View source for Scary Movie 3

{{short description|2003 film by David Zucker}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Scary Movie 3
| image          = Scary-movie-3-poster-3.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[David Zucker]]
| producer       = [[Robert K. Weiss]]
| writer         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Craig Mazin]]
* [[Pat Proft]]
}}
| based_on       = {{based on|Characters|[[Shawn Wayans]]<br />[[Marlon Wayans]]<br />Buddy Johnson<br />Phil Beauman<br />[[Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer|Jason Friedberg]]<br />[[Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer|Aaron Seltzer]]}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Anna Faris]]
* [[Anthony Anderson]]
* [[Kevin Hart]]
* [[Leslie Nielsen]]
* [[Camryn Manheim]]
* [[Simon Rex]]
* [[George Carlin]]
* [[Queen Latifah]]
* [[Eddie Griffin]]
* [[Denise Richards]]
* [[Regina Hall]]
* [[Charlie Sheen]]
}}<!--DO NOT CHANGE THIS CAST! THIS IS HOW THEY ARE LISTED IN THE POSTER BILLING!-->
| music          = [[James L. Venable]]
| cinematography = [[Mark Irwin]]
| editing        = [[Jon Poll]]
| studio         = Brad Grey Pictures<ref name=afi>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/members/Catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=62891|title=Scary Movie 3|work=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]|access-date=2017-10-09|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010055513/http://www.afi.com/members/Catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=62891|url-status=live}}</ref>
| distributor    = [[Dimension Films]]<ref name=afi/>
| released       = {{Film date|2003|10|20|Los Angeles|2003|10|24|United States}}
| runtime        = 84 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 84:02--><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/scary-movie-3-2004-0 | title=''Scary Movie 3'' (15) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=November 14, 2003 | access-date=November 9, 2016 | archive-date=November 10, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110043535/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/scary-movie-3-2004-0 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| country        = United States<ref name=afi/>
| language       = English
| budget         = $48 million<ref name=mojo>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=scarymovie3.htm |title=Scary Movie 3 (2003) |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=2011-05-07 |archive-date=June 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624085003/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=scarymovie3.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| gross          = $220.6 million<ref name=mojo/>
}}
'''''Scary Movie 3''''' is a 2003 American [[parody film]] directed by [[David Zucker]]. It is the sequel to ''[[Scary Movie 2]]'' and is the third film in the [[Scary Movie (film series)|''Scary Movie'' film series]]. The film parodies the [[Horror film|horror]], [[Science fiction film|sci-fi]], and [[Mystery film|mystery]] genres.

The film stars [[Anna Faris]] and [[Regina Hall]] reprising their roles as Cindy Campbell and Brenda Meeks, respectively. New cast members include [[Charlie Sheen]], [[Simon Rex]], [[Anthony Anderson]], [[Kevin Hart]], and [[Leslie Nielsen]]. It is the first film in the series to feature no involvement from the [[Wayans family]]. The characters of Ray Wilkins and Shorty Meeks, previously played by [[Shawn Wayans|Shawn]] and [[Marlon Wayans]] respectively, do not appear, nor are they referenced.

The film's plot significantly parodies the films ''[[The Ring (2002 film)|The Ring]]'', ''[[Signs (2002 film)|Signs]]'', ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]'' and ''[[8 Mile (film)|8 Mile]].'' The film grossed $220.6 million worldwide, becoming the second highest-grossing film in the series. It is the last film in the series to be released by [[Miramax Films]] (under their then-subsidiary [[Dimension Films]]). 

It was named the [[2004 Teen Choice Awards]] in the category of ''Choice Movie: Your Parents Didn't Want You to See''. A sequel, ''[[Scary Movie 4]]'', was released in 2006.

== Plot ==
 <!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summary should be between 400 to 700 words. -->
Two women discuss a cursed videotape that kills anyone who watches it in seven days. Having both watched it, an unseen entity kills them. Meanwhile, on a farm outside [[Washington, D.C.]], widowed pastor Tom Logan and his brother George discover Tom's daughter Sue screaming in the middle of a crop circle.

Reporter [[Cindy Campbell]] discusses the crop circles on the news, but it is largely ignored. She cares for her nephew Cody, who has [[precognition]] powers. While picking him up from school, Cindy meets George who invites her and Brenda Meeks to a rap-battle. With support from his friends Mahalik and CJ, George beats [[Fat Joe]], but is thrown out after unintentionally wearing a [[Ku Klux Klan|pointy white hood]] and [[Nazi salute|waves]] to the largely [[African American]] crowd.

Brenda tells Cindy about the cursed videotape she watched and asks her to keep her company. After playing several pranks on Cindy, the girl from the tape, Tabitha, kills Brenda. George receives a phone call about Brenda's death, and Tom meets with Sayaman, who apologizes for killing Tom's wife in a car accident.

During Brenda's [[Wake (ceremony)|wake]], George and Mahalik wreak havoc in an unsuccessful attempt to revive her. Cindy finds the tape in Brenda's room, watches it, and receives a phone call warning her of her death in seven days. She calls George, CJ and Mahalik for help. CJ says his Aunt Shaneequa can help. Shaneequa discovers the hidden image of a [[lighthouse]], which can break the curse if Cindy finds it. When Cindy returns home, she finds Cody has watched the tape.

Desperate to save Cody, Cindy types a warning into the news anchor's [[teleprompter]] but her boss interrupts her and the anchor recites the wrong message. Meanwhile, the Logans encounter an alien disguised as [[Michael Jackson]], and U.S. president Baxter Harris personally visits the farm to investigate the crop circles.

Cindy visits the lighthouse, where she encounters The Architect. The loquacious old man explains Tabitha was his evil adopted daughter whom his wife drowned in the farm's well, but not before she imprinted her evil onto the [[VHS tape]]. He mistakenly returned it to [[Blockbuster LLC|Blockbuster]], mistaking it for ''[[Pootie Tang]]'', unleashing the curse. When Cindy asks about how this relates to the aliens, the Architect speculates that Tabitha is summoning them to aid her in destroying humanity.

Returning home, Cindy discovers Cody is missing, the news has been broadcasting the cursed tape for hours, and there have been various sightings of aliens around the world. She tracks Cody to the Logan farm, where he has taken refuge with George. Tom sends Cindy, Sue, and Cody into the basement for safety, as he, George and Mahalik go outside to fight the aliens with help from President Harris and the [[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]]. The aliens reveal they are friendly and have come to stop Tabitha after accidentally watching the tape on a broadcast they intercepted, also mistaking it for ''Pootie Tang''.

In the basement, Cindy recognizes the farm's cellar from the tape and she finds the well where Tabitha drowned. Tabitha appears and takes Cody hostage. Cindy and George appeal to her, offering her a place in their family. Tabitha falsely claims her curse is broken but as she attacks, President Harris opens a door and unintentionally knocks her into the well.

The aliens depart and Cindy and George get married. Leaving for their honeymoon, they realize they accidentally left Cody behind. After Cindy narrowly avoids hitting Cody at an intersection, another car strikes him.

== Cast ==
{{div col}}
* [[Anna Faris]] as [[Cindy Campbell]], based on Rachel Keller from ''[[The Ring (franchise)|The Ring]]'', previously based on [[Sidney Prescott]] from ''[[Scream (franchise)|Scream]]''
* [[Charlie Sheen]] as Tom Logan, based on Father Graham Hess from ''[[Signs (2002 film)|Signs]]''
* [[Regina Hall]] as Brenda Meeks
* [[Simon Rex]] as George Logan, based on Merrill Hess from ''Signs'' and Jimmy Smith a.k.a. ‘B-Rabbit’ from ''[[8 Mile (film)|8 Mile]]''
* [[Leslie Nielsen]] as President Baxter Harris
* [[Queen Latifah]] as Aunt Shaneequa/The Oracle, based on [[The Oracle (The Matrix)|The Oracle]] from ''[[The Matrix (franchise)|The Matrix]]''
* [[Anthony Anderson]] as Mahalik, based on David Porter a.k.a. ‘Future’ from ''8 Mile''
* [[Kevin Hart]] as CJ Iz
* [[Camryn Manheim]] as Trooper Champlin, based on Caroline Paski from ''Signs''
* [[George Carlin]] as The Architect, based on [[Architect (The Matrix)|The Architect]] from ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]''
* [[Eddie Griffin]] as Orpheus, based on  [[Morpheus (The Matrix)|Morpheus]] from ''The Matrix''
* [[Pamela Anderson]] as Becca Kotler
* [[Jenny McCarthy]] as Katie Embry
* [[Drew Mikuska]] as Cody Campbell, based on Aidan Keller from ''The Ring'' 
* [[Denise Richards]] as Annie Logan
* [[D. L. Hughley]] as John Wilson
* [[Ja Rule]] as Agent Thompson
* [[Darrell Hammond]] as Father Muldoon
* [[Jeremy Piven]] as Ross Giggins
* [[Timothy Stack|Tim Stack]] as Carson Ward
* [[Simon Cowell]] as himself
* [[Marny Eng]] as Tabitha, based on [[Sadako Yamamura]] from ''The Ring''
** Naomi Lawson-Baird as girl form of Tabitha
* [[Edward Moss (impersonator)|Edward Moss]] as [[Michael Jackson]] Alien
* [[Ajay Naidu]] as Sayaman, based on Ray Reddy from ''Signs''
* [[Tom Kenny]] and [[Derek Stephen Prince]]<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1512108882285322252|user=voiceoverprince|title=In 2003, Tom Kenny and I recorded these adorable aliens everyone remembers from #scarymovie3 We were never billed,…|date=April 7, 2022}}</ref> as the voice of the Aliens
* Jianna Ballard as Sue Logan, based on Bo Hess from ''Signs''

=== Rapper cameos ===
As well as in "The Rap Battle", several actual rappers assist in the confrontation with the aliens and a subsequent shootout amongst themselves.
* [[Master P]]
* [[Rza|RZA]]
* [[Raekwon]]
* [[Method Man]]
* [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]]
* [[Macy Gray]]
* [[U-God]]
* [[Fat Joe]]
{{div col end}}

== Production ==
On November 22, 2002, [[Dimension Films]] announced a third ''Scary Movie'' without the [[Wayans family|Wayans brothers]] (namely director [[Keenan Ivory Wayans]] and co-stars/co-writers [[Shawn Wayans]] and [[Marlon Wayans]]) returning, with [[David Zucker]] taking over as director. The movie was given the title ''Scary Movie 3: Episode I — Lord of the Brooms'', and the movie was supposed to spoof the [[Star Wars]], [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]] and [[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter]] franchises.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=November 22 |first1=Gary Susman Updated |last2=EST |first2=2002 at 05:00 AM |title=Dimension greenlights Wayans-free ''Scary Movie 3'' |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/11/22/dimension-greenlights-wayans-free-scary-movie-3/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=EW.com |language=en |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215193738/https://ew.com/article/2002/11/22/dimension-greenlights-wayans-free-scary-movie-3/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer]], who previously wrote an early draft for ''[[Scary Movie]]'' (2000), were set to write the movie. Zucker was going to shoot that script but eventually decided to not use it, instead using a new script written by [[Craig Mazin]] and [[Pat Proft]] that was more similar to the first two installments.<ref>{{Citation |title=The Epic Disastrous Unmade Works and Spoofs of Seltzer and Friedberg and their History - Groovy Jake | date=July 20, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLMr5zxyoBg |language=en |access-date=2022-12-15}}</ref>

Filming started on March 12, 2003 and wrapped on July 16, 2003. The movie was shot in [[British Columbia]] and in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{Citation |title=Scary Movie 3 (2003) - IMDb |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306047/locations |access-date=2022-12-15 |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215195316/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306047/locations |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Music ==
The score for the film was composed by [[James L. Venable]]. The original soundtrack was released on October 24, 2003, and features hip hop artists such as Buku Wise, Delinquent Habits, Dame Lee, Kebyar, and others.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Scary-Movie-3-Various-Artists/dp/B0000ZMGSY |title=Various Artists, James L. Venable: Scary Movie 3: Music |website=Amazon |access-date=2015-05-11 |archive-date=October 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011233012/https://www.amazon.com/Scary-Movie-3-Various-Artists/dp/B0000ZMGSY |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Frank Fitzpatrick]] served as music supervisor for the film and soundtrack. Jorge Corante produced and co-wrote the majority of original songs used for the feature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0280519/|title=Frank Fitzpatrick|website=IMDb|access-date=2016-10-11}}</ref>

== Release ==
=== Home media ===
==== Alternate scenes ====
The [[DVD]] edition includes a director's audio commentary, several deleted scenes and alternate endings (with optional commentary). A "3.5" special DVD was also released, and contained several more deleted scenes than the original DVD, with an unrated version of the film.

In the alternate ending, Cindy is told Cody does not exist by her psychiatrist (played by [[William Forsythe (actor)|William Forsythe]]). After hitting a few people in the face with a shovel, Cindy asks everybody who is not real to stand over at a different spot. Cody goes over there and is followed by [[Santa Claus]]. The aliens then begin to invade but George stops them by transforming into [[Hulk|The Hulk]]. President Harris tries to hulk out but ends up soiling his pants. Cindy enters the Logan House, where she is attacked by Tabitha. She is teleported away to Aunt Shaneequa, who teaches her how to defeat Tabitha. Cindy must then confront hundreds of Tabitha's. She wins the battle by performing moves from ''The Matrix'' and teleports back to the Logan House. The cast then gets into a car with the President, but are horrified to learn that the driver happens to be [[M. Night Shyamalan]].

One of the scenes that appeared on the Extended DVD named ''Scary Movie 3.5'' was part of the unrated feature. After Pamela Anderson and Jenny McCarthy shut off the TV, the two compliment each other on their good looks. Anderson then asks if McCarthy wants her "shaved pussy", but this turns out to be a furless kitten.

In an extended scene, the person who runs Cody down at the end is shown to be Michael Jackson.

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
''Scary Movie 3'' opened at the number one spot in the US, grossing $48.1 million in its opening weekend<ref name=mojo/> and $57.5 million for that week. In its second week, it grossed $24.7 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekly&id=scarymovie3.htm|title=Scary Movie 3: Weekly gross|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=2017-10-09|archive-date=October 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010054813/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekly&id=scarymovie3.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of its box office run, ''Scary Movie 3'' grossed $110 million in the US and $110.7 million internationally, making $220.7 million in total.<ref name=mojo/>

=== Critical response ===
''Scary Movie 3'' received a 35% rating on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] based on reviews from 129 critics, with an average rating of 4.8/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Though an improvement over the second ''Scary Movie'', the laughs are still inconsistent."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rottentomatoes.com/m/scary_movie_3/ |title=Scary Movie 3 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |date=October 24, 2003 |access-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-date=November 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120183909/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/scary_movie_3 |url-status=live }}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], it has a score of 49 out of 100 based on reviews from 27 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/scary-movie-3 |title=Scary Movie 3 at Metacritic |publisher=Metacritic.com |access-date=2012-01-16 |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620133350/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/scary-movie-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= SCARY MOVIE 3 (2003) B |work= [[CinemaScore]] |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= 2018-12-20 }}</ref>

{{Expand section|reason=reviews from individual critics|date=February 2022}}

== See also ==
* [[List of ghost films]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Mojo title}}

{{ScaryMovie}}
{{Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker}}
{{Craig Mazin}}
{{The Ring}}

[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s parody films]]
[[Category:2000s science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:2000s science fiction horror films]]
[[Category:2000s supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:2003 comedy horror films]]
[[Category:2003 films]]
[[Category:2003 science fiction films]]
[[Category:American comedy horror films]]
[[Category:American parody films]]
[[Category:American science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:American science fiction horror films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:American supernatural comedy films]]
[[Category:American supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:Buena Vista International films]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Michael Jackson]]
[[Category:Dimension Films films]]
[[Category:English-language comedy horror films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction horror films]]
[[Category:Films about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Films about fictional presidents of the United States]]
[[Category:Films about religion]]
[[Category:Films about television]]
[[Category:Films directed by David Zucker]]
[[Category:Films produced by Robert K. Weiss]]
[[Category:Films scored by James L. Venable]]
[[Category:Films set in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Films shot in Vancouver]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Craig Mazin]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Pat Proft]]
[[Category:Miramax films]]
[[Category:Parodies of horror]]
[[Category:The Ring (franchise)]]
[[Category:Scary Movie (film series)]]
[[Category:Supernatural science fiction films]]