Scooby-Doo
Too scary for most kids, too dumb for most teens.
Parents say
Based on 30 reviews
Kids say
Based on 64 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Scooby-Doo
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this movie has more intense, scary special effects than you'll find in the cartoon Scooby-Doo features. The characters are in frequent peril, though no one gets hurt. There is some drug humor (as "Pass the Dutchie" plays on the soundtrack, what appears to be marijuana smoke turns out to be something else) and some vulgar jokes and graphic bathroom humor. The girls wear very skimpy clothes.
Community Reviews
Um... so... how is this PG?
Report this review
Report this review
What's the Story?
The Mystery Machine crew has just discovered the secret of the ghost who captured Daphne (it's a man in a mask!), when their egos collide and they decide to go their separate ways. Two years later, they find out that each of them has been hired by Mr. Mondavarious (Rowan Atkinson), whose Spooky Island theme park is a little spookier than he had in mind. Fred, Velma, and Daphne try to solve the mystery on their own, but find that they have to work together to find…well, this time it's not a man in a mask, exactly.
Is It Any Good?
This movie is somewhere between a live-action cartoon that's much too scary for most kids and a Saturday Night Live sketch that goes on too long for most teens. That's what you get when you try to reach both younger and older audiences.
The young stars have the voices down perfectly and do the best they can to bring the characters to life, but that only emphasizes how sketchy and shallow the cartoon characterization really is. Freddie Prinze, Jr., who will hopefully someday find a movie that will show off his considerable talent, has his best moments when Fred becomes something like a hip-hop zombie. And as Shaggy, Matthew Lillard is at his best anytime he isn't challenging Scooby to a flatulence and burping contest.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the friends broke up and why they got back together.
They might also want to talk about what has made Scooby and his pals so enduringly popular over the years. Which version of the show do you like best?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 14, 2002
- On DVD or streaming: October 11, 2002
- Cast: Freddie Prinze Jr., Linda Cardellini, Sarah Michelle Gellar
- Director: Raja Gosnell
- Studio: Warner Bros.
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Run time: 86 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: some rude humor, language and some scary action.
- Last updated: March 2, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Agent Cody Banks
Teen spy spoof with gadgets, girls is fun for tweens, teens.
-
Nancy Drew
Big-screen teen sleuth is cute, if a bit bland.
-
Spy Kids
Just the right combination of fantasy and comedy.
For kids who love sleuths and classic TV characters
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