Scream 2 came out 20 years ago today and it’s time to look back at the top five best moments from one of the best horror sequels of all time!
5. Sidney Punches Gale…Again: The antagonistic relationship between Sidney Prescott and Gale Weathers is played out throughout the first and second film and it’s summed up with a nice punch to the face during this moment from Scream 2. It’s a nice callback to the punch in the first film so that’s why I have included both for your enjoyment.
4. Cici Gets Tossed: It was pretty painful to watch Sarah Michelle Gellar bite the dust in two horror films in 1997 (the first being I Know What You Did Last Summer but she gets a Drew Barrymore inspired role here and gets a pretty cool chase and stalk scene that is one of the best in the film. Guess it’s just not safe to stay at the Omega Beta Zeta house.
3. Dewey Gets Stabbed…Again: Dewey seems to get stabbed in the back a lot and somehow always survives. He gets it again here but the scene plays well on an emotional level as his attack begins in a soundproof room and Gale is on the other side of the glass and can’t see or hear the initial attack. When Dewey reaches a mic as he falls to the ground, Gale then horrifically sees the scene unfold and it provides us with the strongest Dewey and Gale moment of the franchise.
2. Randy’s Death Scene: Nothing upset us more back in 1997 than when Randy fell victim to Ghostface. He was a fan favorite and the voice of every horror nerd watching the movie. That being said, someone, we cared about had to bite the dust and the scene is so strong because we are invested in the character and don’t want to see him go. Great scene…still stings though.
Honorable Mention: Police Car Escape: I couldn’t bare to put this in the top five because I still haven’t forgiven Sidney for getting Hallie killed (she just had to know who the killer was and just had to run back to the car) but the tension is palpable as they both have to escape the crashed cop car and climb over the unconscious killer in the process.
- Opening Scene: The original film is known for its opening scene which is now a horror classic but the opening scene in Scream 2 is just as effective. The idea of being in a crowded theater and still falling victim to murder is genuinely terrifying. The scene is full of whip-smart dialogue and jokes as it begins and the “Stab” movie within a movie is a nice touch as it cuts between the fake film and Maureen’s reactions to what’s going on. It then culminates with Omar Epps getting it in the bathroom and then Jada Pinkett Smith getting killed in the crowd as the moviegoers dressed as Ghostface cheer it on, thinking it’s a publicity. It’s all wonderfully tragic and a testament to Kevin Williamson’s writing and Wes Craven’s superb direction.
