Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Creepy but silly holiday tale has cartoon violence, peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo!
What's the Story?
In HAPPY HALLOWEEN, SCOOBY-DOO!, Scooby (Frank Welker) and the gang are in Crystal Cove to take part in a parade and also stop a monster called the "Haunted Scarecrow." After capture, the Haunted Scarecrow is revealed to be one of Gotham City's most evil super-villains: Dr. Jonathan Crane. As he's being arrested, Crane warns Velma of more evil to come. Soon, Scooby and Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), as scared and snack-crazy as ever, stumble upon a pumpkin patch that's getting soaked in toxic waste oozing from a tanker truck. The toxic waste appears to bring the pumpkins to life, with a giant pumpkin as its leader, and these tentacled, demonic-looking pumpkins begin attacking the reporters on the scene. Meanwhile, Fred and Velma try getting used to a modernized Mystery Machine van with Bill Nye as its holographic assistant, and Daphne becomes the understudy of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Together, they must stop these "Jackal Lanterns" and figure out who's really behind this mystery.
Is It Any Good?
This is a standard Scooby-Doo mystery that balances all the beloved Scooby-Doo cliches with attempts at modernity. Of course, there are some monsters (or are they?), Shaggy and Scooby are as easily scared and as snack-crazed as ever, and there are some celebrity cameos (in this case, Bill Nye and Elvira). These blend in with bringing Mystery, Inc. into the Gotham universe, and Fred, Daphne, and Velma are now tech-savvy millennials who use apps to help crack cases as the bad guys make cracks about their presumed love of avocado toast. It keeps the franchise fresh without ruining it, even as the action of the story is mostly an extended vehicle chase.
Scooby-Doo fans will find lots to enjoy, as will their nostalgic parents. Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo! is a pretty standard Halloween-themed mystery, but it's a silly and fun way to get into the Halloween spirit.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about modern versions of classic cartoons. How is this version of Scooby-Doo different from the cartoon series from the 1970s? Which version do you prefer? Why?
How did Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo! address topics such as science and technology?
Were the violence and monsters too much, or were they okay because they're part of a story set at Halloween? Explain.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 6, 2020
- Cast : Bill Nye , Matthew Lillard , Frank Welker
- Director : Maxwell Ato
- Studio : Warner Bros. Animation
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Fantasy ( Ghosts ) , Friendship , Holidays ( Halloween )
- Run time : 80 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 12, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate