***This review will go live on Goodreads in August, per the request of the Publisher to wait until closer to the book’s release.***

I remember when the first “Scream” hit the theaters and changed my life. I was OBSESSED. My locker at school was decorated with photos of the cast. Throughout the years, some of my closest and most beloved friends have ended up in my life due to a shared affinity for Sidney and the gang, and an undeniable enthusiasm for all things Ghostface. I have the costume as well, (the robe is SUPER comfortable) and various decor around the house because it just makes me happy. These movies have been a part of our lives for so long at this point!

First of all, amazing cover. Second, I might mention a couple of things in this review that are spoilery for the sequels. I’m assuming, though, that if you’re planning to read this book then you’re probably caught up on the franchise. (And the book is not shy about going into detail about the plots of all of the films, btw.)

It’s really cool that this author got to talk to almost EVERYONE involved in making “Scream” 1-6! Kevin Williamson, all of the original cast members and many people from behind the scenes are interviewed at length and quoted directly. It’s not strictly just interviews, though, as Ashley Cullins did SO MUCH research into each installment and found out lots of fun stories and interesting facts about what went into the production and development. (There’s some drama, too.) Cullins’ own love for the franchise is clear, and she writes with respect and appreciation.

Wes Craven sounds like an absolute sweetheart and a complete professional. There’s a whole chapter dedicated just to him, but you’ll get lots of quotes and info about his process and how he ran a set throughout the whole book. It was no surprise at all that the Weinsteins were a nightmare to work with, and actively made the production more difficult for everyone. (Consistently, throughout multiple films.)

I enjoyed every minute of reading this and tried not to fly through it. It felt like revisiting something that’s been a comfort to me for a long time, while also peering behind the curtain to get a closer look at the magic. I learned a LOT of things I wasn’t aware of, and I feel like I know so much more about the franchise.

(One of many examples: Apparently, the original plan for part 5 was to have Jill survive and go to college. She is my least favorite character and she honestly kind of ruined 4 for me. It’s the only installment I don’t love watching. No offense to Kevin Williamson, but I’m relieved that didn’t happen! And I want to note that my disdain for 4 has absolutely NOTHING to do with the direction. It’s the dialogue, the new characters (with the exception of Kirby), and the killers.

I fully stand by my 5 stars and I recommend this HIGHLY, but there were a couple of things that irked me on a personal level. (*Not the author’s fault, really. Mostly just stuff related to the content.)

- I like 5 and 6 quite a bit, but I felt like the filmmakers were patting themselves on the back a little too hard in those interviews. Everyone who made the first four movies was proud of what they did, of course, but there was also a sense of community and respect for the craft and everything that I really liked. Once the book got to parts 5 and 6 the tone shifted and it felt like they were just bragging about how awesome their own ideas were.

- Cullins addressed the situation with Neve not being offered enough money to do part 6, and not only do the filmmakers make it sound like the movie ended up better off without her, they say things like: “The luckiest thing to happen to them on 6 was to not have the baggage of Sidney Prescott.” Look, the movie was good but get your head out of your ass.

- The book tries to claim that Jenna Ortega backing out of 7 wasn’t related to Melissa Barrera being fired, but I think we all know the truth.

- A note for all books, TV shows and whatever else going forward: I think it’s okay for people to stop asking Eli Roth for his opinion on everything horror related.

In case you’re wondering, yes: Cullins does talk to both Neve and Kevin Williamson about the upcoming installment, part 7! They can’t go into a lot of detail, but they do provide some interesting insight into what they’re planning. It feels like Cullins was working on this right up until the very last possible minute.

I think that anyone who loves “Scream” would really enjoy this book and get a lot out of it! I feel even closer to Ghostface now than I did before. I will be buying a physical copy for at least one friend.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this early copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

I received a free Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley.

As a newish fan of the Scream franchise, this book is a must-read. It reads like a documentary and even though I do not love reading non fiction, I lovedddd this!

Thank you for allowing me to read this, but it’s not what I thought I guess. Cool information though.

While this is not a genre I typically read, I must say I was very impressed by the level of research that must’ve gone into this book! I felt like I was in the room as it was all happening! It was definitely cool to read about a movie I’d enjoyed as a teen but had no clue what all had gone into its creation and how the franchise really may not have ever been if just one thing or another had not happened the way it did.

Scream is the movie that redefined the slasher genre for the modern era. And now Ashley Cullins has written Your Favorite Scary Movie, a book that explores the films and takes us behind the scenes. I loved hearing all the stories from those that were there and had a hand in crafting each installment of the now iconic franchise. From how it all started with an idea Kevin Williamson had that turned into the now famous opening scene, how Drew Barrymore was originally going to be the star of the picture, and instead taking on the role for that opening scene, which completely flipped viewers expectations. As a lifelong fan of Wes Craven I also enjoyed all the stories about him. And Of course the behind the scenes conflicts that explain why some of the installments feel quite different than others. If you are a fan of the series you’ll want to check this book out. And of course after you read it, you’ll want to do exactly what I just did over the past weekend, and rewatch the entire series, watching it with a fresh perspective. Can’t wait to see where the franchise goes from here. I’d like to thank PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Plume and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Your Favorite Scary Movie.

*’m so glad to say that this book did not disappoint!

Your Favorite Scary Movie reads very much like a documentary, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the entire process of making the movies—from the moment the screenplay was written, to how they picked the cast, to the creation of Ghostface. It was so fascinating to follow.

Scream is definitely my favorite scary movie, and this book reminded me why. It stands out as a franchise because every film feels relevant. Unlike other horror movie series from the same generation, which eventually ran out of ideas and released some sloppy entries, Scream has consistently delivered. Even while using the same formula, the films always manage to surprise.

The book also highlights how Scream revived horror in the ’90s. After a golden era in the ’80s, the genre was fading fast, with a lot of bad horror movies coming out. Then Scream came along and brought it back to life.

More than anything else, this book reads like a love letter—not only to the Scream films, but to everyone who made them and everyone who loves them. It’s a tribute to Wes Craven, to the cast, and to the entire team behind the films. In the last few chapters, we get to see how every single person involved was passionate about the project—people who grew up watching horror and wanted to make something different. They didn’t want Scream to become just another franchise full of lazy, low-effort sequels. There’s real love for these movies within the crew, and you can feel it in every film. Every movie is filled with care, love, and heart.

In the end, I can truly say that I loved this book. If you love horror movies, but specially if you love Scream films, please read this book.

I received a free Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley.

If you are a fan of the Scream franchise, which I am, this book is a must-read. It's fascinating and the author, a journalist, conducted many interviews to make sure she gave accurate information and truly represented those involved.

It's a great behind the scenes look at the franchise and even gives a little bit about what's to come. Well-paced and interesting the whole way through.

You could probably read this if you're a general horror movie fan, but you will at least need to have had seen all of the Scream movies to appreciate it and not get lost.

Thank you to the publisher for inviting me to read an early copy of this book.

<i>Scream</i> was the first horror movie that I was finally able to watch by myself (while living alone) and understand why horror was such a great genre. Being able to read an early copy of this book was such a fun experience, and it turns out I really did know quite a few of the tales told in the pages.

This book is a history of the <i>Scream<i/> franchise starting from its inception to present (as current as possible) day. The author used written interviews as well as their own for the book itself.

The chapters have a set purpose instead of trying to do too many things at once. There are dedicated chapters to each <i>Scream<i/> movie as well as one dedicated to Wes Craven.

The pay dispute with Neve Campbell was mentioned, and the author was able to interview her for the making of this book.

What struck me as odd was the lack of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. I wondered if there was going to be any mention of their collective leaving of the franchise (firing and voluntary quitting, respectively) and it was talked about. The lack of interviews from either of them was very telling and it left a big hole in the storytelling for me. It would have been nice if there had been a mention of the author trying to at least reach out to either Barrera or Ortega because it felt like they were deliberately left out.

Overall, I thought it was a fun ride to read through the history of <i>Scream</i>. I don't think the die-hard fans would find anything new in its pages, but maybe the newer ones or the ones who couldn't see the original in theaters.

"There are certain rules someone must abide by to survive a scary movie," warns Randy Meeks in the first Scream film, and certain rules that also need to be abided by to survive the production of the Scream film. Your Favorite Scary Movie is a love letter to the iconic horror franchise penned by debut author Cullins who is no doubt having the time of her life writing what is no doubt the definitive account of the Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven's meta classic. With no stone left unturned and no Ghostface left unmasked, both franchise die-hards and casual horror fans will delight in interviews with almost every cast member from each of six completed installments and sneak peeks into production on the seventh. Working best as a retrospect, Cullins' writing is at its best when it's able to dig into older films, but her detail and clear love for these films will satisfy readers' bloodlust…for now.

I’m a longtime fan of Scream and was excited to read this book and gain some insight into the development of the franchise. Unfortunately, I felt like this book was just okay. There is a lot of information, but I kept waiting for some analysis or deeper insight from the author. Cullins has gathered a lot of interviews with people involved in the franchise, which is where the book really shines. I think it would have worked a lot better as an oral history, since some chapters were just quotes strung together without a lot of commentary from Cullins. It also rehashed a lot of things fans might already know.

If you’re a diehard Scream fan, you will enjoy this book. It was a fun, quick read but left me hoping for a little more.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

I have been a fan of Scream since I was in high school, and I’ve loved seeing it evolve into what it is now. Reading the history of Scream in this book was wild. I knew some of it, but now I know a lot more. I appreciated all of the interviews and the homage to Wes Craven. I also enjoyed that there is a chapter talking about the upcoming Scream 7, which has caused a lot of heated debates. All in all, after reading this I’m excited for the upcoming movie. This author did a great job talking about all of the reasons that Scream remains a beloved part of the horror genre, and she did it with so much heart. You can tell that she really cares about this franchise. If you have been a fan of Scream in your life, don’t miss this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the copy of this ARC. This will be out in August of 2025. Make sure to add it to your TBR!

Ashley Cullins’ Your Favorite Scary Movie is a nostalgic deep dive into the iconic Scream franchise!—It is truly everything a horror lover could hope for. More than just a look behind-the-scenes, this book is a tribute to the films, the fans, and the late, great Wes Craven. Cullins masterfully blends production info, cast and crew interviews, and reflective commentary, painting a vivid picture of how this genre defining series evolved over the years. For longtime fans, it feels like revisiting an old friend!

Several chapters explore Wes Craven’s legacy not just as a filmmaker but as a the man who forever changed the landscape of horror. Cullins captures his impact with real reverence. The book also relays how each film came together, all the way to the upcoming Scream 7. It’s filled with fun behind-the-scenes facts, insider commentary, and easter eggs that make you want to marathon the entire franchise immediately.

Your Favorite Scary Movie is a must-read for Scream fans and horror lovers alike. It’s entertaining, emotional, and packed with insider magic that reminds us why we fell in love with the original movie in the first place. Whether you’re a trivia-loving superfan or just discovering the franchise, this book will absolutely slash its way into your heart. #penguin #dutton #ashleycullins #yourfavoritescarymovie

This was such a fun read and very insightful with lots of behind-the-scenes info for fans of the franchise. A lot of the
history told was new to me and it was great to be able to hear all the wonderful memories of the kind soul that Wes Craven was and how much he impacted everyone that he worked with on the long-running series. I wish more movie and tv series had biographies this well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ashley Cullins, Penguin Group Dutton and Plume for the advanced copy.

3.5/5 stars.
This book offers great insight into a storied franchise, though has some drawbacks in its execution. The interviews provide a great first-hand account of the making of each film along with the possible future of the franchise. The author’s writing style was not always my favorite, but the fast-paced nature of the writing did offer entertainment at every point. The relatively short periods of time spent discussing each movie allows for this fast pace, but I would have loved to have gotten more information. Overall, this was a fun read for those like myself who are huge fans of the Scream franchise.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book.

Perfect for diehard fans of the Scream franchise! Lots of interviews with the actors and other creatives who worked on all of the films.
As a collector of random facts, I wish there was more insight into the production and just more general fun little tidbits that I can annoy people with as I watch the Scream movies with them (I got a few more facts in my arsenal from this book, just would have loved some more!) But overall, a cool insight into the entire franchise and definitely reignited my desire to have a Scream marathon.

Thank you to NetGalley/Penguin Group Dutton/Plume for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins is a love letter to Scream fans everywhere, and for anyone who holds that iconic franchise close to their heart, this book is an absolute must read. For me, it brought back vivid memories of my very first date with my high school boyfriend. Sitting in a dark theater, white knuckled and wide eyed, watching the original Scream. That film didn't just scare me, it sparked a lifelong obsession with horror.

Cullins captures that feeling perfectly. She dives deep into the Scream universe, offering not only detailed analysis of each film but also behind the scenes insights from those who helped bring Ghostface to life. The storytelling is rich and layered, with a clear reverence for Wes Craven and the legacy he created. The sections that explore his vision and influence were especially moving. Full of respect, heart, and fascinating detail.

This book doesn’t just recount facts, but it reignites the magic. After finishing it, I immediately binged the entire franchise with fresh eyes, noticing details and themes I’d never picked up on before. If Scream is part of your horror DNA, this book will feel like coming home. A beautifully written, nostalgic, and deeply satisfying tribute.

My most grateful thanks to NetGalley, Ashley Cullins, and Penguin Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. Publication date: August 19, 2025- PICK IT UP!!

Thank you to Penguin Group and NetGalley for an advanced ARC for a honest review. Although I'm not a fan of honor movies or non-fiction I enjoyed reading about the Scream fans, cinephiles. and anyone who's ever gotten scared by or laughed by a slasher flick. Whether your a die hard fan or just curious this book promises a compelling read.

As a huge fan of the Scream franchise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ashley Cullins delves into the immense impact of the franchise on horror and cinema, presenting a captivating exploration of its brilliance. This book is a must-read for fans of the Scream franchise and the horror film genre in general. The behind-the-scenes insights, interviews, and conversational writing style make it an enthralling and fascinating read. I highly recommend it.

As a HUGE Scream fan, I was super excited to receive this one as an eARC! This wasn't your typical run of the mill documentary style book. No, this one had love for the franchise behind it, it had the respect for the incredible Wes Craven that helped bring these films to life (with a little coaxing from his assistant at the time), it gave an inside look into the man behind the written script and the iconic voice of Ghostface. It let you see inside the minds of those that were part of the whole franchise, as well as the people that gave us the characters we came to love and hate. I am looking forward to placing this one on my trophy shelf when it is published.

What’s your favorite scary movie?
Mine has always been Scream—hands down, no competition. The first four films are my comfort movies, and I genuinely couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve rewatched them. So when I found out Your Favorite Scary Movie was coming out, I knew I had to read it. And imagine my surprise when I got the chance to experience it four months early—thank you, Dutton Books!!

When I tell you I loved every second of this book—I mean it. It dives deep into the making of every film in the franchise, from the original classic all the way to the upcoming Scream 7 (out in 2026!), and gives the kind of behind-the-scenes insight that fans like me dream about. It reminded me a bit of The Offer (the show about how The Godfather was made)—just so fascinating to see the full story from a completely different angle.

One of the most powerful parts for me was learning more about Wes Craven—not just as a director, but as a human being. Ashley went deep into his legacy, and let me just say... I did not expect to cry reading this, but I definitely did.

If you love Scream, or even just love hearing the behind-the-scenes chaos, heart, and hustle that goes into making iconic films, you need this book on your radar. From the actors to the producers to the fans who helped keep the franchise alive—it’s all in here.

One thing that really surprised me? Everyone behind the scenes seems to view Scream 4 as a bit of a flop?! I personally loved it. Great plot, great cast, so underrated. For fun, here’s how I’d rank the films:
1, 3, 4, 2, 6, 5

Bottom line: be on the lookout for Your Favorite Scary Movie. It’s a must-read for horror lovers and die-hard Scream fans alike. You don’t want to miss this one!