After over fifty years captivating audiences, the Scooby-Doo franchise is set to embark on a new adventure with the upcoming Scooby-Doo: The Live Action Series, which is currently in development at Netflix. Originally premiering in September 1969, the iconic show Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! features a group of friends traveling in their distinctive Mystery Machine to solve spooky mysteries alongside their lovable Great Dane, Scooby-Doo. The series, known for its blend of late-’60s pop culture, whimsical ghostly settings, and endearing characters, quickly rose to prominence, establishing itself as one of the most beloved children’s franchises of all time—and it continues to thrive today.
The original series ran until 1976, but was soon followed by numerous reboots and spin-off series across the decades. As perhaps the most recognizable creation of Hanna-Barbera, there has been little downtime without a Scooby-Doo project since its inception, including various live-action adaptations. With Netflix’s latest initiative to revitalize the Mystery Inc. gang through live action, it promises to be a significant milestone for the franchise, potentially marking its most substantial success of the 2020s.
Latest News on Scooby-Doo: The Live-Action Series
Revealed Story Details for the Netflix Adaptation
Although intricate details remain a work in progress, Netflix has recently confirmed that the upcoming live-action adaptation will reboot the Scooby-Doo narrative yet again. Following nearly a year since the project’s announcement, the streaming platform has green-lighted an eight-episode series that aims to delve into the origins of the beloved Scooby gang. According to Peter Friedlander, Netflix’s VP of Scripted Series, the show is envisioned to open doors to “a world of groovy adventures for a new generation of meddling kids.” It appears evident that this latest iteration aims to reimagine the classic canon.
Peter Friedlander: Mystery, Inc. is back in business! We’re excited to bring Scooby-Doo to TV as a live-action series for the first time. The beloved franchise has had an impact on pop culture that is undeniable — it’s rich with universal themes of friendship that generations of fans have long embraced. Together with creative powerhouses Berlanti Productions and Midnight Radio, we’re committed to delighting longtime fans and opening up a world of groovy adventures for a new era of meddling kids.
Greg Berlanti: One of my first and favorite jobs in Hollywood was sitting with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera while they signed animation cells. Josh and Scott and everyone at Midnight Radio have crafted a story that captures their amazing spirits and their genius creation. We are grateful to them and everyone at Warners and Netflix for the partnership in helping bring this iteration of Scooby-Doo to life!
Clancy Collins White: We’re thrilled to collaborate with our longstanding partners at Berlanti Productions and with Midnight Radio to bring the legendary Scooby-Doo franchise to a live-action series for the first time. It’s no mystery why audiences continue to love these iconic characters after more than a half century. We’re excited for a new generation to discover Mystery Inc. And we’re grateful to our partners at Netflix for the opportunity.
Confirmation of the Live Action Series
Announcement Made in April 2024
This new endeavor comes as a welcomed surprise for devoted fans, particularly given the franchise’s fluctuating presence in the early 2020s. Netflix’s announcement of the live-action series in April 2024 represents yet another reinvention of the iconic characters to suit contemporary audiences. While precise details regarding Scooby-Doo: The Live Action Series are just starting to emerge, it has been confirmed that Riverdale producer Greg Berlanti will lead the project under Berlanti Productions for Warner Bros. Television.
Though Netflix made the project officially known in March 2025, concrete production details remain elusive, leaving fans curious about casting choices and shooting schedules.
Production Team Behind the Series
Involvement of Riverdale & Cowboy Bebop Creatives
While the cast has not yet been revealed, and there’s uncertainty about the return of classic villains, the behind-the-scenes team for Scooby-Doo: The Live Action Series is quite impressive. The project will be spearheaded by Greg Berlanti through Berlanti Productions, with writing duties entrusted to Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, known for their work on Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop.
This live-action adaptation is poised to take a tone akin to Berlanti’s work on Riverdale, which reinvented the Archie Comics world for a modern audience. Though specifics are still under wraps, it is widely believed that Netflix’s Scooby-Doo will adopt a darker narrative style than the cartoon original, reflecting Berlanti Productions’ tendency to target a more mature audience.
Overview of the Live-Action Franchise
Previous Live-Action Adaptations
The adventures of Scooby-Doo have largely been animated, but the franchise made its first foray into live action in 2002 with the successful theatrical release of Scooby-Doo, which rekindled interest in the series at the turn of the millennium. This was followed by a sequel, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, in 2004, before transitioning to made-for-TV movies such as Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins in 2009.
The franchise has seen a range of live-action titles, including:
| Movie | Release Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Scooby-Doo | 2002 | Theatrical Release |
| Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed | 2004 | Theatrical Release |
| Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins | 2009 | TV Movie |
| Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster | 2010 | TV Movie |
| Velma & Daphne | 2018 | Straight-To-Video |
Throughout the 2010s, several more TV movies and direct-to-video films have been produced, although on a much smaller scale compared to the earlier live-action successes. As reboots like Velma explore a more adult-oriented direction, it remains to be seen how Netflix’s Scooby-Doo: The Live Action Series will fit within this storied timeline. Nevertheless, the franchise has shown its adaptability in various formats, suggesting live-action could successfully capture the essence of the beloved characters.
Details on Story and Plot
A Prequel Exploring the Scooby Gang’s Beginnings
After an extended period of anticipation, crucial plot details for Netflix’s live-action series have finally emerged. The new show will serve as a prequel, returning to the origins of Mystery Inc. and investigating how its youthful members, alongside their Great Dane companion, formed their tight-knit detective team. Furthermore, it is suggested that the series will tone down some of the more child-friendly aspects typical of the original series, possibly introducing a darker narrative.
The official synopsis reveals:
During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne become rallying points in a chilling mystery involving a lonely Great Dane puppy that might have witnessed a supernatural murder. Joined by the sensible and analytical townie Velma, alongside the quirky yet charming newcomer Freddy, they embark on a gripping journey that drags them into a haunting nightmare, threatening to unravel their deepest secrets.
With a narrative revolving around murder, it’s evident that Scooby-Doo: The Live-Action Series is likely to align more with the tone found in Greg Berlanti’s Riverdale than with the traditionally light-hearted spirit of previous episodes. This approach could prove to be beneficial, enabling a modernized perspective while still appealing to existing fans. If executed with care, the live-action series could mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Scooby-Doo’s extensive legacy.