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Scary Movie 3 (2003)

84 min · Modern-Day Fantasy, Parodie, Silly Movie, alien invasion, comedy horror, ghost film, parody film, science fiction film, supernatural, thriller film

Popularity5/5
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12-month trend

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137k02025-09: 43,279 views2025-10: 55,924 views2025-11: 33,300 views2025-12: 22,355 views2026-01: 29,543 views2026-02: 39,291 views2026-03: 126,046 views2026-04: 37,815 views2026-05: 52,356 views2026-06: 137,496 views2026-07: 36,720 views2026-08: 28,053 views
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2025-09 to 2026-08

A reporter and her friend must navigate a cursed videotape and an alien invasion while trying to stop a malevolent spirit.

The story

After high schoolers are killed by a cursed videotape, a local reporter named Cindy Campbell finds herself caught in a bizarre series of events. While covering a strange crop circle phenomenon near Washington, D.C., she teams up with a group of locals to investigate the mystery. As the situation escalates, the group must deal with the consequences of the cursed tape while navigating a landscape of escalating absurdity and supernatural occurrences. Cindy must navigate the growing chaos to protect her young nephew and uncover the truth behind the tape's power before it is too late.

Full plot (contains spoilers)

After two students are killed by a cursed videotape, reporter Cindy Campbell investigates a crop circle phenomenon in Washington, D.C. She teams up with George, Mahalik, and CJ to find a way to break the curse. Meanwhile, the local area is plagued by extraterrestrial activity. Cindy eventually discovers the truth about the tape's creator, the Architect, and his daughter, the spirit Tabitha. As the tape is broadcast on live television, a global alien presence is revealed. Cindy and George eventually marry, but the film ends with a tragic accident involving Cindy's nephew, Cody, who is left behind during their departure.

First release year
2003
Runtime (minutes)
84
Production countries
United States
Original languages
English
Directors
David Zucker
Writers
Craig Mazin · writer; Pat Proft · writer
Cast and characters
Anna Faris · Cindy Campbell; Anthony Anderson · Mahalik; Leslie Nielsen · President Baxter Harris; Camryn Manheim · Trooper Champlin; Simon Rex · George Logan; Kevin Hart · CJ Iz; Queen Latifah · Aunt Shaneequa/The Oracle; Eddie Griffin · Orpheus; Denise Richards · Annie Logan; Regina Hall · Brenda Meeks; Charlie Sheen · Tom Logan
Genres
parody; horror; science fiction; mystery
Themes
parody; supernatural
Tone and mood
comedy; absurd
Premise and plot tags
parody; horror; sci-fi; mystery
Content notes
crude humor
Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics, but was noted for its high box office performance.
Reported review scores
Metacritic · score: 49 · scale: 100 · review count: 27
Awards and nominations
Choice Movie: Your Parents Didn't Want You to See · Teen Choice Awards · 2004 · win
Production trivia
The film is the first in the series without the involvement of the Wayans family.; The script was originally intended to parody Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter.; The film was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Catalogue themes and tags

2000s, Angry Kid, Backslide, Cellar, Crop Circles, Ex-Priest, Farm, Female Journalist, Fountain, Hardened smoker, Kick in the Balls, Kotzen, Lighthouse, Maisfelder, Marsmenschen, Obsequies, Oval Office, Passing Wind, Poltergeist, PotUS, Rap Battle, Rapper, Report, Videoband, Washington D.C., White House, severed head, Parody, Horror, Absurdism, Gross-out film, Horror Comedy, Comedy, Gross out, Teen, Slapstick

Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.

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