Intro:
When it comes to family friendly monster hunts and spooky mysteries, only one name comes to mind this halloween season, and that name is Scooby-Doo! With the latest release in the Scooby-Doo franchise, Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!, I decided that I could create a list of the best Scooby-Doo animated features to watch around Halloween to get you and the family in the mood this spooky season.
Whether you watch all or just one of these films listed on this page, these particular picks are my top choices from the library of Scooby-Doo animated movies that you and your family should watch during the spooky Halloween season. The list is in no particular order, it’s not worst to best or vice versa. They are simply the best of the best when it comes to feeling like a Halloween flick for all the family.
Oh and before I forget; whilst I won’t be listing specifics as certain releases vary on what Special Features are included, a lot of these DVD releases include bonus episodes on the discs, so keep an eye out for those if you buy these products physically.
1. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island
Plot:
The Mystery Inc. Gang have grown bored of their jobs because monsters always turn out to be nothing more than people in masks and kooky costumes. Fred and Daphne begin their own successful television series, and for Daphne’s birthday, Fred decides to bring the gang back together as they take their show on the road investigating spooky tales, but as always, the ghouls and ghosts are fake.
Although fed up after a long journey, they accept an invitation to Moonscar Island, allegedly haunted by the pirate captain known as Morgan Moonscar. As their investigation gets underway, they begin to believe that something feels very different about this case. Things feel much less…fake.
Why it’s on the list:
Zombie Island is one of the all time classics in the Scooby-Doo animated film franchise. Ask any Scooby-Doo fan to list their top 5, maybe even top 3 Scooby-Doo animated films and this will no doubt be on the list because it’s the real deal when it comes to monsters. The zombies are real and the villains are dark and creepy! It’s a perfect flick for the spooky season!
You can read my full review for this film here: https://mediamallrat.com/2022/01/28/scooby-doo-on-zombie-island-dvd-review/
2. Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School
Plot:
Scooby, Shaggy and Scrappy are hired as the new Gym teachers at Miss Grimwood’s Finishing School for Girls…or at least that’s what they thought the school was called. It’s actual name, is Miss Grimwood’s Finishing School for Ghouls, and it’s students just happen to be the daughters of the world’s most famous monsters, such as Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Wolf-Man and the Mummy.
Of course, Scooby and Shaggy’s first instinct is to run away in terror, but when the girl-ghouls are kidnapped by the evil Revolta, the pair of heroes spring into action to rescue them.
Why it’s on the list:
Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School is one of the more old school features on this list. You’ll notice a certain lack of Mystery Inc. in this film, by which I mean there’s no Fred, Daphne, Velma or even a Mystery Machine. The feature was originally released in 1988 as part of the Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10 series of TV-Movies. However, even without the rest of the gang, this film has classic monsters and a fun story to boot. There are the usual Scooby-Doo tropes to keep you entertained throughout, mixed in with the girl-ghouls to give that perfect halloween vibe.
You can read my full review for this film here: https://mediamallrat.com/2022/01/29/scooby-doo-and-the-ghoul-school/
3. Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost
Plot:
The gang meet one of Velma’s favourite authors, Ben Ravencroft, who invites them to New England for his hometown’s big Autumn Harvest Festival. The town is of course being haunted, by Ben’s ancestor Sarah Ravencroft, who some believe to be a good-hearted healer, whilst others believe her to be a witch. Mysteries will be solved and secrets revealed as the gang tackles the case, facing off against mummies and even monster turkeys. On top of all that, they meet a mysterious rock band called The Hex Girls consisting of three eco-goths, who are also mistaken for witches.
Why it’s on the list:
Another fan favourite in the franchise, mostly because of the core-nostalgic memory of the eco-goth girls themselves, The Hex Girls! The film is also one of the classics to feature “real monsters” behind the mystery, which is always a fun thing within the Scooby-Doo universe as it always throws off Velma’s sense of logic.
Billy Ray Cyrus sings the Scooby-Doo theme song, and the rest of the films soundtrack is performed by The Hex Girls themselves, with the voice talents of Jennifer Hale (lead vocals and guitar, as Thorn), Jane Wiedlin (drums and back-up singer, as Dusk) and Kimberly Brooks (keyboard and back-up singer, as Luna). Be warned…the songs will stick with you!
4. Scooby-Doo! and the Goblin King
Plot:
After getting kicked out of a Halloween festival for ruining a magicians show, the magician discovers new-found power when he stumbles upon real fairy magic and vows revenge upon Shaggy, Scooby and the Mystery Inc. gang.
Shaggy and Scooby must go on a journey to obtain the powerful magic sceptre that belongs to the Goblin King, before the strike of midnight in order to save themselves and their friends from total destruction. On their quest they meet a whole cast of kooky characters such as the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, a helpful Jack O’Lantern and a broomstick that loves to fly.
Why it’s on the list:
Beside’s the fact that it’s set on Halloween, as three of the films on this list are, this particular film has a fantastic cast behind the voices of all the kooky characters. Wayne Knight, Wallace Shawn, Hayden Panettiere, Jim Belushi, Jay Leno and Tim Curry are all providing their magnificent voice talents to the film, but if that’s not enough to convince you then the fact it’s set on Halloween should, and the fact that in my opinion it’s one of the better Scooby-Doo films in general.
5. Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy
Plot:
Velma receives an inheritance letter from her great-great-uncle, which passes down to her his creepy castle in the terrifying town of Transylvania. The gang discover that Velma’s great-great-uncle was a scientist who supposedly created a monster. When the Mystery Machine is destroyed, the gang has no choice but to investigate the case of the creepy castle, in which they will uncover secrets about Velma’s family history, including the fact that her real surname isn’t Dinkly, it’s Dinkenstein, and Dr. Von Dinkenstein may still be haunting the castle!
Why it’s on the list:
Does the title not give off enough Halloween vibes? If the answer is no then you need to rethink your idea of Halloween, but that aside, this film offers classic Frankenstein aesthetics in typical Scooby-Doo fashion. A fun story that provides new character developments that you don’t normally see in Scooby-Doo features, such as Velma becoming a mad scientist just like her ancestor.
6. Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo!
Plot:
Crystal Cove’s Halloween of Horrors Parade is the next target for the Haunted Scarecrow to attack, so who better to join the parade in a covert operation, than the Mystery Inc. Gang!
Unmasking the Haunted Scarecrow was just the first step though, as the neighbouring pumpkin patch becomes tainted with toxic ooze that brings the pumpkins to life as flying Jack O’Lanterns, with one large monstrous leader that squashes everything in it’s path. When questioned, Dr. Jonathan Crane…yes, DC comics’ Scarecrow is the Haunted Scarecrow…he finds a way to cause Velma to believe she missed something in her case-cracking theory.
Can Scooby and the Gang crack the case for good? If they can, they’ll need the help of their friends, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark!
Why it’s on the list:
A crossover film of epic proportions! Elvira, Bill Nye and DC’s Scarecrow all in one film starring the Scooby Gang? This film is Halloween wrapped up with all the treats, and a new state of the art Mystery Machine that some love more than others. It also offers an insight into Velma’s thought process when solving mysteries.
7. Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!
Plot:
Another Halloween, another mystery to solve. This time, Mystery Inc. has cracked it’s biggest case yet, having tracked down Coco Diablo, the head of the notorious costumed crime syndicate. The costumed crime syndicate are behind the gangs most classic monsters such as the Black Knight, Space Kook and Ghost Diver to mention but a few. However, the life of the gang becomes boring, when all the monsters are no longer in business.
A year later, and Fred is going stir crazy without a mystery to solve, but all of that changes when a new monster appears, along with a gang of doppelganger ghosts that look like spooky versions of our heroes. The gang springs back into action, but must work with Coco Diablo in order to crack the case and solve the mystery in time for Scooby and Shaggy to return to their favourite holiday pass-time, trick or treating.
Why it’s on the list:
Another classic Scooby-Doo mystery set on Halloween itself, so of course it’s on the list of Halloween films in the Scooby-Doo franchise. At the time of writing this article, Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! is the newest animated film in the franchise having been released on DVD just a few days before writing this.
For a film released in 2022, this features the more classic 2D animation style of 2019’s Scooby-Doo! and Guess Who?. This newest feature also brings to life a more progressive turn for Velma Dinkly, who is portrayed as having a crush on the villainess Coco, which comes into accordance with a long-held fan theory that Velma is either lesbian or bisexual. This element of the feature even made headlines across the internet as a progressive step forward for animated characters representing the LGBTQ+ community.
8. Lego Scooby-Doo! Haunted Hollywood
Plot:
After cracking the case of the Fishman at the lighthouse, Scooby and Shaggy work up an appetite from being the live bait again and accidentally win an eating competition. Their prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to tour the famous Brickton Studios in Hollywood, home of the most classic horror films ever created.
In typical Scooby-Doo fashion, a vacation for these guys turns into another mystery to solve, as the monsters from these famous horror flicks seem to be coming to life and haunting the studio sets! It’s up to Scooby and the gang to solve the mystery and save the Studio from being torn down and turned into parking lots!
Why it’s on the list:
When it comes to silly humour for all the family, nothing beats a crossover combination of both Lego and Scooby-Doo. Both of these companies merge perfectly together to create a fun film for all ages to enjoy, bringing the classic Scooby-Doo laughter and spooky (but not scary) situations, together with Lego’s highly enjoyable humour of their brick making empire, with witty puns about literally building things brick by brick, or even the fact that characters can pull themselves apart, be it their hairstyles or their actual heads. It’s an easy to watch, all-round fun time for all ages, because with Lego, nothing is too scary when it appears on the screen. Adults have plenty to enjoy too, as with most animated features, because there are references to real life characters such as Drella Diabolique who is a clear reference to Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, as well as Boris Karnak which is a reference to Universal Monster movie star Boris Karloff.
With monsters such as the Headless Horseman, a Zombie, and the Mummy, this Lego Scooby-Doo adventure is a great Halloween treat for the kids and a fun watch for the adult fans, at any time of year really, and if you want more Lego Scooby-Doo fun, there is another feature out on DVD called Lego Scooby-Doo! Blowout Beach Bash. (review coming soon)
BONUS:
Well I hope you enjoyed my list but it’s not over just yet. Whilst I stuck to the animated features within the Scooby-Doo franchise, there is at least one live-action film that has all the spooky vibes and classic mystery solving, to keep you and the kids entertained this Halloween. I am of course talking about…
8. Scooby-Doo (2002)
Plot:
The Mystery Inc. Gang have solved the mystery of the Luna Ghost, but friction between the heroes has risen for far to long, with Daphne growing tired of being captured all the time, Velma feeling like Fred takes all the credit for her plans, and Fred being a glory hog and forever wanting to prove himself as a leader. The gang disband and go their separate ways, leaving Scooby and Shaggy as the only members to stick together. However, after two years apart, each member of Mystery Inc. is invited to Spooky Island a getaway island resort and theme park, where there have been some strange goings-on such as guests appearing to be brainwashed by someone, or something.
The island resort’s owner, Emile Mondavarious hires the Mystery Inc. team to solve the case together, but each member having been disbanded for two years, tries their best to solve the mystery on their own, leading to more trouble. Can Shaggy and Scooby help bring the gang back together and work as a team just like the good old days? And who or what is brainwashing the guests of Spooky Island?
Why it’s on the list:
Whilst some of the CGI doesn’t hold up quite as well since this was released in 2002, the film is still the best live-action adaptation of Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang, packed with performances and portrayals of big name stars such as Sarah Michelle Geller (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Freddy Prinze Jr. ( I Know What You Did Last Summer), Linda Cardellini (Freaks and Geeks), Matthew Lillard (Scream) and Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) just to name the main cast. It’s a huge part of my childhood and one that many fans agree is a blast from the past because it has everything a live-action Scooby-Doo film needed and as you grow older you begin to love it even more as you pick up on the more adult humour of the film, such as Shaggy claiming that ‘Mary Jane’ is his favourite name in the whole world, leaning into the long-held belief that Shaggy is a stoner.
It’s fun, it’s kooky, it’s got mystery and action. What more could you possibly need from a Scooby-Doo film!?
All of these films and more are available from the official Warner Bros. Shop online, just click the link below!
Media Mallrat 
Leave a Reply