Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Postmodern slasher sequel has language, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Scream 2
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 19 parent reviews
Parents say the movie is a much-anticipated sequel that maintains a strong narrative and character development, but the increased violence and gore make it less suitable for younger audiences compared to the original. While some reviews highlight its clever self-awareness and execution, many agree it is best suited for teenagers and above, especially those familiar with horror films.
- self-aware sequel
- increased violence
- suitable for teens
- strong character development
- not for young children
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 87 kid reviews
Kids say this sequel retains the intensity and cleverness of the original while being slightly less graphic, though it features a higher body count and frequent swearing. Parents should note that while it is more accessible for younger viewers than its predecessor, it still contains notable violence and mature themes.
- less gory
- high body count
- frequent swearing
- accessible for teens
- great sequel
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
SCREAM 2 starts with a screening of new fictional movie Stab, based on the events of the first Scream. When two of the audience members are stabbed to death by an assailant wearing the same black robe and "Ghostface" mask as the murderer on-screen, it looks like history is repeating itself. Meanwhile, Scream survivor Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is in college and trying to get on with her life. But this new spate of murders—and further threatening phone calls from the unknown killer—bring massive media attention to her university. Soon enough, sensationalist reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), Woodsboro deputy Dewey (David Arquette), and even the twitchy man (Liev Schreiber) that Sidney mistakenly accused of killing her mother years before return to town. Randy (Jamie Kennedy), now a film student, compares what's going on to the time-worn clichés in slasher movies, but can his knowledge help stop the killings?
Is It Any Good?
This entertaining sequel to the blockbuster horror-comedy Scream mainly works on the level of a fiendish, darkly funny murder mystery. Considering that Scream 2 was cranked out rapidly (by the same filmmaking team of director Wes Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson), premiering in theaters just a year after the hugely profitable original, the quality is actually pretty good. Once again, it's a sharp whodunit wrapped in the clichés of a Hollywood slasher-horror film, with characters who are amusingly aware of how these things normally play out. This time, the clever banter is broadened to include the racist tropes of the genre and the impact of on-screen violence on people's behavior. But those exchanges rarely go deep into the topic or take any definite moral position.
Maybe because the casualties are no longer underaged, or the slashing isn't quite so savage, or maybe even because there's a growing affection between squabbling Gale and Dewey—actors Arquette and Cox married in real-life after meeting on set—the results don't feel as grisly. Still, Scream 2 includes its fair share of bloody violence, language, and sexual references, even if younger viewers might be tempted by its lighter tone.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the messages in Scream 2. How does the film use comedy and self-awareness to comment on both genre clichés and society more widely?
Neve Campbell has played central character Sidney throughout the franchise. What positive character traits does she possess, and how do her experiences make her stronger? Do you think her experiences negatively affect how she approaches her life? Do you think she's a role model? Why, or why not?
The Scream franchise combines horror and comedy. What other movies mix the two, and how do they compare? Why do you think the two genres so easily go hand in hand?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 12, 1997
- On DVD or streaming : August 12, 2001
- Cast : David Arquette , Neve Campbell , Jamie Kennedy , Courteney Cox
- Director : Wes Craven
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Dimension
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : School ( College & Graduate School )
- Run time : 120 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, mature themes, profanity
- Last updated : February 14, 2026
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