Happy Death Day is a modern horror-comedy that feels like a spiritual successor to Scream in its meta-awareness and blend of genres. The film follows Tree Gelbman, a college student who is murdered on her birthday but then wakes up to relive the day over and over again, like a slasher version of Groundhog Day.

To break the loop, she must figure out who her killer is. The movie is incredibly fun, thanks in large part to Jessica Rothe's charismatic performance as Tree. It's funny, surprisingly heartfelt, and features some genuinely clever twists on both the slasher and time-loop genres. It's a fresh, entertaining take on familiar concepts.

Final Destination kicked off a unique horror franchise by moving away from a physical killer and introducing Death itself as the antagonist. The premise is ingenious: a group of teenagers cheats death after one of them has a premonition of a fatal plane crash, but then Death comes for them one by one in increasingly elaborate and seemingly accidental ways.

While not a slasher in the traditional sense, Final Destination shares the teen focus and the creative death sequences that appeal to fans of the genre. It's a suspenseful and often shocking film that makes you look twice at everyday objects, wondering what might be a deadly trap. The Rube Goldberg-esque death scenes are a highlight.

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later brought back Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode for the first time since 1981, pitting her against her masked brother Michael Myers once again. Released in the wake of Scream's success, this film adopted a similar tone, featuring a cast of popular young actors and a more polished look than previous Halloween sequels.

Set at a private boarding school, the film focuses on Laurie dealing with the trauma of her past while trying to protect her son and his friends from Michael's return. It offers a satisfying confrontation between Laurie and Michael and feels like a direct response to the renewed interest in slashers during the late 90s.

From director Robert Rodriguez, The Faculty blends teen horror with sci-fi paranoia, creating a unique and exciting ride. Set in a high school where the teachers start acting strangely, a group of students suspects something alien is taking over their bodies.

Featuring a fantastic ensemble cast including Elijah Wood, Josh Hartnett, Jordana Brewster, and Salma Hayek, the film is energetic and full of practical effects that hold up well. It captures the feeling of high school cliques and rebellion while delivering genuine scares and a fun, conspiracy-driven plot. It's a great example of how the late 90s horror wave wasn't just confined to slashers.

Taking inspiration from popular urban legends, Urban Legend delivers another dose of late 90s slasher fun set on a college campus. The premise is simple but effective: a killer is using infamous urban legends as their modus operandi for a series of gruesome murders.

The film stars Jared Leto, Alicia Witt, and Rebecca Gayheart, among others, and features some creative kills based on classic campfire tales like the killer in the back seat and the kidney heist. While perhaps not as self-aware as Scream, it leans into its concept with enthusiasm and provides plenty of suspense and red herrings to keep the audience guessing who the killer might be.

Capitalizing on the success of Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer became another staple of the late 90s teen slasher boom. Written by Kevin Williamson (the scribe behind Scream), this film trades the meta-commentary for a more straightforward, suspenseful thriller about a group of friends haunted by a dark secret from their past.

Starring a cast of popular young actors including Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Freddie Prinze Jr., the movie follows them as they are stalked by a hook-wielding killer a year after a hit-and-run accident they covered up. It's atmospheric and features some genuinely tense sequences, making it a solid entry in the era's horror landscape.

Eleven years after the last installment, Scream 4 brought Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson back together to reboot the franchise for a new generation. This film brilliantly dissects the rules of horror remakes and reboots, introducing a fresh cast of characters alongside the beloved original trio.

Set back in Woodsboro, the film sees Sidney Prescott return, only for a new Ghostface to emerge, targeting a new group of teenagers obsessed with horror movies and social media. It's a sharply written, often hilarious, and genuinely scary return to form that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. The kills are creative, the twists are surprising, and the commentary on modern media and fame is spot-on. It's a fantastic continuation of the Scream legacy.

Scream 3 takes the survivors of the Woodsboro massacre to Hollywood, where a movie based on their traumatic experiences is being filmed. This entry delves into the 'rules' of a horror trilogy, playing with the idea that anything can happen in the final installment.

While perhaps not as universally loved as the first two, Scream 3 still offers plenty of Ghostface action and expands the mythology of the killings. It features some fun cameos and satirical jabs at the film industry. Gale Weathers and Dewey Riley get more screen time here, and their dynamic continues to be a highlight. It's an ambitious conclusion to the original trilogy that attempts to tie up loose ends while delivering the expected slasher thrills.

Picking up two years after the original, Scream 2 manages the near-impossible task of being a sequel that's almost as good, if not equally as good, as its predecessor. It cleverly tackles the rules of horror sequels, offering witty commentary on everything from body counts to returning characters.

The stakes are raised as Ghostface returns to terrorize Sidney Prescott at college. The film features some incredibly intense chase sequences and brutal kills, while still maintaining the sharp humor and meta-commentary that made the first film so popular. The expanded cast, including Liev Schreiber, Jamie Kennedy returning as the horror-obsessed Randy, and newcomers like Sarah Michelle Gellar, add layers to the story. It's a smart, exciting follow-up that proves the Scream formula had legs.

Wes Craven's Scream didn't just revitalize the slasher genre in 1996; it completely reinvented it. This film is a masterclass in meta-horror, where the characters are fully aware of horror movie tropes and cliches, often discussing the 'rules' they need to follow to survive.

Kevin Williamson's sharp, witty script is packed with pop culture references and genuinely clever twists that keep you guessing until the very end. The cast, including Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, brought a fresh energy to the genre, making the characters relatable and engaging. Scream is a perfect blend of genuine scares, laugh-out-loud humor, and smart commentary on horror itself. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves a good thrill with a side of self-awareness.