Scary Movie 6 Shatters Franchise Records with $105.5M Global Opening

Paramount and Miramax’s Scary Movie 6 debuted to a franchise-best $105.5 million globally this weekend, with a domestic opening of $55 million that topped the series’ previous record held by Scary Movie 4 ($49.7 million in 2006).

The R-rated horror-comedy, the first installment directed by the Wayans brothers since 2001’s Scary Movie 2, also surpassed the $97 million global bow of Paramount and Spyglass’ Scream 7, signaling a potential revival of theatrical R-rated comedies.

Global Box Office Record

The film earned $50.5 million from 53 overseas markets, representing 95% of its international footprint. That overseas total is 75% larger than any previous Scary Movie entry.

Key markets included Mexico ($6.7 million at 870 locations, a Paramount comedy record), the UK ($5.5 million at 576 sites), Brazil ($5.1 million including previews at 753 locations — the biggest Paramount opening ever in the market, surpassing even Noah), and Colombia ($1.8 million including previews) and Bolivia ($488,000), both of which marked the highest opening for any Paramount film in those countries.

Additional strong performances came from Germany ($5.5 million at 507 cinemas), France ($3.2 million at 480), Australia ($2.7 million at 270), Italy ($2.2 million at 385), and Peru ($2.1 million at 109 locations).

In Europe, the film grossed $26 million overall, with European audiences embracing the dubbed humor — a factor the Wayans brothers intentionally enabled by leaving budget room for last-minute pick-ups and localized joke translations.

Reviving R-Rated Comedy

Carrying a reported production budget of $30 million, Scary Movie 6 reunites Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Damon Wayans Jr. on screen, with Craig Wayans and Keenen Ivory Wayans co-writing alongside Rick Alvarez. Anna Faris and Regina Hall reprise their iconic roles as Cindy Campbell and Brenda Meeks.

The cast also includes Kenan Thompson, Dave Sheridan, Lochlyn Munro, Carmen Electra, Kim Wayans, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott, and Heidi Gardner.

Michael Tiddes directs the raunchy, slapstick parody that sends up recent horror hits such as Scream, Get Out, Long Legs, Sinners, M3GAN, and Weapons.

The film’s marketing campaign generated viral cultural moments: Anna Faris dancing with The Nun at a Mexico City salsa event attracted over 57 million organic creator views, while “Bus Aunty” content in the UK amassed 46 million views.

Ghostface appearances across Atlanta, a cast appearance at a Miami drag show, and an Empire State Building takeover in New York further amplified awareness.

According to EntTelligence, domestic admissions reached 3.76 million, with 41% of Saturday’s business occurring after 8 p.m., indicating strong late-night appeal for the R-rated comedy. The film’s success suggests that audiences are eager for irreverent theatrical comedies after a period dominated by superhero fare and franchise horror.

With a $24.7 million opening day (including previews) and a projected $56 million domestic three-day, Scary Movie 6 is on pace to comfortably surpass the franchise’s opening-weekend record. The question now is whether this marks a sustainable comeback for the genre or a one-off nostalgia play.