HBO/Paramount
Scream 7 star Anna Camp has walked back on a repost that celebrated the horror movie’s box office win amid negative critic reviews and attempts to boycott it, saying it “does not reflect my personal beliefs”.
Original Ghostface Matthew Lillard and the ultimate final girl Neve Campbell return to the horror franchise in Scream 7, which has no doubt contributed to its huge opening weekend haul at the box office.
The new movie made $64.1 million in North America – a franchise record – and a further $33.1 million internationally, bringing its global tally to $97.2 million. This already puts it in a comfortable position when compared with its $45 million budget.
What makes its success even more notable is the fact that there were widespread calls for Scream 7 to be boycotted after Melissa Barrera was fired from the film. There’s also the disappointing 33% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics, a contrast to the 78% audience score.
Anna Camp apologizes for Scream 7 repost
Instagram: Anna Camp
Over the weekend, Anna Camp – who plays Jessica Bowden in Scream 7 – reposted an Instagram Story that reads, “The boycotts didn’t work. The critics hate didn’t work. The pathetic leaks didn’t work. What worked was audiences coming out and making the film a success.”
The post was originally shared by the Scream With Ryan C. Showers podcast, who has criticized the boycott attempts and Rotten Tomatoes disparity. The account also retweeted a message highlighting Camp’s story, which featured the Taylor Swift song ‘Karma’.
However, following a loud backlash to the move, Camp has since taken it down and issued the following statement: “It has come to my attention that I reposted someone else’s story that does not reflect my personal beliefs.
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“I have since deleted the repost because I absolutely meant no harm. I’m sorry to anyone who was affected.”
It has come to my attention that I reposted someone else’s story that does not reflect my personal beliefs . I have since deleted the repost because I absolutely meant no harm. I’m sorry to anyone who was affected ♥️
— Anna Camp (@TheRealAnnaCamp) March 2, 2026
For the uninitiated, Scream 7 was originally due to follow on from the sixth installment, focusing on the Carpenter sisters played by Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. However, in late 2023, it was revealed that Barrera was fired due to comments she shared about the Israel-Palestine conflict.
In her posts, she expressed support for Palestine, compared the Gaza Strip to a “concentration camp”, and described Israel’s attack on the region as “genocide”. She also expressed, “Just like all Palestinians are NOT Hamas. All Jewish people are NOT the Israeli Govt.
“Do not blame, or hate on, a whole group of people because of what some are doing. I stand with all those caught in the crossfire. I pray for freedom and peace for you and your families.”
Paramount
Following her firing, she said in a statement, “I will continue to speak out for those that need it most and continue to advocate for peace and safety, for human rights and freedom. Silence is not an option for me.”
Shortly after, Ortega exited the film, while Scream directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett stepped away to shoot Abigail.
Swathes of fans criticized Barrera’s firing, with #BoycottScream7 seeing calls on social media to boycott the movie, alongside petitions and events supporting the movement.
Camp faces backlash after apology
When Camp originally reshared the post criticizing the movement, her Instagram page was inundated with angry comments.
View this post on Instagram
Although comments have either been restricted or switched off on many of her posts, a Mary Claire update featuring Camp remains open, with multiple fans sharing the spoiler related to her character.
“You’re so ignorant,” said another, while one added, “This weekend of all weekends – be at least a little bit curious about what is happening in the world.” There are also many replies featuring the Palestinian flag.
The conversation was similar over on Reddit, where one wrote, “Tis true if we only measure success by profit rather than quality or ethics, but Scream 7 was very clearly nothing more than a cash grab so this tracks.
“I try not to speak for the dead but I can’t imagine Wes Craven being anything but embarrassed for what this franchise has become.”
Her apology has sparked a busy discussion too, with one writing, “Wait what?!?! How exactly did she think that post came off? This is a crazy walk back. The repost photo starts with ‘the boycott didn’t work’ what did she think people were boycotting the movie for?”
“I don’t buy for one second that she didn’t know what that post meant,” said another. “Every single actor in that movie was absolutely PR trained and coached on how to answer questions about the controversy. Her playing all innocent is not believable at all.”
However, some fans did jump in to defend her, including this person who said, “Normally I wouldn’t believe this, but she gives off the vibe of someone who wouldn’t even know it was being boycotted, much less why. And probably wouldn’t understand if you told her lmao.”
Scream 7 is in cinemas now. You can also check out our ranking of the best horror movies of all time, our most anticipated 2026 horrors, and everything coming up with our 2026 movies release calendar.
