Wes Craven's *Scream* was the highest-grossing horror film of 1996, marking a turning point for a genre that had grown stale after years of formulaic slasher sequels and low-budget copycats. The film's self-aware, satirical take on slasher conventions, combined with genuine scares, revitalised horror cinema and set a template that influenced the genre for years afterwards.

*Scream*, directed by Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, grossed $173 million and faced little serious competition that year, with other 1996 horror releases including *Children of the Corn IV*, *Leprechaun 4: In Space* and *Hellraiser: Bloodline*. Its blend of humour and horror, meta commentary on genre tropes, and a shocking opening sequence featuring Drew Barrymore helped it stand out as the first genuinely exciting horror film in years.