Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Scooby puppet pirate mystery has mansplaining, flirting.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map
What's the Story?
In THE SCOOBY-DOO! ADVENTURES: THE MYSTERY MAP, a pizza is delivered with a unique topping -- a treasure map! Scooby-Doo (voiced by Frank Welker) and the gang follow the map to find treasure belonging to the pirate Gnarlybeard (John Rhys-Davies), but run into trouble along the way.
Is It Any Good?
Credit to the team behind this Scooby-Doo adventure for presenting the famous sleuthing dog and his friends in a new way. After hundreds of cartoons and multiple live-action movies, Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map presents the meddling kids in puppet form. The story of a pirate's missing treasure follows the cartoon formula but with puppets lumping about to lines delivered at breakneck speed, feeling like a radio advert performer cramming in the small print. This unhinged energy sits uncomfortably with the janky puppets, making the movie feel like a DIY YouTube project made with cuddly toys. Adding to the oddness is two mismatched and far too long musical segments. One is a song about having a great summer, played over the gang being chased through a dark cave. The other is a Beach Boys-esque summer surf song over them being forced to work on a pirate ship.
The fluffy puppets skew far younger than the average Scooby-Doo audience of kids aged 6-9, and the story might have been served better if the cartoon crew had been able to put some style behind the mild scares. As a "my first" Scooby-Doo it'll do. Beyond that, it's an usual addition to the Scooby-Doo catalog, but not necessarily one worth seeking out.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map differed from other Scooby-Doo adventures. Did you like the fact that the film used puppets rather than being animated? Why, or why not?
Which characters demonstrated courage, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these such good character strengths to have? Can you think of any examples in real life when you've shown these traits?
How did Fred behave toward Velma? Do you think he treated her fairly? Why, or why not?
Scooby-Doo and the gang track animals. Think of some animals and imagine how different their footprints would be if you were tracking them.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 23, 2013
- Cast : Frank Welker , Grey Griffin , Matthew Lillard
- Director : Jomac Noph
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Home Video
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Animals , Pirates
- Run time : 44 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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