Your Favorite Scary Movie

How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror

De: Ashley Cullins

Narrado por: Roger L. Jackson, Ashley Cullins

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The ultimate story of the Scream movie franchise, featuring interviews from more than eighty key players and an in-depth exploration of the creation and legacy of the films that revived a dying genre

In Your Favorite Scary Movie, entertainment journalist Ashley Cullins examines the making and impact of the Scream films with behind-the-scenes insight from cast, creators, and crew, as well as sharp analysis on how the movies’ special blend of gruesome violence and humorous self-awareness rewrote the horror playbook. This intimate and thorough history includes brand-new interviews from Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Kevin Williamson, Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard, Jack Quaid, Parker Posey, Hayden Panettiere, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Radio Silence, Roger L. Jackson, and so many more.

Perfect for fans of Scream, horror lovers, and cinephiles, this is the story of how a little movie about a ghost-faced killer terrorizing high schoolers overcame countless obstacles to become an historic success that still has audiences screaming to this day.

©2025 Ashley Cullins (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Your Favorite Scary Movie is the definitive story of Scream, a true bible of its history and legacy. I learned so much about this franchise that I never knew. Brilliant!"—Kevin Williamson, creator and screenwriter of Scream, director of Scream 7

"This killer history of one of horror's most enduring franchises is a must-read for anyone who likes scary movies. I devoured it like it was a bowl of Jiffy Pop."—Riley Sager, New York Times bestselling author of Final Girls

"This deep dive... not only unearths little-known stories about the making of the movies, but also takes a bird’s-eye look at the franchise’s larger impact on horror in Hollywood. It features new interviews with dozens of the artists involved with the franchise, who speak candidly about the hurdles and high points of making the series."—Vanity Fair

Still Screaming

an incredible audio book and we'll read by GHOST FACE voice Roger L Jackson. Any Scream fan should get this

must have for scream fans old and new

I enjoy the scream movies just as much as any other, but if you ever wondered or wanted to have a screen fixed this is it.

Roger L Jackson's narration makes it all the better I highly recommend it for anybody that enjoys the franchise.

Great info and great narration from Ghost Face himself

I grabbed the audiobook and it is narrated by ROGER L. JACKSON. They should be shouting that from the rooftops! Certainly the definitive way to take in this nonfiction in my opinion. He did a great job and did all the chapter titles in the Ghost Face voice, it really elevated my enjoyment.

This was absolutely fantastic. An intensely deep dive into the Scream franchise and how it’s shaped the horror industry. As a self proclaimed Scream connoisseur (I’ve never proclaimed that) this was right up my alley and I had to have it. For me, this was one of the few horrors I had seen as a kid that stuck with me into adulthood, and I still love it to this day. I was one of those kids that was deathly afraid of anything you told me was supposed to be scary. I couldn’t understand that horror—slashers especially—can be both scary and enjoyable. Scream is a leading example of this and is one of the few I’d actually watch as a young kid. It’s scary of course, someone in a mask is murdering people right on screen, but it was also silly and bordered comical in its self references and satirical dissection of previous horror. As it stands, the first Scream movie is why slashers remain my most enjoyed (and watched) horror subgenre.

As the title states, Scream was the dawn of true meta-horror, a style that has been chopped and chipped and adopted by many others over the years, but few can capture the allure of the first. A slasher horror that knows it’s a slasher horror, that knows its tropes and where it’s treading them? Personally that’s always been my favorite part. The sequels, with their in-universe Stab franchise, equally find a way to mock and poke fun at themselves and their own commentary—all while still commentating. There’s something almost omniscient about them, as they dissect what came before and dictate where horror’s going. The first really paved the way to elevated slashers as a whole.

I love how vividly this painted the experience of the films. With chapters spanning from the original script’s conception all the way up to the latest, and currently unreleased, sequel (read: Requel/Legacy Sequel). I loved how everyone shone light on how wonderful Wes Craven was, the energy he brought to the experience, and how he bred such warmth and an inviting set. As a horror writer myself, it was nice to see the spotlight showing off how nice horror writers are as people! We bring people scares, we aren’t all scary.

I also enjoyed that this didn’t shy away from the controversies. From set troubles, money troubles, reception troubles, even ownership and The Weinstein Company troubles. This book showcases it all, the good and the bad. Not only does it serve as a very honest piece of work, it also provides the inside track on how movies get (and often times do not get) made. From displeased big shots, to rushed sequels, to rights disputes, firings, and studio languishing, there is quite a bit of behind the scenes issues we may never even know about. I even liked that this went into the controversy around the requel, Scream 7. Laying out some info that was previously misunderstood or misinterpreted. I can only add that it’s really sad to see Kevin Williamson (the original screenwriter) coming back to direct one that feels like it’s up against a wall already with the bad coverage and enraged fanbase. But what really shines through, and I’m sure will continue to, is the passion these people have for the entire franchise.

Most importantly, this keeps the focal point on us, the fans. As the fanbase is the point, and no matter what topic this is traversing, it continues to keep an eye on enjoyment. Almost everyone has seen these, has something linking them to one, has a reason why they’ll always rewatch them. That’s what they’re for. So, what’s your favorite scary movie?

Great backstory on all 6 movies. As well as little details from 7.

First and foremost, Roger L. Jackson is a legend. However, some of the voices were a little odd and didn’t really fit the actors he was quoting. Other than that, amazing.

Loved!

If you are a scream fan, this is a must read. I loved that it is voiced by ghostface. The nostalgia hits hard.

This book is a real SCREAM

When I was a kid, my best friend had a Ghostface costume for Halloween. Naturally, I asked him if he wanted to watch the movie and he said yes. The opening scene was terrifying, it was gruesome, and it has stayed with me 25 years later. It took a while for me to see ‘Scream 2’ and ‘Scream 3,’ but those are now in regular rotation for comfort movies for me. The franchise has grown to six films, board games, video game characters, and so much more.

‘Your Favorite Scary Movie’ takes it back to the beginning and details how the iconic films came to fruition, the bonds that were formed behind the scenes, and how important Wes Craven was to each film - including those that happened after his passing. Ashley Cullins includes a chapter dedicated to Craven’s legacy he has left on the horror world and beyond, including antidotes from actors who worked with him and the impact he had on their lives on and off screen. The book gave me so much insight into scene work, the formation of each film, and the bumps in the road that could have been avoided had studio executives stayed in their lanes and not rushed creatives (but we know that won’t ever happen.)

The audiobook was narrated by Ghostface himself, Roger L. Jackson and it was such a delight to have his voice sharing these stories. So, I highly recommend listening to the book and then revisiting the films during this Halloween season.

Amazing insider for fans who love all aspects of Scream!

Not only is Scream the reason I love scary movies but this wonderful book is such an eye opener for so many reasons. I always had love and respect for everyone involved making these films over the years. The scream franchise went through so much as well as everyone involved. Thank you for writing this book. Gave me even more respect for this franchise! A Must Read or Listen Too....

A History on how Scream franchise was filmed

Roger L. Jackson does a decent job switching voices in his narration, not my go-to for voicing an entire audiobook, but he delivers. The content is interesting, though it isn’t comprehensive. I’ve stumbled upon little details about the series that weren’t brought up in this book, which is fine, it still gives you a lot to work with. I burned through many hours with this one, bc it kept me hooked into it. Truth be told, it coaxed me into rewatching the films again while I read it.

Informative and fun

what an amazing book about my favorite scary movie, if you are a fan of scream I couldn't recommend this more, Roger L Jackson

Excellent merger of nostalgia and optimism for the future

The interviews and research done for this book display the passion for this franchise, and Roger L. Jackson narrating the book sends the audiobook to the highest rating I can give it. None of the stories told in the book feel stale as can easily be the case for books in this sub-genre, and the book manages to make me feel excited about the upcoming 7th film which I initially wanted to boycott on principle of Spyglass being ran by terrible people. Cant recommend this book enough!