Credit: Dimension Films

Scream 5 is set to hit Aussie cinemas on January 13 so we thought we would take a trip down memory lane and look at the best kills in the Scream franchise.

These are in order of their appearance rather than ranked worst to best as everyone knows that Drew Barrymore’s death would be number one. Speaking of which…

Casey Becker - Stabbed and Hung from a Tree (Scream)

This whole sequence is an absolute classic and like I said earlier if this were a ranked list it would have easily been number one. How can it not be? It’s so iconic. From the initial phone call to the disembowelment of her boyfriend, the filmmakers get everything right and effectively set the tone for not just the first film, but the entire franchise.

Tatum Riley - Stuck in a Garage Door (Scream)

The series is no stranger to silly deaths and this was one of, if not, the first. Rose McGowan’s Tatum didn’t believe she was really in danger and so was made to suffer a very demeaning death – getting stuck in a garage door whilst trying to escape. Certainly memorable if not just that little bit silly.

Stu Macher - Crushed by a TV (Scream)

Maybe it’s a little too on the nose that Stu, one of the killers, was crushed by a TV after hatching a murder plot inspired by film and TV. But it nonetheless works as a visceral and entertaining death.

Maureen Evans - Stabbed at Stab Premiere (Scream 2)

The intro to both the original Scream and Scream 2 are fantastic. This second intro lays the proper groundwork for the sequel, it sets the tone and keeps the audience updated with what has been happening in the world after first film – mainly, Scream becoming an in-universe film franchise named Stab. Jada Pinkett-Smith’s dramatic death in front of the cinema screen is almost as iconic as Barrymore’s in the first film. And Pinkett-Smith’s boyfriend also has a similarly gruesome death resulting from an unfortunate visit to the toilets.

Cici Cooper - Thrown off the Balcony (Scream 2)

This one is noteworthy for all the random household items Cici Cooper (Sarah Michelle Geller) manages to throw at Ghostface, including a bicycle! Unfortunately, all he attempts wouldn’t be enough and she herself gets thrown through a window and then a balcony. Poetic justice from the killer’s perspective I’m sure.

Derek Feldman - Strung Up and Shot (Scream 2)

Being strung up like Christ and shot in the chest is one of the more over-the-top and extravagant deaths in the series and that’s why it’s on this list. It’s not even that Derek Feldman (Jerry O’Connell) is a great character or anything, it’s just that his death is so much bigger than most of the other deaths that he becomes memorable (also that singing scene of his).

Sarah Darling - Punched Through a Window & Stabbed (Scream 3)

This one just keeps building but it has special mention for the fun scene of Sarah Darling (Jenny McCarthy) hiding amongst the Ghostface costumes from Ghostface themself. Very fun scene that sees the lines between Stab and Scream blur that little bit more.

Tyson Fox - Carpet Gag (Scream 3)

This is just simply hilarious. If Scream 3 does nothing for most fans, at least it can make you laugh. I don’t know if Wes Craven was watching a lot of Looney Tunes at the time, but this is silly even for the series standards and it’s great. 

Rachel - A Twist on the Couch (Scream 4)

Another great intro to a Scream film, this time with even more meta commentary. The first time you see it, it tends to catch you off guard as there have already been two deaths before Rachel’s but then right out of nowhere, BAM! Stab starts being meta about other Stab films within Scream. It’s enough to give you a headache but it is a tonne of fun.

Kirby Reed - The Old Tied to a Chair Gag (Scream 4)

It isn’t the most interesting death but it is at least a little fun. A throwback to the first film but this time it’s actually the killer in the chair. Whaaat!? No, it isn’t the most creative but again it does hit the right beats for the most part.

If you haven’t seen the trailer for the upcoming Scream 5 then check it out here. 

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