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Parents' Guide to

Scary Movie

By Beth Pratt, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

This movie will only frighten you with its crudeness.

Movie R 2000 88 minutes
Scary Movie Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 16+

Based on 41 parent reviews

age 18+
age 18+

Objectifies and demeans - graphic nudity

SHOULD BE NC-17!!!! Breasts, butt, penis , vagina and testicle nudity. Complete objectification for “Humor”. Gratuitous and not funny at all.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (41 ):
Kids say (136 ):

The writers often go for the cheap laugh in this movie, frequently at the expense of minorities. And the scenes involving male organs and bodily fluids feel like reheated Farrelly brothers (There's Something About Mary) without the laughs. While Scary Movie's thin plot mirrors scenes from Scream, the comparison ends there. All three Scream movies relied on witty dialogue and engaging characters, something that Scary Movie desperately lacks.

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 retarded deputy soils his pants. Are you in hysterics yet? If not, Scary Movie will only frighten you with its crudeness. But not all 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 -- evoke hearty laughter from the teen target audience. Such humor, however, has its limitations -- if you don't know the references that were made fun of, you won't find it funny.

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 directors, Black actors, Female actors
  • Studio: Dimension
  • Genre: Horror
  • Run time: 88 minutes
  • MPAA rating: R
  • MPAA explanation: strong crude sexual humor, language, drug use and violence
  • Last updated: February 17, 2023

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