Scooby-Doo Through the Ages: Unraveling Every TV Series in Chronological Order

Summary

Scooby-Doo has been a beloved franchise for over 50 years, with various shows and movies entertaining multiple generations of fans.

The Scooby-Doo shows, in their chronological order, showcase the evolution of the franchise. Starting from the iconic "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" to the more contemporary adaptations like "Mystery Incorporated" and "Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!", each series presents a unique interpretation of the beloved characters.

One such recent addition is the controversial series "Velma," which places the title character at the forefront. However, it has faced criticism for its mature and updated depiction of the beloved characters. Nevertheless, it serves as a testament to the enduring popularity and continued relevance of the Scooby-Doo franchise.

The Scooby-Doo franchise has stood the test of time as one of the longest-running cartoon series. From its groovy beginnings in 1969 to the recent series, Velma, Scooby-Doo has entertained millions of people over the decades. The series follows Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. team, including Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, and Fred, as they encounter supernatural occurrences and work to solve them. Despite its simple premise, these beloved characters have captivated fans for over 50 years in various animated series and live-action movies.

Velma represents the latest attempt to revive the Scooby gang, but with a more adult-oriented approach and modern commentary. However, the show has faced backlash from fans who believe it ridicules the original characters. This passionate response proves that Scooby-Doo is still a franchise that resonates with people. The enduring presence of Scooby-Doo shows throughout the years demonstrates its appeal across multiple generations and suggests its continuation for many more to come.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969-1970)

Now streaming on Max and Boomerang

When examining the Scooby-Doo series chronologically, the original and most cherished series came to fruition when Hanna-Barbera aimed to create a more wholesome and less intense television show compared to their previous superhero cartoons. Each humorous episode of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! followed a predictable structure, bringing comfort and familiarity to young viewers. The delightful antics of Shaggy and Scooby provided an additional layer of slapstick humor. Following a chase, the gang always unraveled the mystery by exposing the true identity of the monster or ghost - often an elderly individual exploiting local legends to conceal a crime. Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! swiftly gained popularity, prompting Hanna-Barbera to expand the franchise to cater to audiences who couldn't satiate their appetite for more of Scooby-Doo and the gang.

The Scooby-Doo Movies (1972-1974)

Rent individual episodes of Scooby-Doo can be done through AppleTV. The next installment after the original series was The Scooby-Doo Movies. Unlike a series of movies, it was a show consisting of hour-long episodes that continued after Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! These episodes featured guest stars such as Batman and Robin, The Harlem Globetrotters, and many others. The guest stars were what made this version of the franchise memorable, as the format remained largely the same as the original, with the Scooby Gang solving mysteries alongside famous cartoon characters. The Scooby-Doo Movies was another successful show that aired until 1974. Following that, reruns of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! would be broadcast until the franchise moved from CBS to ABC in 1976.

The Scooby-Doo Show (1976-1977)

Streamable on Boomerang, Scooby-Doo experienced format changes throughout the 1970s and often teamed up with Dynomutt, Dog Wonder to create the Scooby-Doo/Dynomutt Hour. Dynomutt was the mechanical dog sidekick to another Hanna-Barbera superhero called Blue Falcon. In addition to the crossover episodes from Scooby-Doo/Dynomutt Hour and Scooby's All-Star Laff-a-Lympics, there were also regularly formatted Scooby-Doo episodes featuring new characters like Scooby-Doo's cousin, Scooby-Dum. This decade saw the introduction of numerous new characters to the franchise and exciting crossovers with other Hanna-Barbera properties.

Scooby's All-Star Laff-A-Lympics (1977-1978)

Stream the Scooby-Doo shows on Boomerang and experience the interconnectedness of the Hanna-Barbera universe. The title itself exemplifies Hanna-Barbera's determination to capitalize on Scooby-Doo's popularity. Additionally, Laff-A-Lympics introduces an interesting concept, bringing together over forty characters from various Hanna-Barbera franchises for a comedic take on the Olympics. In the second season, the show is renamed Scooby's All-Stars before it gets cancelled. Undeterred, Hanna-Barbera then introduces Scooby's adorable sidekick to keep the franchise going.

Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo (1979-1982)

Content available on Max, Boomerang, and Tubi

In Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo, a notable character, Scooby's nephew Scrappy, is introduced to the franchise. Scrappy is known for being comically small, tough, and tenacious, in contrast to his uncle. He possesses bravery, a feisty spirit, and an eagerness to assist the gang in solving mysteries, often diving headfirst into danger while reciting catchphrases. While Scrappy is not a fan favorite and was even portrayed as the antagonist in the initial live-action Scooby-Doo film, his addition led to him staying alongside his uncle for a considerable period of time.

The New Scooby And Scrappy-Doo Show (1983-1985)

Streaming options are not available.

In 1983, The New Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Show aired for one season. Afterward, its name was changed to The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries, causing some confusion among the various Scooby-Doo shows. Daphne Blake made a return in the first season, while Fred and Velma would only return in the second season. This series was notable for discontinuing the use of a sitcom laugh track, which had not been liked by fans. Despite Scrappy-Doo not being well-received by fans, he remained in the show while other characters came and went.

The 13 Ghosts Of Scooby-Doo (1985)

Available on Boomerang and Tubi, Hanna-Barbera's seventh Scooby-Doo franchise incarnation introduced a fresh take on the beloved characters. Alongside Scrappy-Doo, a transformed Daphne, and a revamped Shaggy sporting a red outfit, new additions like Flim Flam, a cunning adventurer with a knack for escaping tricky situations, brought a breath of excitement to the show. The thrilling storyline also introduced a magician named Vincent Van Ghoul, voiced by the iconic horror legend Vincent Price, who joined forces with the gang to return 13 ghosts to the Chest of Demons. This marked the Scooby-Doo franchise's first venture into the realm of real ghosts, adding an extra layer of suspense to the beloved kids' series.

A Pup Named Scooby-Doo (1988-1991)

Content is available on Boomerang and Tubi

Although the Scooby-Doo franchise has maintained its popularity over the years, it occasionally incorporates new elements to keep things fresh. A Pup Named Scooby-Doo takes us back to the early days of Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby as young children and a puppy. This series stands out from the traditional animation style with its softer, cuter, and more bubbly animation. It also embraces a more goofy and zany approach, focusing on the comedic aspects rather than the scary ghost stories. A Pup Named Scooby-Doo was a hit until 1991, when reruns of older shows took over. These reruns continued for over a decade, allowing even kids from the 1990s and 2000s to enjoy the original series.

What's New Scooby-Doo? (2002-2006)

Now streaming on Max and Boomerang

After a hiatus that started in 1991, Scooby-Doo made a comeback on the small screen and became one of the longest-running cartoon series with a fresh and fitting title, What's New Scooby-Doo? This new series took a completely different approach from its predecessor, offering a more modern and realistic portrayal of Scooby-Doo and his friends. The goofy Hanna-Barbera sound effects that were a trademark of the past were left behind, along with the laugh track. However, this series also embraced its roots by featuring the gang facing off against villains in clever disguises and costumes instead of supernatural beings and apparitions.

Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get A Clue! (2006-2008)

Now available on Boomerang, this 2006 series centers around Scooby and Shaggy. The story revolves around Shaggy inheriting a grand house and wealth from his wealthy uncle, Albert Shaggleford, who has mysteriously disappeared. It is later revealed that Albert had vanished to escape from the antagonist, Dr. Phibes, who seeks to steal his inventions and dominate the world. In order to thwart Dr. Phibes' plans, Scooby and Shaggy must join forces. Notably, Shaggy & Scooby Get A Clue stands out for its distinctive animation style.

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010-2013)

Streaming on Netflix, Max, and Boomerang, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated transports viewers to the gang's hometown, employing the classic Scooby-Doo formula to unravel perplexing mysteries. Serving as a revitalization of the original series, Mystery Incorporated injects fresh vitality into the franchise. In contrast to previous Scooby-Doo iterations, this show takes a serialized approach, with each episode building upon the events of the last. Moreover, Mystery Incorporated distinguishes itself by adopting a more serious tone, delving into darker themes and exploring intricate relationship dynamics among the characters. These distinctive elements contribute to the show's enduring popularity among fans.

Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! (2015-2018)

Available for streaming on Max and Boomerang, Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! made its mark in 2015. The show delves into the dynamics of the Scooby gang as they enjoy their last summer together after high school graduation. Determined to have an unforgettable vacation, they embark on thrilling adventures, facing off against monsters and ghosts, and unraveling mysteries to save the day. Returning to the essence of the original 1969 series, Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! brings a lighthearted and humorous tone that sets it apart from Mystery Incorporated. Unfortunately, it didn't receive the same level of acclaim and ended after just two seasons.

Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? (2019-2021)

Available on Max and Boomerang, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? offers a fresh take on the beloved Saturday morning cartoon. With appearances from celebrities and renowned characters, reminiscent of the classic Scooby-Doo Movies, this series embraces the humorous essence of the franchise. Despite its more than five decades of existence, Scooby-Doo continues to captivate audiences, and Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? stands as a testament to its enduring charm. The show features contemporary icons from pop culture, such as Mark Hamill, Halsey, and Kenan Thompson, in guest roles.

Velma (2023– )

Now streaming on Max

Mindy Kaling has reimagined the Scooby-Doo franchise with a fresh and controversial twist in her animated series, Velma. Unlike previous versions, this show places the title character in the forefront, with the other characters taking on supporting roles in her Scooby adventure. Fred and Shaggy have also received modern updates that have made them less appealing to viewers. Kaling is joined by a talented supporting cast including Constance Wu, Glenn Howerton, and Sam Richardson, who add depth to the character of Velma. While the adult-oriented approach to the mystery cartoon is an intriguing concept, it has received mixed reviews. Despite this, Max has decided to give Velma a second season, showing confidence in the show's potential.

What’s Next For Scooby-Doo After Velma

The next Scooby-Doo series set to be released was titled Scooby-Doo And The Mystery Pups. This series, produced by Max and Cartoon Network, was specifically targeted towards a preschool audience. The beloved characters, Shaggy and Scooby, were set to be voiced by fan favorites Matthew Lillard and Frank Welker, respectively. The storyline involved the duo working as camp counselors at a sleep-away camp, alongside puppies, as they embarked on solving a new mystery. The goal of the series was to engage the preschool audience and enhance their problem-solving skills while boosting their confidence.

Unfortunately, Scooby-Doo And The Mystery Pups became a casualty of cancellation at Max even before its release on streaming platforms. Originally planned to premiere in the summer of 2024, the series was intended to be featured in Cartoon Network's Cartoonito programming before transitioning to Max. Warner Bros. also scrapped plans for a Scooby-Doo holiday movie, leaving the future of the beloved franchise uncertain. Despite the setback, it is well-known that the Scooby-Doo brand has enduring popularity, and fans continue to eagerly stream the classic shows. Therefore, there is always a demand for more Scooby-Doo content.