The Scream franchise features one of the most iconic horror movie villains of all time and the best Ghostface quotes help to cement that reputation. Over the years of the franchise's popularity, audiences have come to love the iconic horror villain's witty lines. Ghostface simultaneously balances hilarity with genuine menace in each Scream entry. No matter who the killer behind the mask is, they manage to combine pop culture knowledge with real fear.
The Ghostface in Scream VI added a new element to the franchise but also honors what fans have come to expect from the masked killer. This includes his famous taunting of his victims over the phone while quizzing them on their favorite scary movies and displaying some remorseless dark humor while killing the latest victim. Though every movie has featured a different killer/killers behind the mask, the unhinged sense of humor and the near-encyclopedic knowledge of horror has remained intact.
15 “Do You Think I Made It Inside Your House Before You Could Re-arm?”
Talking to Tara - Scream 5 (2022)
Scream 5 introduced a whole new generation of people in Woodsboro that would be chased by a new generation of Ghostface killers. This particular Ghostface quote comes from the beginning of the movie as Tara takes her first phone call from the killer and becomes a target.
The audience might think that she’s going to get out of being one of Ghostface’s victims because of how drawn out their conversation is.
While the call begins with Tara and Ghostface talking about horror movies (Tara prefers elevated horror to slasher flicks), Tara eventually realizes that it’s not a prank. The audience might think that she’s going to get out of being one of Ghostface’s victims because of how drawn out their conversation is, but Ghostface surprises Tara and the audience by revealing that they’ve made it into Tara’s house. It’s a classic jump scare moment in the franchise just before Tara is stabbed multiple times — but she still survives her wounds to become one of the new franchise heroines.
14 “Maybe You’re Too Weak For This Franchise.”
Talking to Sam - Scream 5 (2022)
The other new franchise heroine in Scream 5 is Sam, the previously unknown daughter of Billy Loomis. Ghostface knows Sam’s secret, even though she’s tried incredibly hard to keep it ever since she found out as a teenager. The secret is one that she believes tore her family apart, and Sam has been running from it — right up until she finds out her little sister was attacked by Ghostface.
This Ghostface taunts Sam with her family history instead of just scary movies. Though Sam is singled out as the heroine by the duo who take on the Ghostface persona in Scream 5, they think they can “take over the franchise” from her and Sidney, not realizing that the more Sam is taunted and the more her sister is placed in danger, the more likely she is to become violent herself and fight back. This is one of the Ghostface quotes used to provoke her, only turning her into the hero of the story.
13 "Welcome Home, Sidney. Preview Of Events Coming."
Talking To Sidney - Scream 4 (2011)
Scream 4 sees the Ghostface killer going after a new group of young victims, but that doesn't mean they are the ultimate target. Olivia Morris marks the third death in the movie with Sidney discovering her body. When Olivia's phone rings after she is killed, Sidney answers it. On the other end is the familiar, distorted voice of Ghostface in a nod to the iconic "Hello, Sidney" while making a promise of more carnage to come.
Scream 4 was a clever commentary on reboots with the action seemingly revolving around the next generation of characters. However, this chilling line was a reminder that Sidney was still the star of the show. It also ties into the movie theme that all the films follow with the mention of a preview or trailer, like in an actual movie. It delves into the meta that the series loves to play with.
12 "I Only Hear You Too, Sidney."
Talking To Sidney - Scream 3 (2000)
Scream 6 without Sidney Prescott was a bold move as she has been tied to each Ghostface as a figure of obsession. In Scream 3, this sinister quote comes in a roundabout, somewhat mocking way. When Sidney answers the phone, the voice on the other end repeats what she says twice. Thinking that it is either Gale or Dewey, she tells the person on the line to call her back because she can only hear herself talking.
This is when the voice becomes clear.
The killer's use of a voice modulator that allows them to perfectly mimic the voices of the other characters in the movie is a silly inclusion in the third movie, but this is the best use of the concept. What makes the quote more memorable is that the setup is somewhat confusing. Typically in the Scream movies, as soon as the phone rings, the audience knows who's on the other end even if the characters don't. In this case, the audience is as confused as Sidney, leading to the effective reveal.
11 "When You're Friends With Sid, You Die."
Talking To Sidney - Scream 3 (2000)
This hair-raising quote from Scream 3 comes about in more of a mocking tone. Speaking with Sidney on the phone, the Ghostface monologue begins with him taunting her about the people she's closest to in life. Needless to say, the killer is also twisting the metaphorical knife as well. Telling her that it is up to her to save their lives, Sidney begins to question if the events unfolding are even real. In the end, the whole thing is heartbreaking for the final girl. It's a tough moment for a well-loved character who has already been through so much pain.
Scream Movies: Where Is Woodsboro? Every Filming Location
At the center of Wes Craven's Scream series sits the quiet, fictional town of Woodsboro, which is made up of a number of real-life locations.
The Scream movies are unique in of the slasher genre since there is always a new Ghostface killer in each new movie rather than a continuing villain, like Halloween's Michael Myers or Friday the 13th's Jason Voorhees. However, with Roger Jackson providing the voice throughout the entire series, the iconic mask and quotes like this give the sense that Ghostface and Sidney share a long history.
10 “It’s An Honor.”
To Dewey - Scream 5 (2022)
Most of the best Ghostface quotes are those repeated in multiple movies in the franchise, the ones that taunt the victims. This is not one of those lines. Instead, it’s one said to Dewey in Scream 5 right as he becomes Ghostface’s latest victim. Dewey survived attacks in multiple Scream movies and was there to protect Sidney and Gale for over 20 years, even when his relationship with Gale ended. Back in his hometown, as a new generation takes over the Ghostface mask is when Dewey meets his end. Even the new Ghostface knows that Dewey is a legend.
Seeing such a fan-favorite character killed off is an emotional moment and the line that Ghostface gets in this moment could have made or ruined the scene. While many fans might have expected a final taunt, this quote is even more chilling as Ghostface takes a moment to pay respect to Dewey without ever hesitating in brutally killing him. It brilliantly links into the sequel's theme of the killers being fans of the mythology.
9 "If You Want To Be In The Hospital, I'd Be Happy To Put You There."
Talking To Rebecca - Scream 4 (2011)
As one of the few creepy quotes from Ghostface that isn't directed at Sidney, this line is said to Rebecca Walters in Scream 4 after her vehicle alarm is triggered inside a parking garage. As Sidney's publicist and personal assistant, she was fired just moments before the call. Fearing that this killer is coming after her, Rebecca claims to be inside the hospital, but the voice on the phone does not believe her. It escalates and escalates until she ends up dying quite horribly.
The whole scene builds up amazingly to that death, and that quote is one of the reasons it works so well. One of the things that the Scream movies do so well is build these phone call scenes to get the most tension. The call begins with Rebecca's confusion, then that turns to fear as she realizes this is the killer threatening her. However, this quote solidifies the immediate danger with Rebecca's realization that the killer is close enough to be watching her.
8 "Don't Forget To Set The Alarm."
Talking To Cici - Scream 2 (1997)
If the Scream franchise is known for anything, it's that there are always multiple cameos from big-name stars. In Scream 2, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Cici Cooper gets taunted by Ghostface in a truly over-the-top scene. This line was intended to mock her attempts at staying safe, making it even creepier. After all, audiences know that when Ghostface says such things, the killer is probably in the house and waiting to strike. Using that knowledge, the scene brings the scare to even greater heights.
It is not often such horror movie killers would be seen tripping and getting kicked the way Ghostface does, and it adds a feeling that the victims can escape.
What makes Ghostface a memorable slasher movie villain in all of these movies is that they are ultimately vulnerable. It is not often such horror movie killers would be seen tripping and getting kicked the way Ghostface does, and it adds a feeling that the victims can escape. However, quotes like these also cement the mind games the killer effectively plays with their victims, being one step ahead of them in their escape.
7 "Never Say 'Who's There?' Don't You Watch Scary Movies?"
Talking To Casey - Scream (1996)
From the iconic first Scream film, the first character that Ghostface taunts over the phone is Casey Becker. Not sure what to make of the strange phone call, Casey misses a trick question about the first Friday the 13th movie. After all, it's always Mrs. Vorhees who was the killer, not Jason. With the wrong question, Ghostface seals Casey's future death. While her boyfriend did die, it's she who has the most brutal and heartbreaking kill in the first movie.
The line also shows Ghostface's own propensity to look down on others who don't know the horror movie genre as well as the killer does. Casey's scared reaction to the doorbell ringing is only met with mockery by the horror-loving killer. This is a defining line of the series, as the first scene introduces the clever idea of horror movie characters who understand the cliches, tropes, and rules of horror movies.
6 "You Hang Up On Me Again, I'll Gut You Like A Fish."
Talking To Casey - Scream (1996)
This Ghostface quote in the call with Casey turns it from slightly fun and flirty to straight-up terrifying. After being hung up on and cursed at, Ghostface could no longer maintain the lighthearted conversation. That's the key moment when Casey realizes that she's very much in danger. The line also turns somewhat prophetic as Ghostface does, indeed, gut Casey like a fish in her murder.
Billy vs. Stu: Which Ghostface Killed Which Victim In Scream
Both Billy Loomis and Stu Macher wear the Ghostface mask and kill many victims in the first Scream, but who kills the most in Woodsboro and why?
The entire scene and conversation are absolutely iconic, making it one of the best openings in horror movie history while setting up the plot for the Scream franchise as a whole. The 180º in Ghostface's demeanor shows that the killer can change from fun to terrifying in a heartbeat. The scene is wonderfully built with the audience understanding the underlying danger that Casey is in, but this line is still a shocking and chilling one to take the scene in a new direction.
