The Wayans Brothers are back – and they have a clear mission. At CinemaCon 2026 in Las Vegas, Marlon and Shawn Wayans took the stage alongside Anna Faris to unveil the first footage from the sixth installment of the Scary Movie franchise. The film, which hits theaters on June 5, 2026, promises to do what the series has always done best: offend absolutely everyone.
“Paramount told us to do what we do best: offend people,” Marlon Wayans told the crowd.
The revival marks a return to the franchise for the Wayans brothers, who stepped away after Scary Movie 2. Anna Faris, who has been absent from the series since Scary Movie 4, returns as Cindy Campbell.
‘Nobody Is Safe’ – The Trailer’s Targets
Marlon Wayans unfurled a long scroll of paper holding an apparent list of those likely to be unhappy with the film’s jokes. The list included:
- White people
- Black people
- Off-white people
- Mexicans
- “Mexican’ts”
- Asians
- The entire state of Vermont (“which is more white people”)
- Diddy
- Diddy’s cleaning lady
“We are equally opportunity offenders. I mean, nobody is safe,” Marlon said.
The new trailer included references to countless recent films, including Sinners, Get Out, Weapons, Smile, and The Substance.
The DEI Joke That Got the Crowd’s Attention
One scene from the trailer has already sparked significant discussion. A medical professional runs into a hospital room to help Anna Faris’ character and says:
“This white girl can’t die on my shift. I’m a DEI hire.”
The line mocks Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives – a topic that has become politically charged in recent years. The joke suggests the film will not shy away from contemporary cultural debates.
Taking Aim at ‘John Wick’ and ‘Ballerina’
Another standout moment from the trailer came from Regina Hall, who returns as Brenda Meeks. She jokes about the John Wick spinoff film Ballerina and the fact that no one saw it.
Ballerina, released in 2025, starred Ana de Armas and was set in the John Wick universe. Despite high expectations, the film underperformed at the box office, making it a ripe target for parody.
The John Wick franchise has been a massive success for Lionsgate, but its spinoff’s struggles have become a running joke in industry circles. Scary Movie 6 appears to be bringing that joke to mainstream audiences.
The Cast and Creative Team
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Michael Tiddes |
| Writers | Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Rick Alvarez |
| Producers | Wayans brothers, Rick Alvarez |
Returning Cast Members
- Marlon Wayans
- Shawn Wayans
- Anna Faris (Cindy Campbell)
- Regina Hall (Brenda Meeks)
New Additions
- Damon Wayans Jr.
- Gregg Wayans
- Kim Wayans
- Cheri Oteri
- Chris Elliott
- Heidi Gardner
The film is a co-production between Paramount Pictures and Miramax.
The History of ‘Scary Movie’
The Scary Movie franchise began in 2000, satirizing the horror genre – particularly the Scream films. The first movie, directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, was a massive hit.
| Film | Year | Opening Weekend | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scary Movie | 2000 | Record for R-rated horror film | Also record for Black director |
| Scary Movie 2 | 2001 | Wayans brothers’ last until now | — |
| Scary Movie 3 | 2003 | Directed by David Zucker | Wayans not involved |
| Scary Movie 4 | 2006 | Anna Faris’ last appearance | — |
| Scary Movie 5 | 2013 | Poorly received | Franchise went dormant |
After Scary Movie 5 was panned by critics and underperformed at the box office, the franchise went dormant for over a decade. The Wayans brothers’ return – along with Faris and Hall – has generated significant excitement among fans.
CinemaCon – The Perfect Launchpad
CinemaCon, the annual convention of Cinema United (formerly NATO), runs this year from April 13-16, 2026. It is the industry’s premier event for exhibitors and Hollywood studios to showcase upcoming films.
Paramount’s decision to debut Scary Movie 6 footage at CinemaCon signals confidence in the project. Theater owners, who have struggled to fill screens with comedies in recent years, are eager for a proven franchise that can bring audiences back.
Miramax CEO on Why Now Is the Right Time
During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jon Glickman, CEO of Miramax, explained why the time was right for a new Scary Movie:
“Like everybody in the industry, I certainly feel like there’s a boiling pressure to finally get one out there that works huge, and I think this one’s going to do it.”
Glickman also addressed the film’s release amid political tensions:
“People want to be able to laugh together at the same stuff. It’s very meaningful at this moment to have this opportunity.”
His comments reflect a widely held belief in Hollywood that audiences are hungry for big-screen comedies – a genre that has struggled in the streaming era. Scary Movie 6 could be a test case for whether R-rated comedies can still succeed theatrically.
Fan Reactions and Expectations
Social media reactions to the CinemaCon footage have been largely positive. Fans are excited to see:
- The original cast reunited
- The Wayans brothers back in control
- No-holds-barred satire
- A return to theatrical comedies
Some expressed concern that the DEI joke could alienate certain audiences, but others noted that Scary Movie has always been an equal-opportunity offender.
As Marlon Wayans said from the stage: “We are equally opportunity offenders. We mean, nobody is safe.”
‘Scary Movie’ Returns to Theaters June 5
The Scary Movie franchise is back, and it is not pulling any punches. With the Wayans brothers at the helm, Anna Faris and Regina Hall returning, and a trailer that mocks everything from DEI to John Wick, the film is positioning itself as the comedy event of 2026.
Paramount has set a theatrical release date of June 5, 2026. Whether the movie lives up to its promise – and whether audiences still want R-rated comedies on the big screen – remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain: the Wayans brothers are not worried about offending anyone.
As Marlon put it: “Paramount told us to do what we do best: offend people.” Mission accepted.
