For months, Paramount+ has been Taylor Sheridan's personal playground. From Yellowstone to Tulsa King and Mayor of Kingstown, his shows have dominated the streamer's charts. Most recently, Lioness has been the crown jewel, with Zoe Saldaña's Joe McNamara leading her team of operatives through a gripping third season that critics have hailed as potentially the best yet.
But the landscape is shifting. As Lioness prepares for its explosive season finale on Sunday, September 20, a new challenger has emerged from the shadows—and it's not another Sheridan drama. Instead, it's the return of a beloved horror comedy franchise that's making waves both in theaters and now on streaming.
The Comeback of Scary Movie
Scary Movie 6, the latest installment in the parody series that began 25 years ago, has officially become the most-watched movie on Paramount+ in the U.S. after its streaming debut. The film, which brought back the original Wayans brothers—Marlon, Shawn, and Keenen Ivory—as writers, has been a surprise hit, both at the box office and now on the small screen.
The movie takes aim at modern horror hits like Smile, Nope, Get Out, The Substance, Sinners, and Weapons, delivering the franchise's signature blend of irreverent humor and pop culture satire. While critics and audiences have been divided, the film's popularity is undeniable.
A Box Office Triumph
Despite initial skepticism, Scary Movie 6 proved to be a financial success, grossing over $231 million worldwide against a modest $30 million budget. It became the first installment since the original to cross the $200 million mark, though it fell short of the first film's $277 million haul. Still, for a franchise that many thought had run its course, this revival has been a pleasant surprise.
Now, with its streaming release, the movie is poised to dethrone Lioness as the top title on Paramount+. As of now, it sits at #2 overall, just behind Sheridan's spy thriller, but with the Lioness finale airing this weekend, the horror comedy could easily take the #1 spot.
What This Means for Streaming
This shift highlights the growing power of horror on streaming platforms. While dramas and crime thrillers have long dominated, audiences are increasingly drawn to genre fare that offers a mix of scares and laughs. The success of Scary Movie 6 also underscores the enduring appeal of the Wayans brothers' brand of comedy, which has remained relevant even as the horror genre has evolved.
For Taylor Sheridan, this is a rare challenge to his streaming dominance. But with multiple projects in the pipeline, including the Tulsa King spinoff featuring Samuel L. Jackson, he's unlikely to stay down for long.
As we head into the fall, the battle for streaming supremacy is heating up. With Scary Movie 6 now in the mix, and other horror titles like Sick and The Heretiks generating buzz, it's clear that horror is having a moment. Whether it can sustain that momentum remains to be seen, but for now, the Wayans brothers are laughing all the way to the top of the charts.
Scary Movie 6 is now streaming on Paramount+. Stay tuned for more updates on the streaming wars.
