Why ‘Scary Movie’s’ Streaming Release Will Likely Follow Paramount’s New PVOD Strategy

BusinessHollywood & EntertainmentWhy ‘Scary Movie’s’ Streaming Release Will Likely Follow Paramount’s New PVOD StrategyByTim Lammers, Contributor. Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I cover Hollywood and entertainment.Follow AuthorJun 07, 2026, 03:50pm EDTMarlon Wayans, Craig Wayans and Maurice Mo Hill in "Scary Movie."Paramount PicturesThe Wayans Bros.’ Scary Movie opened at No. 1 with an estimated $55 million in domestic ticket sales over the weekend, and thanks to its studio Paramount Pictures’ new theatrical-to-streaming window, audiences will get a bit longer to see the film on the big screen. The sixth film in the Scary Movie franchise opened in theaters on Friday. It marks a reboot of the hit comedy franchise, which kicked off in 2000 with Scary Movie and ended in 2013 with Scary Movie 5. Directed by Michael Tiddes, the new Scary Movie stars Damon Wayans Jr., Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris and Regina Hall. Forbes‘Scary Movie’ Rotten Tomatoes Reviews Slice And Dice Wayans Bros. SpoofBy Tim LammersLike previous releases in the franchise, the new Scary Movie is a send-up of modern horror hits, including M3GAN, Terrifier, Get Out, Weapons, Sinners, Longlegs and Scream, among others. The new film is written by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Craig Wayans and Rick Alvarez. Marlon Wayans in "Scary Movie."Paramount Pictures/Quantrell ColbertMORE FOR YOUParamount Pictures Announced A New 45-Day Theatrical-To-Streaming Window At CinemaConAt the 2026 CinemaCon convention of theater owners in mid-April, Paramount and Skydance CEO David Ellison announced that effective immediately, the studio was going to implement a 45-day window from the time Paramount Pictures’ films open in theaters to the day they arrive on digital streaming via premium video on demand. Prior to the announcement, Paramount’s films were made available as soon as a month after they opened in theaters. So, for example, the studio’s hit slasher thriller Scream 7, which opened in theaters on Feb. 27, pivoted to PVOD just over a month later, on March 31. Forbes‘Backrooms’ Drops 70% In Business At Weekend 2 Box OfficeBy Tim LammersAs such, Scary Movie will likely follow Paramount’s new window, which would peg the film for a July 14 release on PVOD, since new releases on digital streaming typically arrive on Tuesdays. New PVOD releases are generally available on such digital platforms as Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video and YouTube Movies & TV to purchase for anywhere between $19.99 and $29.99 and as a 48-hour rental for anywhere between $14.99 and $24.99. While Scary Movie will likely follow Paramount Pictures’ new streaming strategy, there is a remote chance that it could debut a little later than July 14. However, a longer theatrical window is rare for the studio, and generally has been reserved for mega-blockbuster releases from the likes of Tom Cruise, who champions the big-screen experience and has the clout to demand longer theatrical engagments. Forbes‘Mandalorian And Grogu’ Tumbles Out Of Top 5 After 59% Drop At Box OfficeBy Tim LammersFor example, it took Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning 88 days from the day it opened in theaters on May 23, 2025, to its release on PVOD on Aug. 19, 2025. Marlon Wayans in "Scary Movie."Paramount Pictures/Quantrell Colbert‘Scary Movie’ Will Make Its Streaming Video On Demand Premiere On Paramount+Since Scary Movie is a Paramount Pictures release, the Pay-1 window for the film on subscription streaming services belongs to Paramount+. Prior to Paramount Pictures’ implementation of its new 45-day theatrical-to-PVOD window, it would take about a month after the studio’s films debut on PVOD to arrive on Paramount+. However, since Scary Movie is the first major release under Paramount’s new theatrical-to-PVOD strategy, a new theatrical-to-SVOD pattern has yet to be established. Forbes‘Supergirl’ Tracking To Open At $55 Million, Less Than Half Of ‘Superman’s’ First WeekendBy Tim LammersShould Paramount tack on 15 days to create a month window between Scary Movie’s PVOD and SVOD releases, then the film could possibly arrive on Paramount+ on Aug. 20. However, the May 28 release date for Scream 7 on Paramount+ may be a telling sign that Paramount has quietly implemented a 90-day theatrical-to-SVOD window since the film was released on the big screen on Feb. 27. Should Scary Movie follows that same pattern, it could arrive on SVOD on Paramount+ as late as Sept. 3. Rated R, Scary Movie is new in theaters. 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