Parents' Guide to Scream

The film made a huge impact upon its release in 1996, cleverly playing on the horror genre rules in a way that felt smart and fresh. Directed by horror icon Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street) and written by Kevin Williamson (who went on to create the likes of The Faculty and Dawson's Creek), Scream brought a sharper level of intelligence, production values, and acting talent to the teen slashers that exploded in ticket sales almost 20 years earlier. The result was a hit that appealed to aficionados with its in-jokes and array of movie references and to audiences just looking for a fun teen slasher with a few good scares and a modern twist. Here, the media-savvy characters are hungry for real-life drama yet desensitized to its outcome -- a theme that runs throughout the Scream franchise.

It's a testament to the original that Scream has continued to make itself relevant to new audiences, with four more films released over the following 25 years, continuing to attract big names like Drew Barrymore, Luke Wilson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kristen Bell, David Schwimmer, and Laurie Metcalf. But don't be lulled by the star power and satire: The violence here is brutal, intense, and gory. Though the thrilling pace, high school drama, and steady jolts will likely keep young audiences watching, this movie is best for older teens and adults.