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Scary Movie
By Beth Pratt,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
This movie will only frighten you with its crudeness.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Scary Movie
Community Reviews
Based on 41 parent reviews
Objectifies and demeans - graphic nudity
What's the Story?
SCARY MOVIE is a spoof of the Scream movies, which themselves lampoon traditional horror flicks. That would make Scary Movie a spoof of a spoof. The plot, such that it is, revolves around a bunch of stereotypical teens targeted by a crazy killer determined to dispatch the whole gang.
Is It Any Good?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what's funny, and what's offensive and/or stupid. Why do different people find different things funny? Why do parents and kids often laugh at such different things?
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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