Scream 7 Should Be Inspired By Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

Both Scream and Halloween have large fanbases, perfectly crafted final girls, and a balance of campy moments and creepy villains. Now that Scream 7 is filming, I think it’s the perfect time to reflect on what the two horror franchises have in common and if the upcoming sequel could learn anything from Laurie Strode’s (Jamie Lee Curtis) battle against Michael Myers. I can’t wait to see if any side characters come back to Scream 7 and what Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is like as a parent. I’m sure she will be as courageous and smart as ever, and she has a lot of wisdom and life experience to give to her kids.

Like every fan of the goofy, smart, and creative franchise, I’m curious about whether Scream 7 will break free of the six previous installments and stand on its own two feet. I was also just as eager to check out every entry in the Halloween franchise. While everyone waits for the movie’s February 2026 release date, I’m wondering if Scream 7 could follow in the footsteps of a Halloween sequel.

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I Think Scream 7 Could Be Inspired By Halloween H20: 20 Years Later’s Setting

Kevin Williamson wrote Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, but he wasn’t given a writing credit. I think that Scream 7 could be inspired by the setting of Halloween H20: 20 Years Later. This time around, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is hiding from Michael Myers and working as headmistress at Hillcrest Academy, the high school that her son John (Josh Hartnett) goes to. What if most of Scream 7 took place at the school that Sidney Prescott’s daughter, played by Isabel May, attends?

I think this would accomplish a few things. First of all, it would put the action and tension front and center. One of my favorite scenes from the first Scream movie is when Sidney goes into the washroom and Ghostface is hiding in a stall. I would rarely call a Scream scene terrifying, but that one comes close. Sidney thought she was safe at her high school, and it turned out that she could be targeted anywhere and everywhere. It would be great to see that same level of tension in Scream 7.

Secondly, if Scream 7 took place at Sidney’s daughter’s high school, then perhaps Ghostface could be a teacher or someone in her daughter’s life. This would help move the franchise forward instead of keeping it only all about Sidney. I like thinking about how Ghostface could be different from previous killers because I want to be shocked and impressed by the killer reveal in Scream 7. It would be interesting if the killer was connected to Sidney’s daughter and not just Sidney.

Finally, a school setting would also be fun considering director Kevin Williamson’s history of making teen TV shows and movies. He has written several horror movies that are about teenagers, from I Know What You Did Last Summer to, of course, Scream, and he also created The Vampire Diaries and Dawson’s Creek.

Scream 7 Could Also Feature Characters From Sidney Prescott’s Past

I think Scream 7 could also be inspired by Halloween H20: 20 Years Later and include some characters from Sidney Prescott’s past. One of the themes of Halloween H20: 20 Years Later is Laurie Strode’s past coming back to haunt her. The fun, fast-paced movie delves into the trauma that Laurie is experiencing now that the villain she thought was gone is back in her life. Unlike strange horror sequels like Halloween III: Season of the Witch, Halloween H20 explores compelling ideas like how someone can move on from a tragedy when they never know if the danger is fully over.

Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) could appear in Scream 7. She’s one of the most popular legacy characters, and since she’s an FBI agent now, I think there will always be a place for her in the slasher franchise. Sidney and Kirby could have one brief scene where they compare notes and talk about their various experiences being targeted by Ghostface. They’re both tough, clever, and don’t take nonsense from anyone. I’d love to see their dynamic explored more.

Since Scream 7 has a fairly large cast, it would also make sense for one or two new cast members to play someone from Sidney’s past who fans haven’t met yet. This would help bridge the gap between new and older characters, which is also something that Halloween H20: 20 Years Later excelled at. I loved catching up with Laurie, but it was also fun to get to know her son John. I definitely think Scream 7 could learn a lot from this Halloween sequel, which deserves more love.

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