Top 10 Scooby-Doo Movies and Episodes for Halloween

This isn’t just a great Halloween movie; it’s arguably the greatest Scooby-Doo movie ever made. Zombie Island marked a turning point for the franchise, adopting a darker, more mature tone. The gang, older and split up, reunites to investigate a haunted island in New Orleans, hoping to find a real supernatural mystery. They get more than they bargained for. The iconic line, “The ghosts are real?!” sets the stage for a legitimately scary adventure with genuine zombies, voodoo magic, and a shocking twist. The bayou setting is perfectly atmospheric, and the story remains one of the most compelling in the franchise’s history, making it the ultimate Halloween watch.

2. “The Headless Horseman of Halloween” (The Scooby-Doo Show, 1976)

This episode is Halloween distilled into a 22-minute classic. The gang attends a Halloween party at Crane Manor in Sleepy Hollow on the very night the infamous Headless Horseman is set to return. Featuring Scooby’s lovably dim-witted cousin, Scooby-Dum, this episode is packed with iconic Halloween imagery. The villain is genuinely menacing, the setting is perfectly spooky, and the mystery surrounding a stolen necklace of diamonds keeps you guessing. It’s a perfect slice of 70s Hanna-Barbera animation that has become required viewing for the season.

3. Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost (1999)

Following the success of Zombie Island, this film continued the trend of darker stories with real stakes. The gang travels to the New England town of Oakhaven to meet horror author Ben Ravencroft (voiced by the legendary Tim Curry). The mystery involves the ghost of Ravencroft’s ancestor, a witch named Sarah. This movie is famous for introducing the world to the Hex Girls, the eco-goth rock band that became instant fan favorites. With a New England autumn setting, a legitimately threatening villain, and a soundtrack that still holds up, Witch’s Ghost is a quintessential fall classic.

4. Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School (1988)

A true gem from the 80s, Ghoul School sees Shaggy, Scooby, and Scrappy-Doo mistakenly hired as gym teachers at Miss Grimwood’s Finishing School for Girls. The twist? The students are the daughters of classic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolfman, and the Mummy. This movie flips the formula on its head, as the gang must protect the lovable ghoul girls from the evil witch Revolta. It’s a charming, fun-filled romp that celebrates classic movie monsters and is perfect for younger viewers who want Halloween fun without the frights.

5. “To Switch a Witch” (Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, 1970)

One of the darkest and most atmospheric episodes of the original series, “To Switch a Witch” takes the gang to Salem, Massachusetts, on Halloween night. They discover a town gripped by fear of a witch’s ghost, a vengeful spirit from the infamous witch trials. The episode is surprisingly grim, referencing the real-life history of Salem and featuring a genuinely creepy villain. The mystery, which involves a case of mistaken identity with a descendant of the witch, makes for a classic and eerie adventure that feels perfect for a spooky night.

6. Scooby-Doo! and the Goblin King (2008)

If you’re looking for a film that fully embraces the magical, fantastical side of Halloween, The Goblin King is your pick. When a phony magician steals a fairy’s magic, Shaggy and Scooby are transported to a Halloween world to stop him from becoming the all-powerful Goblin King. This movie is a wild, imaginative ride, featuring werewolves, the Headless Horseman, and a trio of quirky witches. While Fred, Daphne, and Velma take a backseat, the film’s whimsical and colorful depiction of a world powered by Halloween magic makes it a unique and delightful watch.

7. “A Scooby-Doo Halloween” (What’s New, Scooby-Doo?, 2002)

This episode perfectly captures the feeling of Halloween in a modern suburban town. The gang visits Velma’s family in Banning Junction for the town’s annual Halloween party, only to find it’s been overrun by menacing, living scarecrows. This episode is packed with fun Halloween details, including a guest appearance by the band KISS, who perform during the chase scene. The scarecrow villains are surprisingly creepy, and the story, centered on the ghost of the town’s founder, feels like a classic mystery with a modern twist.

8. “A Halloween Hassle at Dracula’s Castle” (The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries, 1984)

In another fun reversal of the classic formula, the gang is invited to a Halloween costume party at Dracula’s castle, only to find their hosts are the real classic monsters. But this time, the monsters need their help to get rid of a ghost that is haunting their castle. This two-part episode is a blast, reuniting the full Mystery Inc. gang after they had been separated for some of the Scrappy-Doo years. Seeing Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and a Mummy as the terrified victims is a hilarious twist that makes this a memorable Halloween special.

9. Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo! (2020)

This modern movie throws everything at the wall, and it sticks. Mystery Inc. teams up with Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and Bill Nye the Science Guy to solve the mystery of monstrous, ooze-filled pumpkins that are terrorizing Crystal Cove on Halloween. The film is a high-energy chase from start to finish, featuring Batman villain The Scarecrow (Dr. Jonathan Crane) as a key figure. It’s a love letter to the franchise and the holiday, packed with references, humor, and non-stop action that perfectly captures the chaotic fun of Halloween night.

10. Scooby-Doo and the Spooky Scarecrow (2013)

Sometimes, all you need is a classic, creepy monster in a spooky setting. This 22-minute special delivers just that. The gang’s trip to a small town’s Halloween harvest festival is interrupted by the legend of Cornfield Clem, a terrifying scarecrow who has come to life. The cornfield maze setting is incredibly effective, creating a claustrophobic and tense atmosphere. The design of the scarecrow, with its razor-sharp scythe, makes it one of the more memorable modern villains. It’s a short, simple, and spooky adventure that is perfect for a quick Halloween treat.