Scary Movie Franchise: Nostalgia Can't Save What's Actually Unfunny
The sixth installment of the once-beloved parody series is struggling to land laughs in 2024, proving that some comedy franchises should've quit while ahead.
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Scary Movie is back, and nobody asked for it. The sixth installment of the spoof franchise that once dominated early-2000s comedy is landing with a thud, with critics noting that successful jokes are thin on the ground. From Scream callbacks to takes on Sinners, the film is swinging at everything—and missing most of the time. It's the kind of reboot that makes you appreciate the originals while simultaneously questioning why studios keep mining nostalgia wells that have already run dry.
The real issue? Comedy has changed, and Scary Movie hasn't kept pace. While the NY Times catalogs the film's attempts at gags—including some admittedly creative bits like Saw traps with Dr. Phil—there's a disconnect between effort and execution. These jokes feel musty rather than sharp, obligatory rather than organic. It's like watching a friend desperately try to recreate an inside joke from 2003 at a 2024 dinner party. The energy just isn't there.
This lands in a crowded season of struggling comedy projects. ABC's Ground Up with Sam Pang is drawing similar criticism—it's tonally pleasant but lacks genuine belly laughs. Both shows prove that being inoffensive and competent isn't enough anymore. Audiences want comedy that feels alive, not safe revivals coasting on franchise recognition. Scary Movie had its moment. The question now is whether the franchise can accept that some legacies are better left untouched.