from February 27, 2026.
A version of this article was first published on February 2, 2026.
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