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A generation of kids grew up watching Raja Gosnell's 2002 live-action comedy flick "Scooby-Doo," an adaptation of Hanna-Barbera's long-running Scooby-Doo cartoon shows from the 1970s. In the film, Freddy, originally voiced by Frank Welker, was played by Freddie Prinze, Jr., and Shaggy, originally voiced by Casey Kasem, was played by Matthew Lillard. Prinze was squarely in the public eye after starring in hit films like "She's All That" and "I Know What You Did Last Summer," while Lillard was famous for his turns in "Hackers," "Scream," and "Slc Punk!" Lillard, incidentally, was also in "She's All That." Both actors were very much their generation's "It" boys, and the decade proved to be very lucrative for them both. 

Well, "Wing Commander" notwithstanding. 

"Wing Commander" is not well-remembered by too many people. It was based on a series of 1990s "Wing Commander" video games created by Chris Roberts, who also directed the film.

The past has a way of catching up, especially if it involves an accidental almost-murder that was committed and then covered up by a group of teenagers. And with that sentiment, we can finally welcome the first trailer to come for Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel. It’s been nearly 30 years (kill us!) since Jim Gillespie helmed the first movie in the franchise back in 1997, and now, the hooked maniac at the center of the story is back with a vengeance, thirsty for more blood. Following in the footsteps of Scream’s reboot, the movie will feature legacy cast members Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. mixed in with a slew of younger talent, including Madelyn Cline and Jonah Hauer-King. The trailer is giving us our first taste of the production, which is aptly due out later this year in the summer...

Scooby-Doo has been a fixture in pop culture for over fifty years, spanning dozens of hits, classic television shows, and animated films. The basic story sees Scooby-Doo, a cowardly but lovable great dane, go on spooky adventures with his four friends, Shaggy, Velma, Fred and Daphne, across the world to solve terrifying mysteries with ghouls, goblins and more. While Scooby-Doo didn't coin the term, it's probably the most famous example of the monster-of-the-week formula, where characters encounter and combat a new villain or monster in every episode. The franchise has seen many hits, such as shows like Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, What's New, Scooby-Doo? and Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated, as well as many hit movies like Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.

However, the franchise has recently died down due to a lack of interest. Although Scooby-Doo has faced low points like this before, he's never been out of...

Jinkies! Scooby-Doo fans are in for a treat today, as Netflix has announced the arrival of the very first live-action series based on the beloved cartoon first backed by Hanna-Barbera. While no casting additions have been announced at this time, the faces of the episodic series will need to live up to the fearsome foursome that came before when Matthew Lillard, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Linda Cardellini first brought the characters to life in live-action form via the Raja Gosnell-helmed Scooby-Doo. This time around, audiences will be invited to tune in for eight episodes that will follow the origin stories of the group who would eventually become known as Mystery Inc.

As per the project’s official logline:

A modern reimagining of the iconic mystery-solving group of teens and their very special dog. During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne get embroiled...

Since the earliest days of Hollywood, audiences have signaled a desire for some of their favorite stories to continue in the form of sequels, with franchises like Star Wars and Halloween being kept alive for decades. The idea of the sequel has always been hit or miss, with some filmmakers wanting their best stories to be left at one, while studios insist on keeping their ideas alive. Naturally, this has been reflected in the quality of some movies, which can either delight or divide audiences.

While some sequels rank among the greatest and most successful films ever made, others are among the worst. In the middle, however, audiences have a long list of underrated continuations, some of which failed to live up to a predecessor while others were quickly overshadowed by the next entry. Some of these movies simply flew under the radar or weren't appreciated for their time, but have aged incredibly well.

James Gunn is one of the busiest men in Hollywood right now. Following the success of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, Gunn jumped ship to become the new co-president of DC Studios with Peter Safran. The filmmaker now spends his days reading and approving scripts from writers and filmmakers, as well as directing his own fair share of new DC projects. But before Gunn became known for superhero films, he worked with another beloved IP, and his two films under the Scooby-Doo label are about to arrive on Netflix.

Scooby-Doo and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed stream on Netflix on January 1. Gunn wrote the screenplays for both movies, with Raja Gosnell directing. Scooby-Doo was the first attempt to bring the beloved paranormal detectives to the big screen. Released in 2002, the film stars Freddie Prinze Jr. (Fred Jones), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Daphne Blake), Linda Cardellini (Velma Dinkley), Matthew Lillard (Shaggy Rogers...

The best movies are often the ones that are able to transcend the moment, understanding better than anyone else what is going on in the culture and creating something that is uniquely ahead of its time. Some of the most hilarious movies, be they outright comedies or laugh-out-loud action films, are able to capture something before anyone else has had a chance to.

The early 2000s were a time of huge transition for Hollywood, where CGI began to take hold in lieu of traditional special effects and 2D animation, and superhero films started to emerge as the dominant blockbuster force. But some of the funniest films of the beginning of the century stand out, capturing the essence of something that would continue to resonate years, and even decades, later.

This Movie Understood the Value of Nostalgia Scooby-Doo (2002)

Directed by:

Raja Gosnell

Starring:

Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard...

Roger Ebert was never afraid to go against the grain. While most critics loved films like A Clockwork Orange, Gladiator, The Usual Suspects and The Elephant Man, Ebert gave them a big thumbs down. It went the other way as well, though. Far Out Magazine recently noted a number of terrible movies that Ebert inexplicably loved, including three comedies that would be more at home at the Razzies than the Oscars.

Here are three terrible comedies that got kudos from arguably the greatest film critic of all time…

1 Home Alone 3

No Macaulay Culkin? No Chris Columbus? No problem for Ebert. “To my astonishment, I liked the third Home Alone movie better than the first two,” he wrote. “I’m even going so far as to recommend it.”

What was so great about it? “This movie follows the exact formula of the first two, but is funnier and gentler, has a real charmer for a hero,...

Exclusive: William H. Macy has signed to star in crime comedy Too Many Crooks as an on parole career criminal whose bank robbery plan takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a heist is already underway at his chosen target.

Craig Berenson (Snakes on a Plane) and J. Todd Harris (Chicago 7) are producing the picture, written by Eddie Richey (Phoenix) and directed by Raja Gosnell.

Film Mode Entertainment (Fme) has acquired global rights to the movie, which is currently in pre-production, and will launch sales on the title at the AFM next week.

Macy and Fme President Clay Epstein also take executive producer credits on the crime caper which is based on a Donald Westlake short story, for which he was awarded the prestigious Edgar (Edgar Alan Poe) award for Best Short Story in 1990.

Westlake has been acknowledged by many...

The 2002 live-action Scooby-Doo movie had a great villain twist, and it was the perfect response to a decades-long complaint about the franchise and one specific character. Since 1969, Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang have been solving all types of spooky mysteries, with their very peculiar sense of humor. After many animated movies, Scooby-Doo and his friends finally made the jump to the big screen with a live-action movie. Simply titled Scooby-Doo, the movie was directed by Raja Gosnell and written by James Gunn, and it starred some of the most popular actors of the 2000s.

Scooby-Doo sees the Mystery Inc. gang reuniting two years after parting ways, as they are hired by Emile Mondavarious (Rowan Atkinson) to solve a mystery at Spooky Island, his horror-themed tropical resort. Mondavarious explains that the guests, all of them teenagers and young adults, have fallen under a demonic curse, and only Scooby and the gang can solve this mystery.

These days, James Gunn is known for giving us the "Guardians of the Galaxy" movies and for heading up the new DC Studios over at Warner Bros. As the director gears up to unleash his "Superman" movie, we're all eager to see whether Gunn can finally make DC truly competitive in the superhero movie marketplace, even as audience interest may be waning.

Of course, "Superman" isn't Gunn's first foray into DC territory. Prior to helming DC Studios, his bloody, messy sequel "The Suicide Squad" was well-received even as a day-and-date pandemic release hampered its commercial performance. Meanwhile, his TV series "Peacemaker" was a vulgar, violent masterpiece, and will soon return for a second season that is set to meld DC animation and live-action. His "Guardians" movies for Marvel had been family-friendly affairs, and both of these DC projects allowed the director to embrace a more lurid, adult sensibility, and it...

Directed by Raja Gosnell and written by James Gunn, 2002's live-action Scooby-Doo movie included a twist that shook the foundation of the entire franchise. Praised by many as one of the best Scooby-Doo movies, the project was the beloved characters' first foray into live-action. While there have been other Scooby-Doo live-action adaptions since the 2002 movie premiered, it stands out not only for being the first, but also for making a bold story decision that separated it further from the animated source material.

Although the success of the first live-action Scooby-Doo movie resulted in a sequel also being made, the follow-up didn't perform quite as well at the box office. As a result, the cast and crew disbanded after just two movies. While reviews were mixed for both films, the first live-action entry into the Scooby-Doo franchise should still be applauded for its bold creative choices and attempts to shake...

Sarah Michelle Gellar played Buffy Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer from 1997 to 2003, and before the series finale, Gellar found the perfect project to serve as her follow-up to the series. The supernatural drama is undoubtedly Gellar's magnum opus as it ran for seven critically acclaimed seasons. Buffy the Vampire Slayer's success and continued relevance decades after it ended make it Gellar's most well-known project. Because of its impressive dominance, it would be difficult for Gellar to find a movie or show to replace it. Thankfully, the actress landed a role in 2002 that was the perfect successor to Buffy.

A reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is reportedly in the works.

Although Gellar has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows over the years, Buffy the Vampire Slayer's popularity pushes it to the forefront of her filmography. The show launched a franchise, which includes a spinoff, podcast series,...

James Gunn plans to treat VFX artists better than other studios when it comes to crafting the movies in his new DC Universe. The filmmaker has revealed the reason why Superman wrapped so long before its release is to give the VFX teams the proper amount of time to create the visuals, and thus not leave them overworked. In the years since Terminator 2: Judgement Day and Jurassic Park kicked off a new era of CGI in blockbuster filmmaking, there have been incredible leaps forward. While there are still plenty of great CGI characters and mind-blowing work being done by incredible VFX artists, the sheer amount of VFX shorts and short turnaround time between films being handed over to the team prior to a movie's release have led to some notably rushed CGI shots and terrible working conditions, with Marvel Studios films like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Thor: Love and Thunder...

This article is part of IndieWire’s 2000s Week celebration. Click here for a whole lot more.

Contrary to what conversion therapy might have you believe, it’s impossible to turn someone gay or bisexual. That is, unless you watched the first “Scooby-Doo” movie at a young, formative age. If that’s the case, then you’re almost definitely bisexual now, even if you don’t know it yet. Sorry you had to find out this way.

Despite giving us this great gift, critics at the time were still pretty harsh on cinema’s first-ever live-action portrayal of Scooby-Doo. “Get out your pooper-scoopers,” warned Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers. “It’s like an amalgam of ‘Ghostbusters,’ ‘Alien’ and the ‘Pokemon’ movies — minus all the good parts,” added Michael O’Sullivan at The Washington Post. I, on the other hand, couldn’t get enough of this film and the DVD I...

The original cut of the live-action Scooby-Doo movie was rated R, resulting in some toning down to avoid the mature rating. For fans wanting to see the R-rated cut actually get released, writer James Gunn has shared an unfortunate update.

Apparently, the original cut of Scooby-Doo wasn't preserved and the footage has since been lost. On the social media platform Threads, Gunn was asked about the chances of the R-rated cut of Scooby-Doo getting released. In response, Gunn bluntly stated, "It no longer exists."

Related Matthew Lillard Celebrates Five Nights at Freddy's 2 News With Scooby-Doo Crossover

Matthew Lillard unites two of his iconic characters in honor of Five Nights at Freddy's 2 getting its release date.

Gunn confirmed back in 2017 that the film was originally given an R-rating, even sharing how one example of edits saw the digital removal of cleavage. However, Gunn doesn't look back at the project with any distaste.

Scooby-Doo could be the perfect replacement for Wednesday with its iconic characters and teenage story potential. The key to success lies in maintaining a dark and spooky tone similar to Wednesday's ambiance. Wednesday's popularity may not last forever, making way for Netflix's Scooby-Doo to step in as a fitting successor.

In 2022, Wednesday impressed audiences with its talented cast and spooky ambiance, and though anticipation is high for the second season, it seems that Netflix is already planning its best Wednesday replacement in its new live-action Scooby-Doo series. It was recently reported by Variety that Netflix is potentially signing on to produce a live-action Scooby-Doo television series with Berlanti Productions on board, and writers Josh Applebaum and Scott Rosenberg taking the helm on the scripts. This is far from the first live-action adaptation of the beloved cartoon, however, Netflix may have something truly exciting on their hands.

Meanwhile, anticipation has...

Scooby-Doo adaptations struggle historically, but Netflix's new series has potential to be a game-changer. Netflix's live-action Scooby-Doo must learn from past flops to reinvent the franchise for modern audiences. Cast and storytelling are key for Netflix in reviving Scooby-Doo, needing to avoid mistakes that led to past failures.

It was recently reported by Deadline that Netflix is in the process of developing a new, live-action Scooby-Doo series, and though the franchise is certainly beloved and nostalgic, this is an incredibly risky move for the streaming service due to the franchise's recent flops. Scooby-Doo was first created by Warner Brothers in 1969. The series, which follows a group of teens and their dog who solve mysteries, has since become a staple of childrens' shows. Over the years, countless Scooby-Doo movies have been made, ranging in genre from animation and live-action to childrens' horror and adult comedy.

Without context, a Netflix Scooby-Doo...

Netflix's new live-action Scooby-Doo series can redeem the franchise after the failure of "Monsters Unleashed" in 2004. The history of Scooby-Doo's live-action adaptations has been rocky, with previous attempts failing to impress both critics and viewers. The upcoming series offers hope for a fresh, high-quality adaptation that properly explores the characters and mysteries.

Scooby-Doo is getting a new live-action version over at Netflix, and this TV show can redeem the franchise after a big live-action failure 20 years ago. The Scooby-Doo franchise is one of the biggest and most beloved ones in the entertainment world, and it all started in 1969 with the animated TV series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!. The show introduced the world to the Mystery Inc. gang and the types of mysteries they attend. The success of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! made way for a franchise with animated shows, movies, video games, and a lot more.

Of course, Scooby-Doo...

Scooby-Doo has reportedly found a new home for the cartoon dog's next television series. shortly after the premiere of the second season of Velma, it's been revealed that a new Scooby-Doo series is in the works for a streaming release on Netflix.

Per THR, Greg Berlanti and Netflix are teaming up for a new live-action Scooby-Doo series. A deal is said to be nearly finalized for the new show, which is described as a "live-action update of the classic cartoon." There are no indications that the new series will be connected to any of the previous live-action films based on Scooby-Doo cartoons. The project has a script-to-series commitment, so if the deal is finalized, the reboot will get a straight-to-series order.

Related Scooby-Doo Gave TV One Of Its Greatest Formulas Scooby-Doo is a legend of TV and the original animated series helped to create some of the most popular TV formulas of all time.

Drew Barrymore recalls filming Never Been Kissed and being asked to “tone it down” because her character, Josie Grossie, was deemed “too unattractive.”

In a recent episode of her talk show The Drew Barrymore Show, the actress talked about her experience while filming the 1999 romantic comedy, the first one from her production company Flower Films.

“At that time, people were very weary of actors being producers,” Barrymore told her talk show guests Christine Taylor and David Lascher. “A lot of it wasn’t necessarily working, and it didn’t mean because you were an actor, you knew how to produce the film. And it was about the economics. So if you didn’t make the film work, and you produced it as an actor, you are likely to not be able to do it again.”

Barrymore said the pressure of acting and producing in the film made her “very stressed,...

Drew Barrymore is reflecting back on 20th Century Fox’s initial reaction to Never Been Kissed.

The actress-producer and talk-show host was joined by Hey, Dude…The ’90s Called! hosts Christine Taylor and David Lascher on Friday’s Drew Barrymore Show, where she recalled how the rom-com marked a big milestone for the actress, as it was the first project made under her own production company, Flower Films.

With her venture behind the camera while also being the film’s star, there was a lot of pressure on Barrymore for the film to succeed.

“Never Been Kissed was very interesting because it was our first official film for Flower Films. And at that time, people were very weary of actors being producers,” she explained. “A lot of it wasn’t necessarily working and it didn’t mean because you’re an actor, you knew how to produce a film and it was about the economics.

After concluding March with Raja Gosnell’s Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (listen) and James Whale’s The Invisible Man (listen), we kicked off April with a discussion of Anthony Minghella’s The Talented Mr. Ripley (listen). Now we’re checking off another classic with John Landis‘ 1981 werewolf film, An American Werewolf in London. In the film, American best friends David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) are horrifically attacked while backpacking through the UK Moors. Jack is killed and David spends a month recuperating in the hospital, where he befriends attractive nurse Alex (Jenny Agutter) and kindly Dr. Hirsch (John Woodvine). On the cusp of his release, the mangled corpse of Jack visits David, warning that on the full moon he will become a lycanthrope unless he kills himself. But David is unable to accept his fate and a series of terrible murders follow. As the bodies (and the comedy) pile up,...

Gay Flowers.

March featured a variety of conversations, including the Kristen Stewart vehicle Personal Shopper (listen), Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train (listen), and Raja Gosnell‘s live-action cartoon sequel Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (listen here).

After previously covering The Old Dark House and Bride of Frankenstein, we wrapped the month up with another James Whale classic, The Invisible Man (1933).

In the film, Jack Griffin (Claude Rains) is an egomaniac with plans to sell his invisibility formula for a fortune, but first he has to “find a way back” from invisibility with the help of scientist/love interest, Dr. Kemp (William Harrigan). Alas, Griffin’s serum has also turned him insane and murderous, and he embarks on a killing spree that will claim the highest body count of any Universal Monster title.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get a new episode every Wednesday. You can subscribe on iTunes/Apple Podcasts,...

James Gunn wrote 2004's Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, which was directed by Raja Gosnell. Gunn celebrates the movie's 20th anniversary with a social media post in which he reveals that his choice for the title was actually Scooby-Doo Unleashed. The live-action sequel earned mostly negative reviews from critics, and the franchise has since remained in the world of animation.

Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed turns 20, and James Gunn celebrates the occasion with a new social media post sharing his honest thoughts about the movie's title. Released in 2004, the live-action Scooby-Doo sequel was directed by Raja Gosnell, with Gunn having written the screenplay. The film, which features Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, earned mostly negative reviews from critics, but was a success at the box office. Gunn would go on to write and direct movies like Slither, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Suicide Squad.

In a post on Instagram, Gunn celebrates Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed...

Mystery Mistress.

After kicking off March with discussions of the Kristen Stewart vehicle Personal Shopper (listen) and Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train (listen), we’re getting a little silly with a deep dive into Raja Gosnell‘s live-action cartoon sequel Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004) for its 20th anniversary!

In the film, canine sleuth Scooby-Doo (Neil Fanning) once again joins his pals Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), Velma (Linda Cardellini), Fred (Freddie Prinze Jr.) and Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar) when the Evil Masked Figure breaks into the Coolsonian Criminology Museum and steals a bunch of costumes that belonged to Mystery Inc.’s previously unmasked foes! What’s worse? E.M.F. is using them to create real monsters! It’s up to the gang to stop the monsters’ attack on Coolsville, while dodging the libelous attacks of television journalist Heather Jasper-Howe (Alicia Silverstone), who is out to discredit their investigations.

Be...

Through the power of cinema, audiences have long been treated to some of the best stories in fiction, through a diverse range of genres each dedicated to their tropes and themes. These movies follow a traditional structure of beginning, middle, and end, with each part playing a key role in determining how the story is perceived by audiences. For most stories, the opening sequence can be the make or break for how invested audiences get in the story.

The opening scene of any movie is vital in capturing the interest of audiences and establishing the tone of the story. After all, it is here where audiences get their main impression of the story and, quite often, its characters. These scenes should serve to explain what type of story is about to play out without giving away too much. For a scene to do a good job at setting up its...

The episode of Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie? covering Ravenous was Written by Emilie Black, Narrated by Travis Hopson, Edited by Victoria Verduzco, Produced by Andrew Hatfield and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.

1999, a year of hope, a year of high fashion, nooo, no… 1999, the year when people prepared for Y2K, the year of all the odd choices when it came to fashion, and the year of interesting cinematic options. We got The Mummy which gave us all the hot cast members we could ask for and still gives us memes, we got End of Days, Stigmata, Idle Hands, House on Haunted Hill, The Haunting, Stir of Echoes, and The Blair Witch Project. It was a year for surprising hits, shocking failures, and offbeat horror films. So many smaller budgets did so well. Also out in 1999 was this movie about cannibalism in the olden days of the United States,...

Scooby-Doo is still one of the most iconic animated franchises in animation history. This classic hit got its start in 1969 thanks to Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, who created Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! for Hanna-Barbera Productions. The show introduced a team of youngsters made up of Fred Jones, Daphne Blake, Velma Dinkley, and Shaggy Rogers, along with their Great Dane dog named Scooby-Doo. The team specialized in solving mysteries involving alleged supernatural creatures, yet they always ended up finding out that, hidden behind the monsters, ordinary people were the real villains of the story.

The enormous impact of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! led to further series, spin-offs, reboots, movies, video games, and comics, among many other media. Among the large number of Scooby-Doo movies, the two live-action films stand above the rest: Scooby-Doo: The Movie and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. Both of them were directed by Raja Gosnell, written by James Gunn,...

For decades, the idea of the "chosen one" has been a popular trope in fiction, telling the story of characters who are unwitting subjects of prophecies. These films focus on ideas of fate and destiny, building towards long-awaited realizations of the characters' full potential, both for better and worse. While some characters embrace their supernatural roles, others have their stories defined through trying to avoid them at all costs.

The idea of the chosen one continues to be popular in fiction, especially thanks to how it can elevate seemingly ordinary characters into great heroes, sending them on fantastical adventures. These stories often take the shape of tales of responsibility, and have been a classic vehicle for the hero's journey. The chosen one trope continues to entertain fans across mediums and genres and, despite often being supernatural in nature, can lead to relatable character development.

Scooby-Doo

Release Date

June 14, 2002

Director

Raja Gosnell

Cast

Freddie Prinze Jr.,...

Scooby-Doo movies have aged well and hold a nostalgic charm for fans of the original cartoons. There is a recent trend of adapting animated characters into live-action settings, offering the potential for a new live-action Scooby-Doo iteration. Revisiting the franchise in a live-action form could update the characters and world while capturing the true potential of the series.

It's Halloween season and a perfect time to revisit some incredibly spooky, family-friendly adventures from yesteryear. There have been so many live-action adaptations based on cartoons, although many have been lost to time and largely forgotten about. However, there is one franchise that has continued to live on in its animated form and holds a special place for a certain generation. Scooby-Doo might have dominated the cartoon landscape, but it also stepped its paws into the live-action world to a mixed critical response. Somehow, the movies have aged pretty well, though.

There's...

The live-action Scooby-Doo movies of the early 2000s are a great example of how to do live-action reboots right, capturing the essence of the cartoons while adding a different spin to the characters. The films feature an incredible cast that perfectly brings the characters' quirks to life, especially Matthew Lillard's portrayal of Shaggy, which led to him becoming Shaggy's full-time voice actor in later cartoons. The movies are hilarious, with jokes rooted in the characters and clever throwbacks to the Scooby-Doo franchise, making them a perfect reflection of the cartoon while also serving as an introduction to new viewers.

While they may get a bad reputation, the live-action Scooby-Doo movies of the early 2000s are actually great. With franchise reboots in abundance, and rarely executed well, these movies are a great example of how to do it right. The original live-action Scooby-Doo films managed to capture the...

HBO Max surprises with a fantastic selection of family movies, showcasing Warner Bros.' dedication to quality entertainment that bridges generational gaps. Films like Scooby-Doo (2002), The Lego Batman Movie (2017), and Speed Racer (2008) offer a perfect blend of humor, adventure, and life lessons for both kids and adults. From heartwarming classics like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) to visually stunning masterpieces like Spirited Away (2001), HBO Max has the best assortment of family movies that create a shared viewing experience for the whole family.

HBO Max might be best known for its mature dramas, but the streaming service has a shockingly great catalog of family movies. In today's cinematic landscape, family movies occupy a unique position, as they're not just escapist entertainment but vessels of shared experiences that bridge generational gaps. The ideal family film should captivate children with whimsical tales, vivacious characters, and, most importantly, imbue lessons that remain long after the credits roll.

Scooby-Doo fans have speculated about Fred's sexual orientation, with some believing that he is gay due to certain character traits and emotional struggles shown in the TV shows. There has been no official confirmation of Fred's sexuality, but actors from the live-action movies revealed that an early version of the film hinted at Fred being gay. Velma Dinkley, another character from Scooby-Doo, has also been discussed among fans as potentially being a lesbian, and there was an animated film that openly acknowledged her as such. Fred's sexuality, however, remains a mystery in the franchise.

Scooby-Doo is one of the most significant animated shows in the history of television, and has been entertaining millions of mystery-loving children around the world for decades (to this day). The original series, titled Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, was created by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears back in 1969 for Hanna-Barbera, and aired on CBS before moving...

Sarah Michelle Gellar poses with the Mystery Machine in a photo calling back to her role in Scooby-Doo and its sequel, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. Gellar portrayed Daphne in the 2002 live-action adaptation of Scooby-Doo and reprised her role for the second film in 2004. Both movies were directed by Raja Gosnell and written by the current co-ceo of DC Studios, James Gunn.

Recently, Sarah Michelle Gellar posted a photo of herself posing with the Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo on her Instagram page. Check out the image below:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sarah Michelle (@sarahmgellar)

Gellar captioned the image with "new (old) whip," a tongue-in-cheek reference to her role as Daphne. The sleek-looking Mystery Machine appears to be part of Universal Studios, given the pass around Gellar's neck.

Why Sarah Michelle Gellar's Daphne Is So Fondly Remembered

Animated versions of Daphne, such as her original portrayal in...

Hard as it is to believe, there have been 37 direct-to-video "Scooby-Doo" animated movies. This, of course, is not counting the live-action adaptations and several television specials and premieres. That's a lot of everyone's favorite scrappy, investigative dog. "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" premiered in 1969, when writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears developed the series for Hanna-Barbera Productions, the studio behind hits such as "The Flintstones," "The Jetsons," and "Josey and the Pussycats" (a personal favorite). The original series aired for two seasons, though the franchise has a storied history, spanning 14 different iterations, including the recent "Velma" for HBO.

"Scooby-Doo" has been an astronomical success — a mainstay of animated pop culture aficionados and casual fans alike. With so much material, it can be hard for newer fans to acclimate themselves to the long-running property. Which series should someone start with? Are the live-action adaptations any good? We'll be taking a look at...

Drew Barrymore dropped out of hosting the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards in solidarity with the writers strike. However, the opening bit that was pretaped before the WGA strike still aired during the telecast and Never Been Kissed fans were treated to the actor reprising her role of Josie Grossie.

Barrymore appeared in the segment dressed her character from the 1999 romantic comedy directed by Raja Gosnell sporting braces and a scrunchie.

“Today is the day Josie, you’re finally going to get that first kiss no matter what it takes,” Josie tells herself while looking into the mirror.

After applying some lip gloss, Josie then starts traveling across the TV and film universe landing first in a scene from Smile. Josie is then transported into the world of Nope where she interacts with Daniel Kaluuya’s character but doesn’t find her kiss.

Related: Jennifer Coolidge Acknowledges WGA Strike In 2023 MTV...

Rihanna has been cast in the voice role of Smurfette in a new live-action hybrid feature from Paramount Animation, “The Smurfs Movie.” The superstar made a surprise in-person appearance at CinemaCon, Las Vegas’ annual convention of movie theater owners, to make the announcement on Thursday.

“I tried to get the Papa Smurf role but It didn’t work out,” the singer joked on stage at Caesar’s Palace Hotel and Casino, alongside Paramount Animation head Ramsey Naito. It was revealed that Rihanna will star, write and record original songs, and produce the upcoming project. Clad in a stonewash denim cape, she also confirmed she is in her third trimester of pregnancy with her second child.

The film, according to Naito, will explore themes of identity and ask the central question, “What is a Smurf?”

Rihanna previously lent her voice to the DreamWorks animated feature “Home,” which grossed over $380 million at the worldwide box office.

Freddie Prinze Jr. wants you to know that he’s still mad about the live action “Scooby-Doo” movies.

The actor memorably played Fred in the 2002 film “Scooby-Doo” and its 2004 sequel “Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed.” While the two films have ascended to cult status in recent years, several members of the cast and crew have been vocal about their negative experiences with studio interference on the films.

Prinze added his name to the chorus of detractors in a recent interview with TooFab, explaining that what he perceived as dishonesty from Warner Bros. executives ruined the experience for him.

“There was too much bait-and-switch on the first one – the studio was not honest with me in any way, shape or form,” Prinze said. “I’ve been on two jobs where I had regret doing it and ‘Scooby’ was one of them.”

While the actor is his iconic role from “I Know What You Did Last Summer,...

Since taking on "Guardians of the Galaxy" in 2014, writer-director James Gunn has repeatedly expressed his deep ardor for each of these oddball characters who come together to form both a team and a family. They're misfits, and they look out for each other because the world plays rough with people of their offbeat ilk.

This is something Gunn knows firsthand. He cut his teeth as a screenwriter on Lloyd Kaufman's ultra-low-budget horror riff on the Bard, "Tromeo & Juliet," and found a small cult following thanks to his script for Craig Mazin's superhero comedy "The Specials." He stumbled commercially with his 2006 directorial debut, "Slither," and failed to find a wide-enough audience for his pitch-black superhero action comedy "Super." Though he had a solid reputation as a studio writer-for-hire via Raja Gosnell's "Scooby-Doo" movies and Zack Snyder's "Dawn of the Dead" remake, he was considered an acquired...

Scooby-Doo star Sarah Michelle Gellar reveals that a kiss between Daphne and Velma was cut from the film. The 2002 project, which was written by James Gunn and directed by Raja Gosnell, brought the iconic characters of the Scooby-Doo franchise to live-action. In addition to Gellar as Daphne, the cast featured Linda Cardellini as Velma, Freddie Prinze Jr. as Fred, and Matthew Lillard as Shaggy in an adventure that brought the gang to a mysterious new theme park known as Spooky Island, where not all is as it seems.

Gellar appeared on a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen while promoting her latest project, the Paramount+ series Wolf Pack.

During the conversation, Gellar addressed the rumor that Daphne was secretly dating Velma behind Fred's back in the original script. While she denied that fact, she admitted that there really was a kiss between the two that was cut,...

If you’re like many of us, the Home Alone movie franchise has been a comfort in times of need. Whether you’ve stumbled across these movies on TV late at night, or watched them every year since their original release back in 1990; these films have continuously delighted audiences over the last three decades.

Whether it’s been a while since your last viewing, or you want to watch them all in order, here’s a complete guide to the “Home Alone” movies in order – from the oldest to the newest – so you can get your nostalgia fix!

Viewers worldwide are constantly charmed by the “Home Alone” franchise, a timeless American classic. Its unique charm and heartwarming storylines have kept people coming back to watch time after time!

The “Home Alone” movie series was created by John Hughes and followed the misadventures of young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin).

The first movie,...

At the beginning of 2002’s Scooby-Doo, the Gang encounters their worst nightmare. No, not the Luna Ghost nor any of the other spookies they’ve uncovered in their long career as Mystery Incorporated. Rather, the movie begins with the Gang breaking up.

Of course, by the end of the movie, the team has reunited and put their differences besides them. Realizing that they work best as a team, the quintet learns how to share the glory. But in real life, the situation was far more fraught. In a recent interview with Esquire Magazine, Freddie Prinze Jr., who played team leader Fred alongside his wife Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne, revealed the drama behind the fictional Gang’s exploits.

The problems began when Prinze Jr. and his co-stars learned that they would not be making the movie they had intended, a PG-13 script by a post-Troma/pre-DC Studios James Gunn.

Freddie Prinze Jr. revealed in a recent Esquire interview that he grew furious with the “Scooby-Doo” franchise after he was asked to take a pay cut on the second film, 2004’s “Monsters Unleashed,” in order to boost the salaries of his co-stars. Prinze Jr. starred in both 2002’s “Scooby-Doo” and 2004’s “Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed” as Fred opposite Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne, Matthew Lillard as Shaggy and Linda Cardellini as Velma.

“I remember thinking, ‘Hold up, who’s giving them the raise? Me or y’all?’ Like we made you guys three-quarters of a billion dollars, you can’t afford to pay them what I’m making on this? Screw that,” Prinze Jr. said about being asked to take a pay cut on the sequel. The studio allegedly leaked his salary to the press in order to get him to comply, which killed any chance of Prinze Jr. returning for a third film.

Freddie Prinze Jr. is recalling a frustrating time in his acting career while he was signing up to star in the Scooby-Doo sequel. The actor revealed that the studio asked him to take a pay cut after his costars asked for a raise.

“I remember thinking, ‘Hold up, who’s giving them the raise? Me or y’all?’ Like we made you guys three-quarters of a billion dollars, you can’t afford to pay them what I’m making on this? Screw that,” he told Esquire.

The Scooby-Doo movie released in 2002 was written by James Gunn and directed by Raja Gosnell. According to data from IMDb Pro, the movie had a budget of 84 million and went on to gross 275 million worldwide.

Prinze played the role of Fred and his costars included Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne, Matthew Lillard as Shaggy and Linda Cardellini as Velma. The actor said that the...

Freddie Prinze Jr. is calling out the “Scooby-Doo” production almost two decades later.

The star of Warner Bros.’ 2004 “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” revealed that the studio asked him to take a pay cut so that his co-stars could receive raises.

“I remember thinking, ‘Hold up, who’s giving them the raise? Me or y’all?'” Prinze Jr. told Esquire. “Like we made you guys three-quarters of a billion dollars, you can’t afford to pay them what I’m making on this? Screw that.”

The “I Know What You Did Last Summer” alum alleged that the studio also disclosed his salary to the press in an effort to get him to agree. “My ego was so angry,” he said.

The 2002 original film “Scooby-Doo” grossed 275 million. Its sequel, “Monsters Unleashed,” landed 181 million at the box office.

Looking back, Prinze Jr. admitted that the “Scooby-Doo” films have their own lasting legacy with fans.

Click here to read the full article.

In early October, two weeks ahead of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s Oct. 18 physical release of Scooby-Doo Trick or Treat!, the animated feature had already drummed up a wave of online attention.

While watching the direct-to-video’s digital debut, eager fans learned the movie had done something only a few previous creators in the Scooby-Doo universe had publicly even attempted to do in the franchise’s five-decade history. Director Audie Harrison gave Velma a female love interest in Coco Diablo, the fashionista behind all those Scooby-Doo villains.

“The creation of Coco Diablo was at first just a nice way to streamline some of the ideas in the story, but we quickly realized the dramatic and comedic potential of Velma crushing on a villain,” says Harrison about the creative mechanisms behind queering Velma and her love interest. “The villainous head of the costume crime...

Since 1969, the "Scooby-Doo" franchise has been providing family-fun thrills and chills for generations, spawning spin-off cartoons, two live-action movies, video games, and countless animated films and specials. The Scooby Snack-loving dog and his mystery gang have a firm, loveable place in pop culture. The newest animated film, "Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!" made waves all over the internet for the past month for making a bold character choice, officially canonizing the loveable and brainy Velma Dinkley as a lesbian.

Directed by Audie Harrison of "Uncle Grandpa" fame, "Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!" is a Halloween special where the Scooby gang finds themselves in a mystery involving famous fashion designer Coco Diablo (Myrna Velasco), who Velma (Kate Micucci) develops feelings for. She blushes and dorkily smiles as she interacts with Coco, an adorable, cartoonish way of portraying a young crush. The clips of their interactions went viral, and fandom rejoiced over their newfound representation.

The “Scooby-Doo” universe is about to come back in a big way, but don’t expect Scooby-Doo to be involved. “Velma,” a new adult animated series that features Mindy Kaling as the voice of the titular character, promises to satisfy longtime fans of the cartoon series who want to pair their nostalgia with a more mature sense of humor. It features adult versions of the crew from the mystery machine, but in order to ensure that Velma is front and center, Scooby himself won’t be making any appearances.

Appearing on a panel for the show at New York Comic-Con (via Insider), showrunner Charlie Grandy explained that the decision to omit Scooby-Doo from the series was an attempt to differentiate the adult show from the family friendly property that inspired it.

“When we were going into the show and thinking about adapting it, we wanted to be respectful,” Grandy said.

Scooby-Doo has always walked a wobbly line between kid-friendly antics and grown-up gags. Although one of the many cartoon series Hanna-Barbara produced in the late ’60s and ’70s, complete with bubble-gum pop tunes and recycled animation, Scooby-Doo is fundamentally a horror show starring hippies. It didn’t take too much imagination to see why Scooby and Shaggy were always hungry. Even better, Scooby-Doo ended every episode by revealing that capitalism was the true monster, predating “elevated horror” by several decades.

With such a mixed history, it’s no surprise to learn that when Scooby-Doo got a live action, big-budget adaptation in the early 2000s, filmmakers had wanted to make the subtext text. And who better to help them than James Gunn, who got his big-budget start on the movie? Today, we know Gunn as the guy who made us empathize with an emotionally insecure murder racoon and mourn the tragedy befalling a mind-controlling space starfish.