Entertainment journalist Ashley Cullins delivers a wonderful tribute to the Scream franchise with Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror—a true and genuine love letter to the fans of the classic films. Nostalgic, yet entertaining, Your Favorite Scary Movie captures the essence of what makes these films so iconic and beloved even after nearly three decades.
Cullins examines the making and impact of the Scream films with behind-the-scenes insight from cast, creators, and crew, as well as sharp analysis on how the movies’ special blend of gruesome violence and humorous self-awareness rewrote the horror playbook. This intimate and thorough history includes brand-new interviews from Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Kevin Williamson, Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard, Jack Quaid, Parker Posey, Hayden Panettiere, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Radio Silence, Roger L. Jackson, and so many more.
While I was only 10 when the film hit theaters, Scream has still be one of my all-time favorite films–not just amongst horror movies, but across all movies. Strangely, despite my deep love for the film, I’ve never really explored much about its origins, production, or behind-the-scenes stories. Usually, when I am passionate about something, I tend to deep dive into its creation, on-set stories, and the legacy it has built. However, with Scream, it’s always been solely about the pure love for the film itself and the enjoyment of watching it. Ashley Cullins has changed that, and I am better for it.
Your Favorite Scary Movie brings us back to the film’s early days, when it was originally titled Scary Movie before being rebranded with the more iconic Scream. Cullins weaves in insights and commentary from our favorite characters and creators, adding such rich depth to the franchise’s storied history. What surprised and impressed me a ton was how thoroughly the book explores the entire Scream series—not just the original flick, but every installment released so far.
Told in chronological order, Your Favorite Scary Movie takes us on a ride from the inception of Scream all the way to present day, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses that span nearly 30 years. Cullins gives us discussion from the actors about why they auditioned in the first place, what drew them back for future installments, and gain a deeper understanding of the sure brilliance franchise creator Kevin Williamson and original director Wes Craven. These snippets gave me a whole new perspective on the films.
Your Favorite Scary Movie deepens my appreciation for the incredible Scream film series, movies that are far more than just average horror flicks, but movies that redefined and reimagined the horror genre. The franchise has become a defining part of the horror legacy, with each installment cleverly building on the last in ways few could have anticipated. Thanks to Ashley Cullins, who dives deep into the world of Scream with such outstanding insight and passion that gives me even more reason to revisit each film over and over again.
Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror hits bookstores everywhere on August 19, 2025 from Plume. The audiobook, narrated by Ghostface himself Roger L. Jackson, is available for preorder at Libro.fm!
