SUNDAY AM: The David Ellison-owned Paramount is celebrating its first major No. 1 opening of the year as Spyglass’ Scream 7 ushers in a record-setting franchise opening with a domestic total of $64.1M and an impressive $97.2M globally. This marks the highest horror opening ever for Paramount, surpassing Paranormal Activity 3’s $52.5M, and sets a new benchmark for February horror films, outpacing 2001’s Hannibal ($58M).
Shaun Barber, Paramount’s Head of Domestic Theatrical Distribution, remarked, “Breaking the franchise record with the seventh installment illustrates the franchise’s enduring strength, Ghostface’s iconic status, and the talent behind the project.”
The success of Scream 7 is driven by a mix of longtime fans and a new generation of viewers, with 77% of the audience aged between 18-44. Securing IMAX bookings, especially coinciding with Ghostface’s 30th anniversary, greatly contributed to the film’s success over the weekend.
Although there was some backlash regarding the un-casting of Melissa Barrera, Paramount successfully built momentum around Scream 7 through a positive marketing campaign that highlighted the series’ 30th anniversary and Neve Campbell’s return. The campaign’s theme, “It All Leads to This,” connected the events of the original 1996 film to the latest installment featuring Sidney Prescott and her daughter.
Gary Barber, Chairman and CEO of Spyglass Media Group, stated, “This record-breaking box office is a testament to the legacy created by our director, Kevin Williamson, 30 years ago, supported by phenomenal cast members like Neve Campbell and Isabel May.” He commended everyone at Paramount for their unwavering support since the beginning and highlighted the film’s marketing campaign.
IMAX and other premium formats contributed 40% of the domestic box office, with IMAX alone generating $7.1M globally for Scream 7. This is the first time any Scream film has been shown in IMAX, enhancing the film’s reach significantly. Of its global earnings, $33M came from 52 international markets, representing 90% of its foreign distribution and marking a major milestone for the series.
Breaking down the international earnings, Scream 7 earned $22M in Europe, $7.7M in Latin America, and $3.4M in the Asia Pacific. The marketing strategies, which included eye-catching stunts in various countries, were pivotal to enhancing its visibility and reputation.
