1 Scooby-Doo!: Mystery Incorporated (2010-2013) original Cartoon Network promotion. My personal favorite serialized adaption.
Just last year, in 2023 alone, the latest film installment in a long running franchise drops within MONTHS of a serialized adaptation following a fan-favorite character through a never before seen lens. This is a sign of a flourishing franchise in peak: sequels, spin offs, and an ever growing fanbase; reminiscent of the craze for the boy wizard series in the late 2000s, the crave for Disney in the mid 2010’s, and the crippling BOOM of superheroes in the late 2010’s. All of these money makers are packed to the brim with franchise installments; spin-off films, spin-off television shows, merchandise, video games, books, comic books, and hours and hours of video essays/podcasts/reels/etc delving into the subtextual meat at each of their beloved cores. And yet, Scooby-Doo and his mystery solving, bisexual, pot smoking best friends are often counted out among these mega fictional monoliths. And yet, the mystery gang has just dropped their THIRTY EIGHTH (38) film, a sequel and annually recurring/established franchise since ‘98 with the iconic Zombie Island starting it all, in addition to their FOURTEENTH (14) serialized adaptation dating all the way back to…stay with me here…the original conceptualization in…1969!!!!!! A fifty-five (55) old dog and his Woodstock attending, sexually fluid, munchies craving, and, most importantly of all, mystery OBSESSED fifty five year old eternal teenagers. Touring the paranormal world, busting capitalists, and solving mysteries for fifty five years and counting. And yet, somehow, Mystery Incorporated is just getting started!
2Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969): What a Night for a Knight. Season 1, episode 1.
I’m not gonna dwell tooooooo long because if you clicked on this article, I’m assuming you already know who Scooby Doobert-Doo and his pals are! But, for those who might not, REAL quick: Scooby-Doo! Where Are You! premiered in 1969 on CBS. Produced by Hanna-Barbera and initially conceived as an Archie Comics knock off, the band-schtick was dropped in favor of mystery solving and a hint of the paranormal! Following four soon to be world famous friends: leader/master trapper Fred, hot girl and fan favorite Daphne, smartypants and mystery solver extraordinaire Velma, and lovable stoner Shaggy, accompanied by their even more famous, good pal, and dog, Scooby-Doo, for comedic relief! These friends and their pet, known by many names such as Mystery Inc, “those meddling kids”, or, just simply, “the gang”, have traveled the world for fifty five years now in their psychedelic van, thwarting greedy capitalists, and, occasionally, having run-ins with the more supernatural sides of life. ALWAYS hungry for a good treat and craving an even better mystery.
3 Scooby-Doo & Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2018). A look at our gang from 2010-current, with the exception of the BEAUTIFUL art style of Trick or Treat (2022). More on that adaption in a separate article!
Our “gang” has taken many different forms over the years: some without the teens, some animated, some live action, some with just Daphne/Shaggy/Scooby, some with Scooby-Dum and Dee, some with just Scr*ppy, and some, even…GASP…without Scooby-Doo…!?!?! Over the years, the draw has evolved from laughs and hijinks with everyone’s favorite talking dog to a full fledged, nuanced mystery anthology that explores the intricacies within the lives of ALL individuals within Mystery Inc. Even Fred in Mystery Incorporated (2010-2013) and Velma in Velma (2023), who are, sadly, two of the more forgotten characters, having been absent for 14 years from the franchise between 1984-1998 (with the exception of A Pup Named Scooby-Doo (1988-1991). Over the years, these later adaptations and motion picture installments have expanded upon the lore, effortlessly exploring the gang’s relationships with each other, their relationship with deteriorating world around them and the sleazy character’s it produces, and their relationship with the titular role, too: Scooby-Doo! Fun, fresh, and, most importantly, evolved…fifty five years running!
4 Scooby-Doo (2002). The first full length, live action feature film with a theatrical release!
And what’s really not to love? An institution established since 1969, boomers, gen xer’s, millennials, and gen zer’s and future gen alpha’s alike can all unite over their love for the franchise. And isn’t that what every iteration, no matter how different, meta, genre-bending, etc, etc, is all about? A group of good people, friends, coming together and conquering evil? Mystery Inc teaches us that there is power in unity, reward in honesty, and no honor in greed. Fred teaches us how to be a loyal and forgiving friend. He shows us how hard it can be to lead, taking on the hard choices and tasks and TRAPS that no other is daring enough to institute. Velma teaches us how to properly be an equally informed and humble intellectual. She shows us the highs and lows of being the smartest person in the room; how taxing, yet beautiful, the pursuit of ever-growing knowledge can be on a person. Daphne teaches us that the only thing more important than looking your best, is being kind. Beautiful on the inside and out, Daphne’s charm, wit, and overall badassery has made her the fan favorite character she is today! Always growing, changing and evolving! Faster and more evolved than even the franchise itself! “Leave it to Daphne” to never fail to show up a better version of herself with each and every new installment. And Shaggy and Scooby? They teach us the most important and powerful lesson of all: that of the very real and strong POWER of best friendship! They ride for each other, they sometimes even almost die for each other, and they exercise their metabolism together! Best friends forever, Shaggy and Scooby show us the true love of friendship that can’t ever fade away, can’t ever be forgotten…or be canceled…fifty five years running.
5 Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998). An all time fan favorite and my personal favorite film adaption alike, one of the gang’s famously SCARIER mysteries.
For fifty-five years and counting, Scooby-Doo and Mystery Incorporated have consistently shown generations of young people that bravery comes in all different shapes and forms. Truly courageous people are allowed to get scared sometimes, too. And that doesn’t make them any less courageous! The franchise has been running this long because Scooby, Shaggy, and their friends keep coming back for more and more mysteries. They always come back to save the day, even though it scares them…A LOT. That’s what makes them heroes. That’s true courage. But, can it also be an example of the endurance of a bonafide best friendship? The sacrifice of community? One of the most authentic portrayals of determination in media history? I say yes, yes, and YES! But to me, personally and always, it is one of the longest running metaphors for tackling man’s greatest fears. Today, tomorrow, and every day for the rest of our lives. And Scooby and the Gang will be here, too, long after we’re all gone, teaching the same enduring lesson over and over again. What a timeless gift! What a unique franchise! What a fifty-five year old talking dog!!!
6 Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969). What A Night for a Knight, season 1, episode 1. Closing shot.
Available to stream on MAX.
Available to stream on MAX.
Available to stream on MAX.
Available for rent on PRIME, APPLE, AND YOUTUBE (but check MAX during summer/Halloween season).
Available to stream on PRIME with BOOMERANG subscription.
Available to stream on MAX.