15 Iconic Ghostface Quotes

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.

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.

The Scream movies are unique in terms 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.

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.

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.

5 “I Never Said I Was In Your Closet.”

Talking To Kirby – Scream 4 (2011)

The Ghostface killer loves playing games with their victims, and Scream 4 has one of the most memorable reveals of these scenes. Stand-out character Kirby Reed gets her first interaction with the killer in this early scene. She doesn’t seem to be afraid even after the voice suggests he is hiding in the closet. She bravely flings open the closet doors after being told that he is hiding inside. However, no one is found. The line is delivered mockingly to the horror movie buff. At that moment, the friends realize that the killer is next door murdering the neighbor.

Not only does the line play with the audience’s expectations, but it also does so with the right character, who is acting the most as an audience surrogate. Kirby comes off as a tough hero who will fight back against Ghostface, but she is left helpless when she realizes that the killer’s taunts were meant to show her that she will not be able to save her friend.

4 “Strange That You And I Have Never Spoken On The Phone. This Is Long Overdue.”

To Gale – Scream 6 (2023)

Through the first five movies, Gale Weathers is a Scream franchise staple. She’s there to be blunt, say the things people don’t want to hear, and act as a foil for Sidney. By Scream 6, Sidney isn’t on screen bantering with Ghostface herself, but Gale is.

That’s a big step for the franchise. Even though Gale has been present for the carnage and her career has been built on the Woodsboro murders, she’s never talked to Ghostface. Gale has only ended up a target of Ghostface in the past because she was there, alongside Sidney or Dewey, and in the way. In Scream 6, alone in her apartment in New York, Gale is targeted for her connection to the history of the franchise for the first time, and the new Ghostface is more than ready to confront her.

3 “Hello, Sidney.”

Talking To Sidney – Scream (1996)

As the most iconic one-liner in Scream history, this quote packs a punch every time a fan hears it. Used in the trailers, including the Scream (2022) preview, it delivers a bone-chilling feeling that is associated with cult classic horror movies. Since Sidney has been the obsession of every Ghostface serial killer, it signifies to audience members that her plight is not yet over. The moment those words leave the killer’s mouth, things in the film are about to get very, very real.

Even though it is a new killer Sidney is dealing with, these phone calls and this line in particular always welcome the ultimate Final Girl back into the nightmare. Ghostface and the many copycat killers have become a reality that Sidney cannot escape and this is solidified with the news that Never Campbell will return as Ghostface in Scream 7. While it remains to be seen what that return will entail, fans will be eagerly awaiting this iconic line to be spoken again.

2 “What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie?”

Talking To Casey – Scream (1996)

This famous Ghostface quote sets up the entire premise of the Scream franchise, which is very into meta-textual storytelling. In the first call with Casey Becker, Ghostface’s iconic line simultaneously nods at previous horror movies while also making it clear that the characters are now in a scary movie. It’s an interesting sort of dichotomy that the franchise loves to play with. This also ties in with many of the parodies — such as Scary Movie — that follow after the success of Scream.

In the end, this is Ghostface’s most timeless quote, appearing in the sequels and being referenced throughout pop culture as a whole. It is also interesting to see how each movie tackles the question. Most memorably, when the franchise returned with Scream (2022), the question opened up a conversation about the trend of elevated horror, which shows how much horror has changed since the first Scream movie.

1 “Who Gives A F*** About The Movies?!”

Talking To Jason – Scream 6 (2023)

The opening scene of Scream 6 perfectly sets itself apart from those that followed and delivers something unexpected. The scene sees the typical opening murder of a big name (Samara Weaving), but instead of cutting to the title card, Ghostface removes his mask and the scene follows him as he goes about the rest of his day only to be targeted by another Ghostface and killed.

The scene goes further in spinning the usual formula on its head. As the horror movie obsessive Jason Carver lies bleeding at Ghostface’s feet, he laments not being able to finish his movie. Ghostface’s surprising line before killing Jason proves this is a new killer with new motivations. It was another surprise that the sequel threw into the opening, suggesting that the rules Scream has made for itself were now irrelevant and anything could happen. Scream 6 has managed to reinvigorate the franchise and provide even more iconic Ghostface quotes.