As the franchise progressed, the motives became increasingly complex, often tied back to the original Woodsboro murders:

: Set in Hollywood during the production of Stab 3 , the killer is Roman Bridger , Maureen Prescott's secret first child. He reveals he was the "mastermind" who originally pushed Billy Loomis to kill Maureen.

The story of the franchise is a meta-fictional journey that revolutionized the horror genre by acknowledging and subverting traditional "slasher" tropes. Beginning in 1996, the series follows the life of Sidney Prescott (played by Neve Campbell) and her encounters with various killers who adopt the Ghostface persona. The Original Tragedy: Scream (1996)

List the for surviving a horror movie according to Randy Meeks? The Entire Scream Franchise Timeline Explained

: Fans Richie Kirsch and Amber Freeman commit murders to "save" the Stab film franchise by providing better source material.

The series begins in the fictional town of , California. High school student Casey Becker and her boyfriend are brutally murdered by a masked killer known as Ghostface. The investigation centers on Sidney Prescott, whose mother, Maureen, was raped and murdered exactly one year earlier.

: Set in New York City, the killers are revealed to be Richie’s family (his father and siblings), who seek vengeance against Sam for Richie's death.

: Taking place at Windsor College, the killers are revealed to be Mickey Altieri , a copycat seeking fame, and Mrs. Loomis (Billy’s mother), who is seeking revenge against Sidney for her son's death.