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Scream 4

Scream 4 is a 2011 American slasher film directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Scream 4 is a 2011 American slasher film directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson. It is the fourth film in the Scream franchise and follows Sidney Prescott’s return to Woodsboro, where a new Ghostface begins killing again. The film was released in the United States on April 15, 2011.

Plot

The film centres on Sidney Prescott returning to Woodsboro, where new Ghostface killings begin during the anniversary of the original murders. The attacks draw in returning characters Gale Weathers and Dewey Riley, along with Sidney’s relatives and a new group of teenagers.

Production

Scream 4 was directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson. It was produced by Outerbanks Entertainment and associated with Dimension Films.

Release

The film was released in the United States on April 15, 2011. It arrived more than a decade after the first film and six years after the previous instalment.

Franchise context

Scream 4 is part of the long-running Scream horror franchise and continued the series’ mix of slasher violence and self-referential humour. It was the final Scream film directed by Wes Craven.

Key facts

  • Scream 4 is the sequel to Scream 3 (2000) and the fourth instalment in the Scream film series.
  • The film was directed by Wes Craven, who also directed the first three Scream films.
  • Its story is set on the fifteenth anniversary of the original Woodsboro murders.
  • Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott, who comes back to Woodsboro during a book tour.
  • The film features Ghostface targeting students and residents in Woodsboro again.
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Canadian context

Scream 4 is relevant to Canadian readers as part of a major North American horror franchise that received theatrical release and wide media coverage in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Scream 4?
Scream 4 is a 2011 American slasher film and the fourth entry in the Scream franchise.
Who directed Scream 4?
It was directed by Wes Craven.
Who wrote Scream 4?
The screenplay was written by Kevin Williamson.
When was Scream 4 released?
It was released on April 15, 2011.
Who stars in Scream 4?
The film stars Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, and others.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scream_4
    Supports: Basic film identification, release year, director, writer, franchise placement, cast, and plot setting.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/scream-4
    Supports: Director, writers/producers, genre, release date, runtime, and plot synopsis.
  3. IGN — https://www.ign.com/movies/scream-4
    Supports: Release date, genre, distributor, and plot synopsis.
  4. Wes Craven — https://www.wescraven.com/film/scream-4/
    Supports: Official film description and anniversary setting.