For ‘Scream’ fans, ‘Your Favorite Scary Movie’ by Ashley Cullins is a killer Halloween read

With Halloween around the corner, horror fans can revisit one of the genre’s most recognizable franchises through Ashley Cullins’ “Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Movies Rewrote the Rules of Horror,” a behind the scenes look at the films that changed the game. 

Published Aug. 19, 2025, by Plume the book became an instant New York Times bestseller. 

Cullins, an award winning entertainment journalist with more than a decade of experience, makes her debut as an author with an in-depth exploration of how a seemingly ordinary slasher film helped revitalize a dying horror genre in the 1990s. 

A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School, Cullins began her career in broadcast news before transitioning to print journalism. 

Her reporting background serves the book well, as it focuses on firsthand accounts and the people behind the franchise rather than simply retelling the film’s stories. 

“Your Favorite Scary Movie” follows the “Scream” franchise from its beginnings with screenwriter Kevin Williamson and director Wes Craven through its more recent installments, including “Scream 5,” “Scream 6” and “Scream 7.” The book examines the creative decisions, production challenges and studio controversies that shaped the series over the years. 

One of the biggest strengths is its collection of exclusive interviews and firsthand accounts from more than 80 people connected to the franchise. Stars Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich are among those featured, offering readers a closer look at the people who brought the films to life. 

The book also includes behind the scenes secrets and photographs, giving longtime fans additional insight on their favorite moments. Cullins explores the comedy and psychological terror that helped distinguish “Scream” from other horror films, allowing the audience to laugh and cry with the characters instead of simply reacting to the scares.

Another notable feature is Williamson’s opportunity to address longstanding rumors and fan theories. As the creator and screenwriter of  “Scream” and director of “Scream 7,” Williamson provides insight into the franchise’s history while helping set the record straight on questions that have followed the films. 

For readers who enjoy learning how movies come together, the book offers more than a collection of trivia questions. It highlights the creativity and decisions behind the franchise, making it appealing to fans interested in both the finished films and the work required to produce them. 

The audiobook adds another connection to the movies, narrated by Roger L. Jackson, the voice of the iconic killer Ghostface. Hearing the familiar voice guide listeners through the franchise makes the audiobook a fitting option for fans looking to revisit the series in a different format. 

With a 4.32 rating on Goodreads, “Your Favorite Scary Movie” has drawn strong reader interest. Its detailed history and extensive interviews make it especially worthwhile for dedicated “Scream” fans, particularly those eager to uncover the secrets behind the franchise.

As Halloween approaches, Cullin’s book makes an ideal companion for a “Scream” movie marathon. It offers fans a chance to look beyond the mast and appreciate the creativity, comedy and psychological terror behind the screams.