Scary Documentaries: Paranormal and Urban Legends

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Best of Movies Featured Scary Movies and Series

You’ve likely seen the Instagram memes about the millennials who go crazy any time a new serial killer documentary drops on Netflix. But have you met the eye-rolling horror fanatics who are eager to tell you that they loved horror documentaries way before they went mainstream? And not just about The Night Stalker or Zac Efron’s version of Ted Bundy, but also the demon house, killer clown, and paranormal investigation that didn’t make the news. These chilling tales happen every day, and many have been made into terrifying horror documentaries that indulge your passion for true crime while frightening you way more than Making a Murderer or any scary documentary ever has. Why? Because while many horror flicks claim to be “based on a true story” (don’t get us started,) the things that transpire in paranormal documentaries actually happened. Truth is stranger than fiction, and you’ll be kept up at night after you watch the most terrifying horror and paranormal documentaries below. 

Demon House

Demon House Paranormal Documentary

Released: 2018

If you thought the Amityville house was haunted and terrifying, just wait until you watch one of our favorite paranormal documentaries and true crime stories about the Ammon family. This tale of paranormal activity and demonic possession took place only a decade ago in Indiana, and while some had their doubts about the Ammon family’s claims of levitation, death threats, and ghostly shadow figures… you can’t ignore the facts of Demon House. Paranormal investigator Zak Bagans shot this documentary on the property, only to have it demolished just two years later due to the terrifying events. Dread Central’s Steve Barton calls Demon House “one of the single most compelling horror documentaries on the existence of the supernatural that I’ve ever witnessed,” and Puzzle Box Horror definitely agrees. 

Beware the Slenderman

Slender Man Scary Documentary

Released: 2016

Slenderman, the infamous creepypasta character with mile-long limbs and no face, stepped out of the shadow of internet forums and into the spotlight with this documentary – and the crime that inspired it. Remember the two 12-year old girls from Wisconsin who stabbed their friend 19 times in 2014, only to say that it was an order from the Slender Man? This documentary tells you all the details of that horrifying day – with interviews, creepy footage, and background on the Slenderman. How did he go from being a supernatural, suit-wearing stalker that only lived on internet forums, to one of the most terrifying fictional monsters of the 2010’s? They aren’t kidding when they say that the internet is a scary place!

Cropsey

Cropsey Terrifying Documentary

Released: 2009

Without giving too much away, anybody who has seen Cropsey knows that it’s not a supernatural tale in its entirety. It’s also a bit confusing – mixing true crime with the paranormal to leave you wondering who is the true villain in this tale. Is it Cropsey, the boogeyman-like urban legend of Staten Island that people used to scare their kids into being good? Or Andre Rand, the real-life version of the monster who began kidnapping kids and causing terror left and right? This is one of the best horror documentaries that was made before Netflix and Hulu started pumping them out on a regular basis, and you’ll want to watch it five more times just to get every last detail. 

Hostage to the Devil

Hostage To The Devil Horror Documentary

Released: 2016

Exorcism stories aren’t exactly new in the horror genre. There’s only about a million horror movies about possessed children and the priests who try to free them. But horror documentaries about real-life exorcisms in which the devil literally locks you in a room for days on end? That’s a little more rare, and exactly why you need to watch Hostage to the Devil on Netflix. Based on the book of the same name, this terrifying documentary shares the details of a battle between good (okay, this is debatable) and ancient evil as they fight for the soul of a possessed child. After you watch the documentary, be sure to start Googling all the extra details that didn’t make it on your screen. You’ll never be able to watch horror movies about exorcisms the same way again. 

My Amityville Horror

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Released: 2012

Amityville isn’t just your typical haunted house story, it’s the demon house story. Any real horror fan knows the tale of the original demon house – how Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family in cold blood, one year before the Lutzes moved in and went running after experiencing insane amounts of paranormal activity and ghostly events. There has been an entire lineup of horror movies (and a lot of skepticism) in the decades since the Lutzes ran for their lives, but there’s something that sets My Amityville Horror apart. It features Daniel Lutz, the oldest member of the family who experienced these horrific events in the demon house firsthand. While he stayed silent for nearly 40 years, he doesn’t hold back in this documentary about America’s most famous haunted house, and you’ll have chills running down your spine with every word he speaks.

Killer Legends 

Killer Legends scary documentary poster

Released: 2014

If you loved reading the Scary Stories to Tell In The Dark book series as a child (and who didn’t?), then you’re going to love Killer Legends. Ghosts, demon houses, and serial killers all come together with this documentary that dives into the real-life origins behind the world’s most famous urban legends. You know – the murderous mental patient with a hook for a hand, the killer clown, the babysitter who gets a call coming from inside the house. Some are paranormal, and some aren’t… but each one will give you a glimpse of real-world terror that brings back major memories of telling these stories around the bonfire. This is the meta scary documentary if you are looking for variety.

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror 

Horror Noire- A History of Black Horror film

Released: 2019

“Delving into a century of genre films that by turns utilized, caricatured, exploited, sidelined, and finally embraced them, Horror Noire traces the untold history of Black Americans in Hollywood through their connection to the horror genre.” Perhaps one of the most modern horror documentaries on this list, Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror features a lineup of Black horror enthusiasts (including scholars like Tananarive Due and creators like Jordan Peele) to tell the story of Black Americans in a supernatural world. While it’s less scary and more informative, this eye-opening documentary will help you see films like Get Out and Blacula in a whole new way. Grab your popcorn and save up all your mental energy, because you’re going to need it for this mind-blowing horror documentary.

The Nightmare 

The Nightmare horror documentary poster

Released: 2015

Sleep is an escape from the horrors of everyday life, right? Not when you have sleep paralysis, a terrifying condition that makes you unable to speak, move, or have any control over their body while waking up or falling asleep. The lack of control is frightening enough, as it’s the foundation in which we live our lives – but what do you do when you start imagining ghosts, shadow figures, and supernatural beings in the corner of your bedroom when you can’t move a muscle? That’s exactly what you’ll discover with The Nightmare, a mix of real-world and supernatural horror that interviews those with sleep paralysis to discover the terrifying worlds they’ve created in their minds. You’ll never want to fall asleep again after watching this horrifying documentary, and we mean that literally. 

A Haunting in Connecticut

A Haunting in Connecticut 2002 documentary poster

Released: 2002

No, we’re not talking about the super underrated 2009 scary documentary The Haunting in Connecticut… as this 2002 documentary told the ghost story from your living room first. The Snedeker family moves to Connecticut and finds a beautiful house that they think is a major steal, only to discover that it used to be a funeral home as they experience terrifying visions and paranormal activity from every corner of the property. Awesome. Unlike the movie, this paranormal documentary details how the family called in expert ghost hunter Ed and Lorraine Warren (of The Conjuring fame) to rid the house of demons. Like most demon house stories, the Snedekers haven’t gone without a bit of skepticism… but this is a tried-and-true ghost story that any paranormal lover will love watching on a Friday night. 

The Enfield Poltergeist

The Enfield Poltergeist frightening documentary poster

Released: 2002

Even the Brits have their ghosts and supernatural fixtures, and The Enfield Poltergeist is definitely proof. Back in 1970’s London, two young sisters started acting strangely – and that was just the beginning of it. There was also moving furniture, levitation, shadow figures and disembodied voices that many came to believe was a poltergeist. Or in other words, a troublesome ghost that has nothing better to do with its time. As one of the original poltergeist tales, this scary documentary is a must-have for any ghost enthusiast. 

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Scotland’s Haunted Castles – By Lynsey Mitchell

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Featured Haunted Places Lifestyle

Scotland is a country known for its majestic castles. With a history that dates way back, people lived in Scotland for at least 8,500 years before Britain’s history records started. It is one of the oldest countries and Europe and with that comes a lot of history and ghost stories! The castles of Scotland have seen more life, death, and tragedy than any building in North America. So it’s no wonder they have a few hauntings. Almost every castle in Scotland has a ghost story or two or more from over the centuries. These are some of the most haunted castles in Scotland which also makes them my favourites!

Crathes Castle, Banchory

Crathes Haunted Castle, Banchory Scotland Image

There are many sightings of a Green Lady in Scottish castles. No one would know if it’s the same Green Lady or not. A popular sighting tends to be Crathes Castle, where many people have been said to have seen a green lady cradling a baby. When Crathes Castle was renovated in the 1800s, there were some children’s bones found beneath the fireplace in the room that has long been known as the Green Lady’s room. Who these belong to has never been discovered.  One theory about the Green Lady is that she has come from an incident where Lady Agnes, widow of the Laird, was an overbearing, obsessive mother to her son, Alexander. When he grew and formed a relationship with a common young lady named Bertha, Lady Agnes was not happy with the idea of sharing her son with this young woman. When Alexander was away on a long journey, Lady Agnes decided to poison Bertha. Alexander returned to the news that she had passed away. 

In an effort to comfort him, Lady Agnes prepared him a meal. However, when he reached for a goblet, she snatched it away, realising that this was the same goblet that had held the poison she used to kill Bertha. Alexander was furious with his mother. 

When Bertha’s parents arrived to collect her remains, Lady Agnes was screaming “She comes! She comes!” and was struck dead within minutes. 

However, the Green Lady has never been identified as either Agnes or Bertha. Some say that Bertha herself has been sighted on the anniversary of her death. Some believe that the Green Lady is the ghost of a servant who disappeared after getting pregnant. 

Falkland Palace, Fife 

Falkland Haunted Palace, Fife Scotland

Before Falkland Palace was constructed, it was a hunting lodge. When it was expanded, it was owned by The Earls of Fife – Clan MacDuff. 

Falkland Palace was apparently loved by Mary Queen of Scots, and some have claimed to have seen her ghost around there. It is said that if you stare through a window in the Queen’s bedroom, you’ll see a sinister face staring back at you. 

There is also the ghost of the White Lady, who will disappear through a wall once she catches you staring at her.

Another ghost has been sighted in the Tapestry Gallery, known as the Grey Lady and she can be seen anxiously pacing. It is said that her lover left for battle and never returned, but to this day, she is still waiting. 

Several staff members have reported seeing the Grey Lady. One of whom – a gardener- has reported seeing her wandering around the drive of the castle. Another experience from the same staff member was when she and a friend were in Lord Bute’s room. While they had reason to be in there, they found that they felt uncomfortable, as though they were intruders. 

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Haunted Castle, Edinburgh Scotland

Edinburgh Castle is said to be one of the most haunted places in Scotland. Many of the former prisoners are said to haunt the dungeons to this day. One unfortunate prisoner had chosen to hide in a dung barrel, thinking that the barrow would be wheeled down the Royal Mile and he could escape. However, he had not considered how the dung was disposed of and he was thrown down the slopes of the castle to his death. Many visitors claim to experience a feeling that someone is trying to push them, accompanied by an unpleasant smell. 

There is also the ghost of the piper boy. This dates back several centuries to when there were tunnels found under the castle. The entrance was so small, that the piper boy was the only one who could fit. He was instructed to investigate where the tunnels lead, but to play his bagpipes as he travelled, so that everyone knew where he was. As he wandered the tunnels, multiple people were listening for the sounds of his bagpipes, but the sound of piping stopped somewhere near Tron Kirk, a church on the Royal Mile. There were several attempts to find the boy, but there was never any trace of him. The city council ordered the tunnel to be sealed, but late at night, some people still say that they hear the sound of a single bagpipe playing from beneath their feet. 

 A headless drummer was seen shortly before Oliver Cromwell attacked the castle in 1650. While the sightings are rare, often people claim to hear the sounds of drums inside the castle. It is said that his appearance would come as a warning when the castle was about to come under attack. No one knows who the ghost may be, or how he died, but a common belief is that he was beheaded. 

Janet Douglas, Lady of Glamis is the tragic woman who was accused of trying to poison the king and of practising witchcraft. In 1537, she was burned at the stake, while her 16-year-old son watched. She was one of thousands of victims of Scotland’s witch hunting. It was shortly after her death that apparitions of (another) Grey Lady began to happen at the castle. She is often spotted wandering the halls and weeping. There have also been reports of knocking sounds, which some believe could be the sounds of workmen building the structure that killed Janet. 

If you love horror and all things scary, check out author Lynsey Mitchell’s blog -> Lynsey’s Awesome Horror Blog

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Scream Killers Over the Decades

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Best Of Best of Movies Featured Scary Movies and Series

Ghostface has had many identities from the original Scream to Scream 6 2023, here are all the scream killers.

The Ghostface killer became a horror film icon the moment he, she or sometimes they first appeared in 1996’s “Scream,” terrorizing Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and the residents of Woodsboro. Since that Wes Craven classic has been released there have been 5 movies in the franchise. Each new and arguably clever Scream killer has had their mysterious identity revealed in the end of the film with varying responses from audiences. Much like Scooby Doo we all await the removal of the infamous Ghostface Scream Killer mask.

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Scream 6 Killers (2023)

Scream 6 takes us to NYC where Tara has enrolled in college and Sam (billy Loomis’s daughter) has followed her half sister to protect her from future variations of Ghostface. Following our classic whodunnit format Scream 6 still manages to bring some fresh ideas and twists to the now notable franchise. In the end we have 3 killers in Scream 6.

Wayne Bailey, Quinn Bailey and Ethan Landry are the 3 killers in Scream 6. Quinn is a roommate who found the sisters through a local apartment ad as is Ethan who befriended and became roommates with Scream 5 survivor Chad. Finally, Wayne Bailey (Quinn and Ethan’s father) is a NYC police detective.

The killers connection to Sam and Tara in Scream 6 is that Wayne Bailey, Quinn Bailey and Ethan Landry are related to Ritchie (Scream 5 killer). They have come to take revenge on Sam for dispatching him in the previous film.

Scream 2022 Slasher Poster featuring ghostface and the cast

Scream (2022) Killers aka Scream 5

Scream 5 picks up in Woodsboro 11 years after Scream 4. The characters have had an entire decade of normal life since the last killers were taken care of. Dewey and Gail have divorced and Dewey has taken to the bottle. Sidney has children and a life of her own far away from Woodsboro. With calm comes the innevitable storm though.

The release of Stab 8 has fans furious with deviations from the original plot and the introduction of ridiculous new weapons and characters. And Ghostface is determined to re-write this as a proper requel.

Ghostface re-emerges bringing the original characters back together. As a requel requires a sacrifice of an original character, Dewey does not make it through this film.

Amber Freeman and Richie Kirsch are the Scream 2022 or Scream 5 Killers

The killers from Scream 5 are reveled as Amber and Richie two fanatic fans of the Stab movie that have taken the requel into their own hands. They attempt to frame Sam Carpenter (turns out this is Billy Loomis’s daughter from Scream 1) but ultimately meet the usual demise.

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Scream 4 (2011) Killers

Scream 4 movie poster featuring a face blended into the number 4

Scream 4 2011 was a bit of surprise since the trilogy had been completed with Scream 3 in 2000. Wes Craven and much of the original cast announced in 2010 that Scream 4 (Scre4m) was a go and we got another chance to see the Ghostface slasher in action. Scream 4 aka Scre4m performed a bit better with audiences than Scream 3. Receiving a decent 60% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Scream 4 is fun, but more clever-clever than fiendishly ingenious

Philip French Guardian

Sidney Prescott, in order to get over the trauma of the Ghostface Killer’s murderous rampage a decade earlier, has written a self-help book. She returns to Woodsboro for her book tour and reconnects with old friends Gale Weathers and Sheriff Dewey. Sidney’s arrival home sparks Ghostface’s return, putting Sidney and everyone she loves in danger.

Jill Roberts and Charlie Walker are Scream 4’s Killers.

Jill Roberts and Charlie Walker Scream 4 killers seen kissing

This time around it is Sidney’s niece, Jill Roberts who dons the Ghostface mask and costume. Jill’s homicidal rampage is the result of growing up with the infamous Sidney and always being second to her epic tragedies and life. Her jealousy overcomes her so she decides to become the next Scream Killer. Like Billy, she betrays her co-murdered, Charlie Walker by stabbing him in the heart. Albeit more successfully than Billy did with Stu in the original.

In the closing scenes Sidney shoots Jill in the hospital even though reporters claim that Jill is the only one to survive the massacre. Did Jill somehow survive and will make a re-appearance in Scream 2022? We’ll find out January 14th!

Scream 3 (2000) Killer

Scream 3 movie poster featuring the case and an eye in a 3

Scream 3, the finale of the trilogy had a rough go with fans receiving abysmal scores on Rotten Tomatoes and other review sites. This was originally meant to be the final movie, however 10 years later Ghostface returned in Scream 4 and now in 2022 we have Scream 5 or Scream 2022 coming out. You just can’t keep Ghostface down!

The cast is good. And so are director Wes Craven’s inventive stagings of these set-tos. Not so good is the absence of hip cross-references to the classic horror tropes.

Richard Schickel – TIME Magazine

Scream 3 picks up in Hollywood where Stab 3 is being shot, with Gale Weathers and Dwight Riley on set as advisors to director Jennifer Jolie. Ghostface, who has other plans, decides to kill the cast in the order of the screenplay. Sidney aka Sid Prescott comes out of seclusion to help solve the mystery and stop the latest Scream Killer.

Roman Bridger is Scream 3’s Killer

Scream 3 Killer Roman Bridger seen in a black hooded robe

Scream 3’s killer is discovered to be Roman Bridger Sidney’s half brother. Turns out her mother had another child when she herself was an actress in Hollywood. Side note – Sidney’s parent’s infidelity has certainly fueled this franchise.

Roman Bridger is the first Scream Killer to act alone. He is driven by jealousy of Sid’s fame. In the end he dies much like Billy in the first Scream.. shot in the head after several dramatic final attempts at Sid’s life.

Scream 2 (1997) Killers

Scream 2 horror movie poster featuring the cast and two faces of the main actress in the background

The horror comedy sequel did not disappoint. Kevin Williamson, who wrote the trilogy, provided a five-page outline for the sequel to Scream when auctioning his original script, hoping to entice bidders with the potential of buying a franchise. So, that worked out really well. Scream 2 fell just short of the original earning 172 million, which is a huge accomplishment for a sequel. Especially one behind such an epic release.

The rest of the cast of disposable archetypes deadpanned about why ”sequels suck” — a particularly funny joke, since this one didn’t.

Chris Nashawaty – Entertainment Weekly

Sidney and tabloid reporter Gale Weathers survived the events of the first “Scream,” but their nightmare isn’t over. When two college students are murdered at a sneak preview of “Stab,” a movie based on the events from the first film, it’s clear a copycat killer is on the loose. Sidney and Gail, as well as fellow survivors Deputy Dewey and Randy have to find out who is behind this new murder spree, before they all end up dead.

Mrs. Loomis (Debbie Salt ) and Mickey Altieri are the Killers in Scream 2

Mrs. Loomis aka Debbie Salt uses film student Mickey Altieri who wants to be caught so that he can blame violent horror movies for his crimes. Sound familiar? Mrs Loomis blames Sidney for Billy’s death in the original Scream and she plots out her revenge with the impressionable Micky. Seems the Loomis family really know how to charm accomplices. Neither killer make it out alive though and Sidney lives to fight another 3-4 movies.

Scream (1996) Killers

Scream movie poster featuring the main actress Neve Campbell

Well this was epic was it not? Loaded with twists and turns this whoidunit slasher mystery crossover breathed new life into the genre. The 80’s were the slasher golden era and by the end of the 90’s slasher flicks were headed straight to video, but leave it to none other than Wes Craven to bring something a little different to the table. Scream performed extremely well with audiences, especially for a slasher flick. . And it was the birth of the now infamous Ghostface Killer.

Through reinvention and self-awareness, Scream brought the slasher genre to new, fun, and bloody heights.

Kristy Strouse Wonderfully Weird and Horrifying

The sleepy little town of Woodsboro just woke up screaming. There’s a killer in their midst who’s seen a few too many scary movies. Suddenly nobody is safe, as the psychopath stalks victims, taunts them with trivia questions, then rips them to bloody shreds. It could be anybody…

Billy Loomis and Stu Macher are the original Scream Killers

Original Scream Killers Billy Loomis and Stu Macher seen talking with blood on their shirts and face

Billy sets out to take revenge on the Prescott family who he blames for his parents splitting up and his mother abandoning him. Both Sidney and her father are to die for her father’s affair with Billy’s mother that drove her away. In a complex plot, including framing a side character Cotton Weary for the murders, Billy and Stu go on a murderous rampage in the quaint town of Woodsboro. Stu has little excuse aside from being influenced by the charismatic Billy. Their demise is epic, but the Ghostface costume they use becomes the thread for the next 4 movies.

Ghostface has already gone down in history. You can find the costumes everywhere these days and in 2022 we expect that trend to continue. Once we know how Scream 2022 ends we will update this list. Is that really going to be the end or are we going Jason, Freddy or Michael Meyers here? TBD

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Scream’s Ghostface Mask History and Variations

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Featured Lifestyle Scary Movies and Series

Much as Jason Vorhees forever changed the hockey goalie mask Ghostface has brought fame and fortune to the Scream movie mask or is it the Ghostface mask, well really it was called “The Peanut-Eyed Ghost,” but we’ll get to that. Since the original Scream movie the mask has taken off in popularity and there are dozens of variations, fan versions, and remakes available. In the mid 1990s it is widely considered the highest selling Halloween mask and continues to sell thousands a month and even more in September and October.

History of the Ghostface Scream Mask

Scream was originally going to be called “Scary Movie,” but after the Scream’s Ghostface mask was discovered the movie title was eventually changed to “Scream.” Mostly likely due to mask’s inspiration from the impressionistic painter Edward Munch´s “The Scream” – 1893.

Edward Munch´s “The Scream" oil painting

Ghostface’s Scream mask was originally discovered at a scouting location once used by an Alfred Hitchcock film, by Marianne Maddalena. Much like there are different killers in the Scream franchise, there are different stories as to where the mask was found from a box to draped over a chair, but what remains consistent that it was discovered on a location scouting mission.

This is like the famous Scream painting

Wes Craven

After the generous home owner let them take the mask the production team set to making their own variation. The script called for a mask that you might find at a “dime store” and after 20 variation attempts the team was still not able to create something satisfactory.

They must’ve done 20 different designs. Every one of them was rejected by the studio, and finally we were like, why don’t we just get the rights to this mask?

Behind the Scenes Scream

Concept Art of the Variations

ghostface scream mask concept art
ghostface scream mask concept art two designs
ghostface scream mask concept art with scary teeth
ghostface scream mask concept art 12 variations

Finally, it was suggested that they simply get the rights to use the mask. The original mask was created by “Fun World” and it was called “The Peanut-Eyed Ghost.” Fun World currently sells 9 variations of the mask but they are a retail distributor so you cannot buy just one directly from them, sorry. The Ghostface scream mask was originally designed by Brigitte Sleiertin for the “Fantastic Faces” series somewhere around 1994. She noted that she was influenced by the Scream Painting but also:

I just loved all vintage animation and that fluid, almost rubbery movement

Brigitte Sleiertin original Scream Mask Designer

But the saga continues. Her boss at the time, Alan Geller, has claimed he actually created the mask, but nothing has surfaced to date to prove that.

Scream Behind The Scenes Documentary

Ghostface Scream Mask Variations

Fun World made a guide of many of the face mold options, but there is more than just the molds. There are color variations, themes, and anniversary editions all out there for your collection.

Scream mask variations

2022 Ghostface Mask Variations

The Patriot, Pumpkin, Pride, Blood, Dead by Daylight Ghostface mask and more. These Ghostface Masks are currently Available at Horror Hub Marketplace

Older Ghostface Mask Variations

2018 Ghostface Mask Variations

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2017 Ghostface Mask Variations

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Scream the Series Masks

MTV’s adaptation of the movie franchise ran for 3 seasons. For the first two seasons the series did not use the official Ghostface Mask. Instead it ran with a variant of sorts. More of a post surgical mask, but with some reference to the original. This did not go over well with die hard Scream fans so in season 3 MTV got the rights from Fun World to use a proper Ghostface mask.

Scream mask from MTV series with a man holding a knife

The future of the Scream mask seems certain, more variations! Until then stay creepy and enjoy the upcoming 5th release this week.

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