Michael Jackson was happy to work with his sister again, explaining that as they still had a passion for dancing. It reminded him of "old times".
The music video shows an uncharacteristically darker, and angrier side of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson with the use of profanity both singers avoided in their earlier work.
Japanese science fiction anime was cited as an influence on the music video. Several clips of the Zillion anime series and the movie Akira can be seen in the background screens.
The Guinness World Records listed it as the most expensive music video ever made, at a cost of $7 million, although director Mark Romanek disputes the figure.
"Scream" received 11 MTV Video Music Award nominations, more than any other music video in MTV Video Music Award history.