If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Matthew Lillard hasn’t seen Scream in 20 years and doesn’t even like horror movies

Matthew Lillard admitted that his knowledge of Scream isn't as sharp as fans' at GalaxyCon 2025

An image of Matthew Lillard in Scream — Image credit: Miramax

News by Jules Chin Greene, Staff Writer

Published on Wed Sep 24 2025

Popverse's top stories

Critical Role's Matt Mercer teases Campaign 4's new setting of Aramán - and how it differs from Exandria
What to Watch October 2025: Halloween is just around the corner, and Netflix's Monster: The Ed Gein Story, Prime Video's Hazbin Hotel, and HBO's IT: Welcome to Derry are just a few ways to stream and scream
Helluva Boss changed the way the industry saw me, says Sallie May actor Morgana Ignis

God forbid a man have hobbies, and for Matthew Lillard, that is not watching horror movies. Including his own appearance in the first Scream film, directed by Wes Craven.

At GalaxyCon 2025's Scream Q&A, Lillard, who played Stu in the film, admitted that he hasn't watched Scream in a long, long time. When asked by a fan if a move he did in the Five Nights at Freddy's movie was a reference to his Scream role, Lillard said, "Just for the record, I haven't seen Scream in 20 years. So it's not like I go, 'Oh yeah, remember that thing?' I'm not that smart." Later on in the Q&A, he admitted, "I don't like horror movies."

Lillard's aversion to horror movies is interesting, considering that he's worked with horror heavyweights like David Lynch (Mulholland Drive is a freaking terrifying movie, guys!), Mike Flanagan, Wes Craven, and James Gunn. But I get it, horror movies aren't for everyone! Lillard's role in Mike Flanagan's The Life of Chuck, an adaptation of a Stephen King story, wasn't scary at all. He's got range as an actor, even if he himself doesn't love being scared at the movies.

That said, Lillard will be rejoining the Scream franchise in the series' seventh film, as it was announced earlier this year.

In the immortal words of Danny Elfman, "Life's no fun without a good scare." Join Popverse's weekly explorations of the best opening moments of horror cinema in The Coldest Open, and then check out:

And much gore. Er, more. Much more.

Follow Popverse for upcoming event coverage and news

Jules Chin Greene: Jules Chin Greene is a journalist and Jack Kirby enthusiast. He has written about comics, video games, movies, and television for sites such as Nerdist, AIPT, and Multiverse of Color.