10 Best Scooby-Doo Movies According to Rotten Tomatoes, Ranked (2025)

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! premiered all the way back in 1969, introducing characters who would define a corner of pop culture for decades. Everyone knows about those meddling kids and their silly mutt. And while Scooby-Doo has had multiple television shows, some better than others, he’s also had a litany of great films.

In 1987, the hilarious and classic Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers hit the airwaves as if it were just a longer episode of the current series. From there, Scooby-Doo would spin off into having fifty-five feature adaptations. The gang's adventures in these films are wide-ranging, from classic genre horror stories to team-ups with the likes of WWE and KISS. There are no stories more varied than Scooby-Doo and Mystery Inc.

10 Scooby’s Coolest Monster Is a Phantom-Dinosaur

Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur

Scooby-Doo and the gang have been on some wild adventures, often with weird plot ideas that add a layer of fresh excitement to the mystery. In Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur, Shaggy is hypnotized out of being a coward, and into an awesome action hero that saves the day multiple times. The gang has to deal with a dinosaur monster, something they’ve actually dealt with before. However, in this case, it’s a ghost dinosaur called the Phantosaur. The monster's design is epic, and it's incredible to watch it haunt the streets of its desert town. The mystery is typical in nature, but these exciting new elements freshen up the story in a whole new way.

Another new plot detail added to this film is Velma getting her own love interest. Voiced by Matthew Gray Gubler, Winsor is basically the male version of Velma, and the comedy and drama from this single-feature relationship really resonated off the screen. Their dynamic adds a fresh layer of character development to Velma, giving her a subplot that feels meaningful without detracting from the central mystery. Simply put, Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur is a Scooby-Doo film that feels epic. Its mystery is by the books, but its plot is surprisingly fresh and exciting. This is a stellar example of what modern Scooby-Doo films have to offer, blending classic tropes with new, engaging twists.

9 The Mystery Games Gets Magical While Squaring up Against a Griffin

Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo

Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo stands out as one of the most impressive modern entries in the Scooby-Doo franchise. The story takes the Mystery Inc. gang to a remote magic school, which is a perfect setting for spooky happenings. The animation style hearkens back to the original series with a darker, more atmospheric tone that fans of classic Scooby-Doo will love. The movie blends magic and mystery effortlessly, making for a thrilling adventure where the lines between illusion and reality blur. With clever twists and supernatural elements, Abracadabra-Doo brings the classic “whodunit” spirit of Scooby-Doo into a fresh and exciting context.

The characters in Abracadabra-Doo shine in this adventure, with strong moments of humor, friendship, and bravery that are quintessential to the Scooby-Doo formula. Velma's logical mind is put to the test in a world of magic, while Shaggy and Scooby bring their usual comic relief, even as danger looms around every corner. The film manages to capture the eerie, monster-filled ambiance of earlier Scooby-Doo mysteries while adding layers of charm and suspense. It’s a fun balance between the lighthearted and the dark, making it an exciting movie for both old fans and new audiences alike.

8 The Past Comes Back to Haunt Scooby & the Gang

Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy

On its surface, Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy seems like an oddball among classic mysteries. In the film, the gang goes to a creepy castle in the middle of nowhere (apparently given to Velma by a great ancestor) only to find themselves living out their worst nightmares. Velma slowly becomes unhinged, creating a Frankenstein’s monster-like creature that walks the countryside. This film doesn’t initially follow any of the hallmark tropes of a great Scooby-Doo mystery. There are no real suspects, no clues that make any sense, and really no obvious mystery. In the first half of this movie, nothing feels like a classic Scooby-Doo story. However, when more evidence comes to light, and the pieces of this confusing puzzle finally start to come together, the story takes a turn into a terrifying epic.

Scooby-Doo has had a long history starting in the late 60s, and many of its original episodes are still important moments in pop culture that fans remember today. Such classic villains and creepy creatures were subjects of their own episodes in the original Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! series. The pirate Ghost of Redbeard, Old Iron Face, a zombie and the most popular Phantom Shadows all made their first appearances in these initial seasons. The twist of this film is that the culprits who were caught in those episodes have returned for revenge. A mystery revolving around the revenge of a former culprit is actually not new to the gang, but it is new as a feature, and in such an epic adventure too. Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy lulls its audience into a false sense of security, then pulls the run out from under to reveal an epic and mysterious tale.

7 Tim Curry Is Scooby’s Most Epic Villain

Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost

Encountering witches is nothing new for Scooby-Doo. However, it is in Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost, as this time the monster is real. This film follows the widely popular classic, Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, and follows the trend of creating an intricate and interesting mystery surrounding the trope reversal that the monsters are real. The film's eerie story and excellent animation provide a haunting landscape to watch and enjoy. Audiences remember this film fondly for its scary and exciting Halloween atmosphere. Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost is an incredible film and an exciting mystery for a lot of reasons. Chief among them is Tim Curry’s epic voice performance as what is revealed to be the villain.

Tim Curry is a staple of the horror film genre, playing memorably classic characters like Pennywise in the It miniseries and Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show. Curry’s voice performance and premium acting ability provide an extra sense of importance and prestige to this film. At this time in the franchise, Scooby-Doo was a very well-known and beloved character, so adding Tim Curry to the mix only strengthened the franchise further. Along with Tim Curry’s inclusion, the film also introduces three characters longtime fans have adored for decades. The Hex Girls, a musical girl group of goth rock stars, make their debut in this movie. To top it off, the mystery focuses on the delightfully creepy idea of a witch’s ghost coming back to haunt the town of Salem. It’s a frighteningly great time for the Halloween season that the whole family can enjoy.

6 Scooby Finally Takes on a Slasher

Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare

Audiences often forget that Scooby-Doo can technically be categorized in the horror genre. And one area the series had never delved into before Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare was the slasher subgenre. This makes sense, as it’d be practically impossible to get away with anything that makes a great slasher in a kids' film. However, Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare finds out how to accomplish this. Not only is this film a scary-good time for the whole family, but it features a slasher prominently as the main villain. The Woodsman feels inspired by all of the best slashers, specifically Jason Voorhees, due to his menacing aura and excellent disheveled, zombie-like design. He's fit with an ax that gets dangerously close to Scooby on multiple ill-fated nights.

The mystery of the film is also exciting. Suddenly in charge of a group of campers, the gang tries to revive Fred’s favorite old camp. As the story and the mystery unfold, it's revealed that the gang has found themselves in some massive conspiracy involving an underwater ghost town and an escaped convict pretending to be a child. The plot is wild, but it works perfectly in a decades-old franchise starring a talking mutt. Plus, the villain of the film is voiced by the incredible Mark Hamill. This film easily emulates all the hallmarks and tropes of what makes a slasher movie so fun to watch. Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare appreciates and celebrates a genre that the series had stayed away from for a long time.

5 Many Phantoms Haunt Scooby & the Gang

Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright

The Phantom of the Opera is one of horror’s oldest monsters, haunting film and television with his adaptable presence for generations. It was only right that a retelling would take place within the Scooby-Doo universe. In this film, a phantom haunts a talent TV show, and Mystery Inc. is tasked with solving the fiendish mystery. The Phantom’s design is excellent, fit with a classical outfit perfect for a haunted house, a voice that bellows like any great Phantom of a theater, and a green skull face that sends shivers down the audience’s spine. The monster is just as great as the mystery, as the gang reveals many crimes, everything from cheating to an ultimate jewel heist.

On top of that, as the story unravels, it’s revealed that the gang isn’t simply up against one phantom. There’s not one, not two, but five different phantoms running around the theater. One is similar to the classic Phantom of the Opera story, where a nice gentleman has lived under the theater for decades. The other four, however, did have criminal intentions, all thwarted by the classic mystery-solving meddling kids. This case wasn’t the only thing selling fans on this film, as the story also delves into the longtime will-they-won’t-they relationship between Fred and Daphne. And although the conclusion is left up in the air by the time the story wraps up, fans agree that Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright is still an excellent addition to the gang’s filmography.

4 Scooby Fights a Vampire in His First Musical

Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire

Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire brings a fresh new, exciting musical twist to the beloved formula, making it a truly unique installment in the franchise. Set in a quirky vampire festival, the gang finds themselves knee-deep in what seems to be an actual vampire plot. The songs are catchy and unexpected, adding a theatrical energy that enhances the film's charm. With a fun mix of horror-comedy, the movie explores the group’s usual skepticism of the supernatural, only to have them face a series of strange and seemingly unexplainable events. The vampiric themes give the story an extra layer of intrigue and atmosphere.

The real magic of Music of the Vampire comes from its ability to blend a musical format with mystery-solving, without compromising the core of what makes Scooby-Doo great. While the addition of songs might seem like a gamble, they actually serve to elevate the stakes and emotional beats of the story. The humor, horror, and heartfelt moments are still intact, and the movie even offers up some delightful character moments, especially between Scooby and Shaggy. It's a fresh, fun adventure that doesn’t shy away from embracing the campy and spooky elements that have always made Scooby-Doo such an enduring franchise.

3 The Mystery Gang Goes up Against a Werewolf

Big Top Scooby-Doo!

Big Top Scooby-Doo! takes the Mystery Inc. gang under the big top as they investigate a series of jewel heists linked to werewolves at a traveling circus. The circus setting adds a colorful and exciting backdrop to the story, filled with acrobats, clowns, and carnival rides, making it one of the most visually fun Scooby-Doo films. As always, the gang has to figure out whether the werewolves are real or just another clever villain in disguise, but the circus environment allows for new types of antics, slapstick humor, and thrilling chases that keep the energy high. The combination of mystery, supernatural elements, and the vibrant circus setting makes Big Top Scooby-Doo! a unique and captivating adventure.

One of the highlights of the movie is how each member of Mystery Inc. gets to shine while immersing themselves in circus life. From Daphne’s impressive acrobatics to Shaggy and Scooby hilariously attempting to blend in with the performers, the film lets the characters have fun in their new roles while still delivering a solid mystery. The plot is well-paced, with a mix of intrigue, laughs, and action that keeps the audience engaged. The circus theme adds an element of wonder and spectacle, making Big Top Scooby-Doo! a refreshing and entertaining addition to the modern lineup of Scooby-Doo films.

2 Scooby Becomes a Hero in Mask of the Blue Falcon

Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon

Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon isn’t just a fun, classic Scooby-Doo mystery that dives into the subject of superhero media, but also lovingly pays tribute to one of the genre’s oldest and most important heroes. In the film, and in the wider universe, Shaggy and Scooby are huge fans of superheroes. And while teaming with these heroes is nothing new for the gang, as they’ve teamed up with Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman and even Krypto, this movie has them meeting the Blue Falcon. He’s the equivalent of Batman in this universe, and that’s made all the more clear when the character gets his own gritty remake starring a new lead. This movie takes a satirical look at the current state of blockbuster films and how reboots are created based on the original properties.

The Blue Falcon had his most notable appearance in 2020’s Scoob!, played by Mark Wahlberg. However, Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon is probably the character’s best appearance, as playing the original Blue Falcon is none other than the late, great Adam West. Adam West is best known for his role as the Caped Crusader of the 60’s, playing the delightful and fun Batman in the Batman series. Adam West is the reason why the character is so big to begin with, giving Batman the popularity and the notoriety to inspire generations of superhero fans to this day. Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon is not only a great and entertaining Scooby-Doo adventure but also a film that appreciates and admires what makes superheroes super. This is mostly thanks to a brilliant voice performance by the former Dark Knight.

1 Zombie Island Is Scooby-Doo’s Most Terrifying Mystery Yet

Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island

Fondly remembered as the best Scooby-Doo movie ever, Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island is not only the audience favorite, but also what the audience considers to be the scariest. This film puts Mystery Inc. in a situation they’ve never faced before, which is where the monsters are real. There are real zombies rising from the dead all over a spooky island filled with creepy characters. The monsters aren’t the only part of the Scooby-Doo formula being maximized for this cinematic addition, as the whole gang has evolved into adulthood so they each have real adult problems. This story is aided by being incredibly animated, searing iconic frames into fans’ minds for decades. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island is the perfect next step in the series mythos, raising the bar for quality forever.

Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island exemplifies everything that is great about the Scooby-Doo series. Created with brilliant animation and incredible detail in every frame, the story sees the Mystery Gang reuniting after breaking up for a time and coming back together to investigate what they think is another crime. Instead, it’s quickly revealed that this is no ordinary Scooby-Doo mystery, as the monsters of this week, zombies, are actually real. From there, a plot of deception, murder, curses, and even were-cat people come to light. It’s a horrifying film perfect for the whole family, and perfect for Scooby-Doo fans.

Scooby-Doo On Zombie Island

TV-G

Animation

Adventure

Comedy

The Mystery Gang reunite and visit Moonscar Island, a remote island with a dark secret. Daphne wants more than just a villain in a costume, and they get more than they ever expected.

Director

Jim Stenstrum

Release Date

September 22, 1998

Cast

Scott Innes , Billy West , Mary Kay Bergman , Frank Welker , B.J. Ward , Adrienne Barbeau , Tara Strong , Cam Clarke

Writers

Glenn Leopold , Davis Doi , William Hanna , Joseph Barbera

Runtime

77 Minutes

Main Genre

Animation

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