If you’re a fan of the goofy, lighthearted vibe of the live-action Scooby-Doo movies from the early 2000s, you’re probably always on the lookout for similar films to enjoy. Scooby-Doo (2002) and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004) starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar captured the silly charm of the classic cartoon with over-the-top humor, colorful characters, and just the right amount of spookiness.
While nothing can quite replicate the magic of Mystery Inc. on the big screen, there are plenty of other movies out there with a comparable feel that are perfect for a family movie night or when you need a dose of goofy, nostalgic fun. I’ve rounded up 20 of the best movies like the live-action Scooby-Doo films to add to your watch list. Get ready to laugh, smile, and maybe jump a few times!
1. The Addams Family (1991) & Addams Family Values (1993)
The Addams Family movies from the 90s are quirky dark comedies about a bizarre family who are oblivious to how strange and macabre they are. With an all-star cast including Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, and Christina Ricci, these films are endlessly quotable and the ultimate in campy fun. Addams Family Values is especially hilarious. Wednesday’s line “We just want to play with him. Especially his head,” still cracks me up.
2. Casper (1995)
A young Christina Ricci also stars in this sweet supernatural comedy about a friendly young ghost who falls for a teenage girl (Ricci). The special effects are impressive for the time and it has just the right balance of laughs, heart, and mild scares, similar to the Scooby-Doo movies. Bill Pullman, Cathy Moriarty, and Eric Idle round out the cast.
3. The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Another spooky family comedy based on a famous property, this one takes inspiration from the classic Disney parks ride. Eddie Murphy stars as a workaholic realtor who gets trapped in a haunted mansion with his family. Expect silly slapstick, elaborate special effects, and lighthearted chills. The Haunted Mansion has the same goofy, adventurous spirit as the Scooby-Doo films.
4. Goosebumps (2015)
This recent film adaptation of R.L. Stine’s bestselling kids’ horror novels feels like a scarier, more action-packed Scooby-Doo movie. When a teenage boy accidentally unleashes all the monsters from the Goosebumps books, he has to team up with R.L. Stine (played by Jack Black) to save his town. It’s silly, meta, and monstrously entertaining. As a bonus, there are tons of Goosebumps books to read if your kids want to explore more after the movie.
5. Hocus Pocus (1993)
Hocus Pocus has become a Halloween cult classic for good reason. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy make a delightfully wicked comedic trio as three witches resurrected in modern-day Salem. They wreak havoc as they try to achieve immortality, opposed by three kids and a talking cat. While a bit darker than Scooby-Doo, it has the same silly supernatural antics and is perfect for spooky season.
6. The Goonies (1985)
The Goonies is the ultimate kids’ adventure movie. When a group of misfit friends discover an old treasure map, they set out to find the legendary pirate treasure of One-Eyed Willy and save their homes from foreclosure. Along the way they have to navigate booby traps and evade a dangerous crime family. It’s a classic for its memorable characters, quotable dialogue, and childlike sense of wonder.
7. Jumanji (1995) & Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)
The Jumanji movies have the same fun, adventurous feel as the Scooby-Doo films with more intense action sequences. The original follows two kids who get trapped inside a magical board game, while the more recent sequel transports four teens into a dangerous video game world. Both have charismatic ensemble casts, thrilling visuals, and exciting plots that will keep the whole family on the edge of their seats.
8. Night at the Museum (2006)
Have you ever wondered what happens in a museum after dark? According to Night at the Museum, the exhibits come to life! Ben Stiller plays a night security guard at the Museum of Natural History who has to wrangle a T-Rex skeleton, miniature cowboys, and other historical figures that turn animate at night. It’s a wild, imaginative adventure with slapstick humor and a touch of historical education too.
9. Spy Kids (2001)
Before Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Robert Rodriguez directed this family-friendly espionage movie with a Latin twist. Two kids have to rescue their secret agent parents from an evil mastermind, using high-tech gadgets. From the elaborate sets to the tongue-in-cheek humor, Spy Kids is stylish, action-packed, and doesn’t take itself too seriously, much like the Scooby gang’s adventures.
10. Ghostbusters (1984)
While more adult than Scooby-Doo, the original Ghostbusters still has lots of silly humor, memorable characters, and cool ghostly special effects that kids can enjoy too. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis make an iconic comedic trio as parapsychology professors who go into the ghost-catching business. It’s a classic for a reason and essential viewing for any family movie night.
11. Beetlejuice (1988)
Beetlejuice is a wild supernatural comedy with Tim Burton’s signature visual flair. A recently deceased couple tries to scare away the new owners of their home, but their efforts backfire when they accidentally summon a rude, crude “bio-exorcist” ghost named Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton). Keaton’s manic performance alone makes this worth watching, but the German Expressionist inspired sets and Harry Belafonte soundtrack also add to the film’s quirky charm.
12. The Mummy (1999)
While The Mummy has much more intense action and horror than Scooby-Doo, it still keeps things pretty family-friendly and lighthearted overall. Brendan Fraser leads a charismatic cast in this Indiana Jones-esque adventure about a group of treasure hunters who accidentally awaken a cursed Egyptian priest. It’s a romping good time with impressive set pieces, memorable characters, and a classic romance.
13. Labyrinth (1986)
Jim Henson’s cult classic Labyrinth combines his signature puppets with a fun coming-of-age adventure. Teen Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) has to navigate a magical labyrinth to rescue her baby brother from the Goblin King, played by a singing, dancing David Bowie in gloriously campy form. With riddles, musical numbers, and creatures galore, it captures a similar sense of an ordinary teen thrown into a colorful fantasy world.
14. The Princess Bride (1987)
This beloved fairy tale comedy has the same goofy, good-natured sense of humor as the Scooby-Doo movies. When a farmhand (Cary Elwes) must rescue his true love Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) from an evil prince, high jinks ensue. Silly characters like Miracle Max and Inigo Montoya, endlessly quotable dialogue, and a sweet framing story make this a true family film for the ages.
15. Shrek (2001)
Shrek is a clever animated comedy that parodies classic fairy tales with plenty of jokes for both kids and adults. A grumpy ogre (Mike Myers) has to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) from a dragon-guarded tower in order to get his swamp back. But there are plenty of twists along the way in this cheeky, heartwarming adventure. The voice cast, pop culture references, and subversive humor make it a family favorite.
16. Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)
This underrated Dreamworks animated sci-fi comedy has the same goofy ensemble vibe as Scooby-Doo. When a meteorite turns Susan (Reese Witherspoon) into a giant, she gets sent to a secret government facility for monsters. But when aliens attack, she has to lead her fellow monsters to save the world. The voice cast is stacked, the animation is colorful, and the jokes and action are non-stop.
17. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
The world of Wallace and Gromit is charmingly British and delightfully silly, just like the hijinks of Mystery Inc. In their feature film debut, the cheese-loving inventor and his long-suffering dog have to stop a giant rabbit from terrorizing their town’s vegetable gardens. The Claymation animation is impressive and the dry humor is a hoot for all ages. It’s a clever, cozy mystery with plenty of slapstick and heart.
18. The Incredibles (2004)
The Incredibles is a bit more intense and action-heavy than Scooby-Doo, but it has the same focus on teamwork and a fun supernatural world. When a superhero family comes out of hiding to stop an evil villain, they have to learn to work together and embrace their powers. The retro-cool animation style, jazzy score, and family dynamics make it an all-time Pixar classic that’s perfect for family viewing.
19. Coraline (2009)
For a spookier, more surreal animated adventure, check out Coraline. The stop-motion animation is hauntingly beautiful as it tells the story of a girl who discovers an alternate version of her life through a secret door. But this other world holds dark secrets. It’s creepier and more mature than Scooby-Doo, but tweens and teens who like atmospheric fantasy will be enchanted.
20. Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
The latest film in the Ghostbusters franchise returns to the series’ family-friendly roots with a new generation of ghost-catching heroes. When a single mom and her two kids move to a small town, they discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and have to save the world from a ghostly threat. It’s a sweet, nostalgic sequel that passes the proton pack to a younger cast, with plenty of callbacks for fans of the original.
So there you have it – 20 groovy movies to give you that Scooby-Doo mystery vibe! Whether you want something spooky, silly, or a mix of both, one of these fun family films is sure to satisfy. Gather some Scooby Snacks and get watching! And let me know in the comments what other movies remind you of the Scooby-Doo franchise. I’m always looking for new recommendations to add to my own marathon list. Happy viewing!
