Scream 7’ Launches to Killer $97 Million at Global Box Office, ‘Wuthering Heights’ Nears $200 Million

"Scream 7" did really well in its first weekend at the movies, making $97.2 million worldwide from ticket sales. This new movie in the long-running slasher series from Paramount and Spyglass Media made $33.1 million overseas and $64.1 million in the US. These numbers are the best ever for the "Scream" series, which started with the 1996 movie "Scream."

Kevin Williamson, who wrote the first "Scream," directed this seventh movie.

 The story follows a new Ghostface killer who targets the daughter of Neve Campbell's character, Sidney Prescott. Neve Campbell came back after not being in the sixth movie because of a pay issue. Some people think that fans wanted to see her character again, along with other famous actors from earlier movies like Courteney Cox, David Arquette, and Matthew Lillard, helped the movie do so well.

The movie also played in more expensive formats like Imax and ScreenX, which made up 40% of the total money earned.

 This is the first "Scream" movie to be shown in Imax.

Spyglass Media's leader, Gary Barber, said the movie's success is because of the lasting popularity of the original movie, the strong cast, and the audience who showed up to see it.

 They also thanked the people at Paramount for their help.

To get more people excited about "Scream 7," the studio used a big marketing plan.

 They showed the movie during the Super Bowl and had Ghostface appear at events like a UFC fight in Las Vegas. They wanted to attract not only long-time fans but also younger people who like horror movies.

Paramount's marketing head, Josh Goldstine, said it was hard to promote the seventh movie.

 They focused on the 30th anniversary of the "Scream" series and Neve Campbell's return, making it feel like everything led up to this.

Globally, "Scream 7" made 35% more money than the last "Scream" movie, "Scream VI," in the same countries.

 The biggest opening was in the UK with $5.3 million, followed by France with $4.2 million, Mexico with $3 million, Australia with $2.5 million, and Germany with $2.4 million. It hasn't opened in Singapore, Malaysia, or Hong Kong yet.

After a tough year for Paramount, "Scream 7" is their first movie to be number one at the box office since March's comedy "Novocaine."

 Earlier this week, Paramount surprised Hollywood by beating Netflix in a big deal for Warner Bros. Discovery. Even though the CEO said they would keep making new movies, theater owners are worried the new merger might lead to fewer new films at a time when the box office is already struggling.

Elsewhere, the movie "Wuthering Heights" is close to $200 million after three weekends.

 It has made $119.7 million outside the US and $72.3 million in North America. The movie, which cost $80 million to make, is part of a successful streak for Warner Bros. after last year's hits.

Another movie, "GOAT" from Sony, made $130.5 million worldwide.

 It earned $56.6 million overseas and $73.9 million in the US. It will face competition next week with the release of "Hoppers" from Disney and Pixar.