The 6 Horror Franchises Scary Movie 6 Needs to Roast

Good comedy relies on perfect timing, and a new film might just nail it this summer. By 2013, when Scary Movie 5 was released, horror movies weren’t scary anymore, and parody films had become stale. Audiences were tired of endless remakes of slasher films, shaky ‘found footage’ movies, and copies of Scary Movie, and were starting to skip going to the cinema altogether.

After a long break, horror movies are popular in theaters again. The trailer for the new Scary Movie 6 is entertaining, blending classic references like Jason Voorhees on the subway with a funny take on the famous scene of kids running. However, including more subtle nods to popular horror franchises could make the latest film from the Wayans Brothers clever and surprising, instead of just relying on predictable jokes.

The Wayans Bros. Should Get to Know The Strangers

It might seem surprising, but the Strangers movies have a lot in common with Scary Movie. Both started strong with a successful first film, but the sequels that followed weren’t very good, either creatively or at the box office. While horror movies about home invaders aren’t always popular, even within that genre, these sequels didn’t measure up.

Shawn and Marlon Wayans don’t shy away from self-deprecating humor. In Scream VI, the characters are terrorized by three masked killers who frequently acknowledge they’re becoming outdated and irrelevant – breaking the fourth wall to complain about it. The movie also pokes fun at the recent, less-successful installments in the Scream series.

Scary Movie 6 Should Answer The Black Phone

The trend of well-received horror films followed by disappointing sequels continues with The Black Phone. While few predicted Scott Derickson’s 2021 movie, based on Joe Hill’s novel, would be a worldwide success, it certainly delivered. However, the next installment shifted its focus—from a terrifying kidnapping story to a supernatural thriller set within dreams—and received a similarly negative reaction to the one M3GAN 2.0 faced.

The filmmakers could stick to simple visual jokes using the villain’s creepy costume. However, they’d be smart to revisit a classic bit from the 2000 film Scary Movie, where Ghostface prank-calls the character Shorty (played by Marlon Wayans). Considering how important phone calls are to both Scream and The Black Phone, it would be a missed opportunity for Scary Movie 6 not to include this type of scene.

Ti West’s X Trilogy Deserves Some Attention

Ti West’s film X, released in 2022, quickly gained a devoted following. The movie, a scary and surprisingly funny story about a 1970s adult film crew terrorized on a secluded farm, was a hit with audiences. What many didn’t know was that it was part of a larger story, a trilogy West had secretly been filming. Later that same year, he released Pearl, a prequel that critics loved even more.

The new horror film, MaXXXine, didn’t resonate well with viewers or critics. However, Scary Movie 6 has a chance to be more than just scary – it could offer a commentary on how long-running franchises sometimes assume they can’t fail. Similar to how director Ti West experimented with different genres in his films, the creators of Scary Movie could surprise audiences with an unexpected comedic shift midway through the movie.

The It Movies are Perfect For Scary Movie 6

Before 2013, the only film version of Stephen King’s It was a TV miniseries from 1990. Then, in 2017, Andy Muschietti created a two-movie adaptation of the novel, which tells the story of a terrifying clown and the children he haunts. The films were hugely successful with audiences. Most recently, a prequel series called It: Welcome to Derry premiered on HBO Max last fall.

With Pennywise the Clown becoming the new horror icon for younger generations, like Freddy Krueger was for older ones, it’s a perfect time for a comedic parody. Picture the Wayans brothers swapping their classic Ghostface character for a send-up of Pennywise. It’s easy to imagine Dave Sheridan’s character, Officer Doofy, transforming into a monster with a painted face and the ability to change shape.

Scary Movie 6 Can Find Lots to Laugh at In a Violent Nature

Chris Nash’s 2024 film, In a Violent Nature, isn’t part of a larger series, but it’s a strikingly original horror film. What sets it apart is that the entire violent story—reminiscent of classic slasher films—is shown entirely from the killer’s point of view, as if you’re looking over their shoulder. It’s also intentionally slow-paced, building tension with a deliberate rhythm.

While Scary Movie is known for its quick jokes and references, this film sometimes slows down, which could actually highlight those fast-paced moments. Even the scary parts, like a zombie firefighter, don’t feel very threatening compared to other horror tropes. The famous yoga scene from In a Violent Nature is also a good target for parody, as the film often stretches out a simple kill just to get a laugh from the audience.

The Conjuring Would Stir Up Scary Movie 6’s Greatest Meta Joke

A lot changed in horror movies between the fifth and sixth Scary Movie films. Shared universes, like those popularized by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, became popular. While Scary Movie tried using spin-offs near the end of its run, it was James Wan’s unexpectedly successful The Conjuring that really convinced Warner Bros. to create a long-running series based on that film.

The Wayans brothers were known for cleverly making fun of typical horror movies, especially all the endless sequels and spin-offs like those featuring the Nun and Annabelle. They could even do a joke similar to Spaceballs, poking fun at the idea of rushing to remake Scary Movie 6 while it’s still being filmed. There’s a lot of potential for a fresh, self-aware style of comedy, and the possibilities are almost overwhelming.

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2026-03-04 00:37