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Which 2000 parody film heavily spoofs popular horror movies of the late 1990s, most notably 'Scream' and 'I Know What You Did Last Summer,' as a group of teenagers are stalked by a masked killer?

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Scary Movie - movies illustration
Scary Movie — movies

The 2000 film that cleverly satirized the burgeoning slasher movie trend of the late 1990s, particularly the iconic "Scream" and "I Know What You Did Last Summer," saw a group of teenagers navigating the absurdity of being stalked by a masked killer. This horror parody, released on July 7, 2000, quickly became a defining example of the spoof genre, taking familiar cinematic tropes and exaggerating them for comedic effect. Its plot largely follows the narrative arcs of its primary targets, recreating key scenes with an over-the-top, often crude, sense of humor.

Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and co-written by Marlon and Shawn Wayans, who also starred in the film, the movie's comedic style blended slapstick, gross-out gags, and a rapid-fire succession of pop culture references that extended beyond just horror. It also parodied elements from films like "The Matrix," "The Sixth Sense," and "The Blair Witch Project," alongside various commercials and TV shows of the era. This approach resonated with audiences, making it a significant commercial success, grossing $278 million worldwide against a $19 million budget, and becoming the highest-grossing film in its franchise.

The film's impact was substantial, not only launching a successful series of sequels but also revitalizing the parody genre itself. It introduced a new generation to classic horror iconography through a comedic lens, often acting as a "gateway drug" for non-horror fans into the genre. Its self-aware humor and willingness to mock the conventions of scary movies cemented its place in popular culture, influencing subsequent parody films and even contemporary online humor.