Common Sense Media Review
By Beth Pratt
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stereotypes, crude sex references in horror spoof.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Scary Movie
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 32 parent reviews
Parents say the movie is a mix of raunchy humor and violence, with many reviews labeling it inappropriate for younger audiences due to explicit content. While some find it hilarious and a classic comedy, others warn that its humor may not be suitable for children or sensitive viewers, recommending it only for mature teens.
- inappropriate
- raunchy humor
- mature audience
- comical violence
- parental guidance
- classic comedy
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 128 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a hilarious parody that mixes crude humor with violence, making it a hit for older teens, though it contains substantial sexual content and foul language that may not be suitable for younger viewers. Despite the negative opinions about its explicitness and ridiculousness, many praise its ability to generate laughter, particularly among those familiar with 90s horror films.
- hilarious parody
- crude humor
- sexual content
- teen recommendation
- violent scenes
- mixed opinions
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
SCARY MOVIE is a spoof of Scream and other teen horror movies from the 1990s, which themselves often lampoon traditional horror flicks. It follows a group of teens who try to carry on with their normal lives while a serial killer terrorizes their town. Central character Cindy (Anna Faris) is just trying to make it through high school and keep her boyfriend Bobby (Jon Abrahams) happy with their relatively tame sex life. Their friends—including Brenda (Regina Hall), Buffy (Shannon Elizabeth), Greg (Lochlyn Munro), Ray (Shawn Wayans), and Shorty (Marlon Wayans)—are mostly looking to drink, smoke, and have a good time, but we all know where that gets you in horror films.
Is It Any Good?
The writers often go for the cheap laugh in this fun but crass movie, and even though the nature of spoofs often means they call out stereotypes, much of the humor still comes at the expense of marginalized groups. While Scary Movie's thin plot mirrors scenes from Scream, the comparison ends there. There's very little in the way of witty dialogue or engaging characters. Instead, humor comes mostly from the most obvious joke or the angle that takes the most joy in its own bad taste. And the scenes involving male organs and bodily fluids feel like reheated Farrelly brothers (There's Something About Mary) without the laughs.
A costumed killer chases a flatulent, underwear-clad character and stabs her, piercing her breast implant. A grandmother is thrown down steps to impede a killer's progress. A deputy with an intellectual disability soils his pants. Are you in hysterics yet? If not, Scary Movie will only frighten you with its crudeness. But not all of the movie's humor is as juvenile as it might seem; some jokes—like a scene in which a group of guys and the costumed killer re-create the famous "Whassup!" beer commercial—might evoke hearty laughter from those who remember its influence. Such humor, however, has its limitations. If you don't know the references that were made fun of, you're unlikely to find it funny.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the humor in Scary Movie. Where do you think the line is between funny and offensive? How does the movie use stereotypes for humor? Does it feel like it just leans into them or does it challenge them in any way?
The movie combines violence and humor. Why do you think that's such a popular combination? Can you think of other movies that do a similar thing? How do they compare?
The film was very current in its references back in its 2000 release. Do the jokes still land? What are the positives and potential negatives of humor that's very "of its time"? Are there particular aspects of the movie that do or don't feel relevant today?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 7, 2000
- On DVD or streaming : October 13, 2001
- Cast : Marlon Wayans , Shannon Elizabeth , Shawn Wayans
- Director : Keenen Ivory Wayans
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , African American Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Dimension
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong crude sexual humor, language, drug use and violence
- Last updated : April 29, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate