Scream 2 (1997)

Scream 2 makes fun of sequels for being bigger, louder and dumber, and then its finale proves the point. Before that, it’s a sharp, mean little follow-up. The opening, set in a packed theater during a sneak preview of Stab, is a gutsy way to start, and a film class arguing about whether any sequel beats the original is pure fun. Neve Campbell is even better this time, playing Sidney as someone tired of being a survivor and still fighting. Jamie Kennedy’s Randy is the heart, and a tense scene in a crashed police car is one of the scariest in the whole series. The trouble is the reveal. The motive comes as a lecture, delivered at length, and the showdown on a theater stage feels staged in the worst way. It made $172.4 million worldwide on a reported $24M. A 6.2 because the setup is clever and the ending lectures you instead of scaring you. $28.26 says the next time somebody claims a sequel never beats the original, you bring up this one just to be difficult.

What works: Neve Campbell is excellent, and the theater opening and the crashed police car scene are franchise highlights.

What doesn’t: The killer reveal leans on a long, preachy motive speech, and the stage finale feels clunky next to the sharp setup.

Who it’s for: Fans of the first Scream who enjoy a whodunit that argues with itself about horror rules.