Scream Celebrates 30 Years in Paris with Neve Campbell's Triumphant Return

Thirty years after redefining modern horror, Scream was celebrated in Paris with a special anniversary screening hosted by Paramount Pictures France at Pathé Beaugrenelle on February 10, 2026. The event honored Wes Craven’s 1996 classic with an in-depth onstage conversation featuring Neve Campbell, whose portrayal of Sidney Prescott remains one of the most influential performances in genre cinema.

The packed theater reflected the film’s lasting cultural footprint, drawing longtime fans and a younger generation discovering the original on the big screen. When Campbell took the stage, she received an extended standing ovation that underscored the emotional connection audiences continue to have with Sidney Prescott three decades later.

During the discussion, Campbell spoke candidly about joining the project in the mid-1990s and what made Kevin Williamson’s script stand apart. She described being drawn to the film’s intelligence and self-awareness, along with Wes Craven’s deliberate, character-driven approach to horror. Sidney was never written as a passive victim. Instead, she embodied resilience, emotional complexity, and moral clarity, qualities that allowed her character to grow across multiple installments.

The screening served as a reminder of the original film’s impact when it premiered in December 1996. At a time when the slasher genre was widely considered exhausted, Scream blended suspense, dark humor, and sharp commentary on horror conventions. The result was a box office success that reshaped the genre and introduced a generation to a new kind of horror storytelling.

Audience reactions throughout the Paris screening demonstrated that the film’s pacing, tension, and iconic sequences remain effective. Gasps, laughter, and applause filled the auditorium, reinforcing that Scream’s layered structure and character-driven stakes still resonate.

The evening also paid tribute to the creative partnership between Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven. Williamson’s fascination with horror tropes and true crime, combined with Craven’s disciplined direction, created a film that was both reverent and subversive. That balance helped elevate Scream beyond a standard slasher entry into a defining moment in modern horror history.

The Paris celebration arrives just weeks before the release of Scream 7, scheduled for late February 2026. With Neve Campbell returning as Sidney Prescott and Kevin Williamson stepping into the director’s chair, the franchise appears poised to reconnect with its roots while continuing to evolve.

Arriving just weeks ahead of Scream 7, scheduled for late February 2026, the Paris event felt especially meaningful. With Neve Campbell returning as Sidney Prescott and Kevin Williamson now directing, the franchise appears ready to reconnect with its roots while moving forward. The audience reaction made it clear that Scream is not simply remembered. It is still actively loved. The anniversary screening did not feel like nostalgia for something finished. It felt like a continuation.