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!

This book gave me such anxiety given the current state of the world, and thus I didn't enjoy it as much as I wish. I mean, I suppose I could have tried to suspend belief, but when so much of this book's premise and plot centers around companies mining data from all our devices, social media and, in this case, dreams, and allow the government to profile us it felt 'too soon. Basically, it all boils down to combating crime before it's even occurred, and legally detaining those considered 'high risk' by the algorithm- which we are dealing with in the here and now. Sara was a good protagonist, but the book seemed to go on a bit too long and some of the other characters could have been better developed.

OMG THIS BOOK!! I love the Scream franchise, so I figured I would love this book…but I loved it even more than I thought I would! You can tell how much research and interviews the author did to really set the tone from the making of the first movie all the way to the meaning of the seventh that’s still in progress and WOW! I learned so much about the franchise and actors and I just couldn’t put this book down! Now I’m even more excited to rewatch all the movies (and check out the next one when it comes out!) with all of this previously insider knowledge to increase my love of Scream even more. This book is FANTASTIC and I can’t recommend it highly enough!

ARC releasing 8/19. A novel exploring the making of and the legacy left by the Scream films. If you’re a die hard fan, nothing in this book will be anything new, but if you’re a casual fan, this will be an interesting read for you. I will say that the author has information incorrect regarding Jenna Ortega in light of her recent statement about Scream 7 and I hope that’s corrected prior to release.

"Your Favorite Scary Movie" by Mallory Arnold is a thought-provoking exploration of horror cinema, delving into its history, cultural impact, and the diverse ways it elicits fear. The book offers sharp commentary on representation in the genre, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the films that have shaped our collective nightmares. Arnold's extensive knowledge is evident, though at times the depth of analysis leans towards an academic tone, reminiscent of a thesis. Despite this, the author's wit and humor shine through, making complex discussions both engaging and accessible. For horror enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive and insightful read, this book is a valuable addition to your collection.

Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Dutton, Plume, for providing the copy of Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins. I loved this book! I’m not a huge fan of the Scream Franchise but love reading insider tips about movies and TV. I can’t wait to watch all of the movies now. If you love them already, this book will give you insight you can’t find anywhere else. If you haven’t watched them you will want to after reading this book! 4 stars.

Although I'm not a big fan of non-fiction, I did love Scream so powered through this one as it was both informative and entertaining! Who knew so much goes into making a horror movie? This book is a series of interviews and it's nostalgic in all the right places. I might have to keep a more open mind when looking for scary movies in the future!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Your Favorite Scary Movie, is a must read for horror fans, cinephiles, and anyone who’s ever gotten scared by (or laughed at) a slasher flick. The book dives deep into the legacy of the Scream franchise, unpacking how a masked killer and a script full of self aware jabs completely transformed the horror landscape.

Cullins, a journalist, has combined a treasure trove of insight from over 80 interviews with the franchise’s key players, including Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, and screenwriter Kevin Williamson. This isn’t just a behind-the-scenes peek; it’s a cultural autopsy of a genre. Through these conversations, Cullins reveals how Scream redefined what horror could be, smart, scary, funny, and unashamedly meta.

What sets this book apart is its layered storytelling. It doesn’t just retell the making of the movies, it explores why they mattered. Cullins traces the evolution of horror pre- and post-Scream, showing how Wes Craven’s sharp direction and Williamson’s whip smart writing opened the door for a new kind of horror film: one that understood its audience, winked at the clichés, and still delivered the thrills.

Whether you're a die hard fan or just curious, this book promises a compelling read. It’s not just a love letter to a franchise, it’s a thoughtful, well researched chronicle of how Scream carved out a new set of rules in a genre once thought to be out of ideas.

(3.5 rounded up) Listen. This book is not going to be for everybody (non-Scream fans), but if you at all are a fan of the Scream franchise, you’ll enjoy this. Scream is in my top five favorite movies and horror movies are my favorite genre, so this is exactly in my wheelhouse. The book does exactly what it sets out to do and tells of the making of Scream from the writing of the script to to the lasting cultural impact it has had. I do have a reservation, though. There are a ton of interviews the author gets (Kevin Williamson, John Carpenter, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, to name a few), which is really dope, but it feels overwhelming in structure and all of the quotes leave very little room for the author’s own thoughts and interpretations. I actually think I would have enjoyed this more as an oral history, since the book is collecting the thoughts of those involved in the making of the movie, as opposed to the author’s own cultural & critical writing. But, being the Scream lover I am, I still very much enjoyed being immersed in the making of such a classic.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤, 𝘪’𝘮 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵—𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪’𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦. ੈ✩‧₊˚

This isn’t just a collection of facts—it’s a love letter. A personal tribute to a franchise that redefined a genre, to the legacy of Wes Craven, and to the iconic voice of Kevin Williamson. Together, they weren’t just collaborators; they were storytellers who poured heart, wit, and fearless creativity into every frame. Their work didn’t just thrill us—it stayed with us. It shaped a generation of horror fans and left a legacy that still echoes, sharp and unforgettable.

If you're a fan of the Scream franchise, this one's definitely worth checking out. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel or offer anything groundbreaking, but there's something incredibly satisfying about the way it's written. It feels like slipping back into something familiar—like reuniting with old friends.

Yes, it treads familiar ground, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a fun, nostalgic read that taps into the heart of what makes the franchise so beloved. Almost comforting, in a weird, stabby kind of way.

It’s not trying to be the next big thing—it just wants to celebrate what already exists. And for fans like me, that’s more than enough.

𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘯 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘋𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘯 | 𝘗𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.💐

This was so !nteresting! I learned so much about such a creepy genre. It was an informed guide to a deep history of thrills This book took me back in time on a journey of discovery fir my love of horror literature. Very cool

This was such a fun read! I love Scream and try to marathon the movies every October. The first one will always be my favourite. I never got over how well done it was and how the characters stayed with me.
It’s now one of my comfort films.
Getting a more in depth look at it’s conception and overwhelming growth since, is such a treat.
So many fun set tidbits and connections to other horror films that I know and love.

Gave Craven his stars too, really enjoyed reading about him as a person and director.

Excited for Scream 7, glad to see Kevin Williamson stepping in

I would highly recommend to any horror or Scream fan.

(Thanks to NetGalley for the arc)

OH MY GODDDDDD I ate this book UP!!! The Scream franchise is my Roman empire, my entire personality. I practically screamed myself when I saw this on Instagram and again when I was approved on Netgalley. I flew through this book. It was so well-researched. So many interesting facts and behind-the-scenes tidbits that I loved. Now I need a Scream Trivia night so I can dominate!!

Ashley, please come to Massachusetts on your book tour!!! May I suggest Book Lvoe in Plymouth or An Unlikely Story in Plainville ;)

As a huge fan of the Scream franchise it was really interesting to take a deeper dive behind the scenes! Learning about how the story came to light and each stage that took place after was such a fun and exciting read. There were so many things in this book I didn’t know and was so intrigued to learn more and how steps were taken to achieve the franchise as it currently stands! I’m excited for the next Scream! Bring on 2026!