Courteney Cox returns as her iconic Scream character for Halloween 2024

TV and film star Courteney Cox dressed up as Gale Weathers and played with some puppies - while being surprised by a ghostface - in a hilarious Halloween update to fans

Courteney Cox has reprised her iconic character from Scream to get into the Halloween spirit this season.

The 60-year-old Hollywood star plays Gale Weathers in the long-running horror franchise - a role she has held down since the first film was released in 1996. For Halloween 2024, Courteney channelled the character for her festive costume - styling her hair into bangs and dressing in a garish purple suit.

Joined by two adorable dogs wearing classic Scream outfits, the TV and film star goofed around on camera for the amusement of fans before another human, dressed in a full sized outfit, surprised her from behind. Sharing footage on her Instagram feed, the American actress added a simple caption that stated: "Happy Halloween everyone!"

Friends co-star Jennifer Aniston was among those reacting to the post, writing in response: "Hahahahaha I can’t." While another fan typed: "happy halloween to the ultimate scream queen and best final girl!" The star has previously hinted she hated the bangs style of hair that she sports in the franchise. She told Drew Barrymore in 2022: “There was nothing worse. That was a big lesson in life because that will forever be on film."

Courteney will soon reprise the role for a seventh time in a forthcoming Scream sequel. Due to start filming in December, the next instalment in the popular franchise is being directed by original film screenwriter Kevin Williamson - who is also the mastermind behind iconic teen drama Dawson's Creek. Canadian actress Neve Campbell will also return to the franchise for the seventh instalment - having skipped the sixth one. The new film is expected to hit cinemas in February 2026.

Discussing her return, Courteney told the Inc. 5000 Conference in Palm Desert earlier this month: "I'm the longest-running Scream queen, so I guess I can't stop now."

Speaking of her own return, original hero Neve wrote online recently: “Sidney Prescott is coming back!!! It’s always been such a blast and an honor to get to play Sidney in the ‘Scream’ movies. My appreciation for these films and for what they have meant to me, has never waned. I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

The Canadian star did not feature in the 2023 instalment of the film franchise over a reported pay dispute. The film made over $160 million (£125 million) despite Neve's absence - but was one of the lower earning instalments of the film. The first and second have continued to be the biggest grossing films - with the first banking over $173 million (£134 million) and the second making $172 million (£133 million).

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