The Scooby-Doo franchise has been a source of fun and fright for viewers since the original series premiered in 1969. The Mystery Inc. gang, which includes Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, Fred, and sometimes Scrappy-Doo, has been stopping creepy villains in their tracks for over 50 years. With 13 different shows to choose from, there's no shortage of spooky Scooby-Doo episodes to watch this Halloween season.
From ghosts to vampires to possessed hamburgers, the show can be both funny and scary. Although almost every episode brings some chilling creeps, there are a few episodes that have an extra spooky energy. These episodes are perfect for the Halloween season. Scooby-Doo fans won't want to miss out on these nostalgic, amusing, and creepy episodes.
10 "Spooky Space Kook" Lives Up to Its Name
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
The very first Scooby-Doo series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, maintains its reputation as one of the Mystery Inc.'s scariest tales. Episode 15, "Spooky Space Kook," offers a classic horror set-up: a group of people is stuck in a car that's about to run out of gas.
The gang is forced to hop out of their iconic Mystery Machine and ends up in an abandoned airfield where typical Scooby-Doo chaos ensues. With a scary villain, classic horror tropes, and even a recurring evil laugh, "Spooky Space Kook" is a great episode to settle into for Halloween.
9 "The Gathering Gloom" Stars A Scary Graveyard Ghoul
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
There are few things spookier than a haunted cemetery. "The Gathering Gloom" of Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated is set in a graveyard that's plagued by a relentless ghoul. The prime suspect is a grave digger who bears a creepy resemblance to the monster at the center of the story.
With a complicated mystery and one of the show's scariest monsters, this episode of Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated is both frightening and thought-provoking. A surprising twist and a fun chase sequence bring the kind of creepy satisfaction viewers expect this spooky season.
8 "The Night Ghoul Of Wonderworld" Is Full Of Fun References
Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo
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In Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, "The Night Ghoul of Wonderworld" includes references to Sherlock Holmes, Jurassic Park, and even Fantasy Island. However, the episode's central reference is the classic 1977 sci-fi film Westworld where tourists enter a virtual version of a Western film.
In the episode, the Mystery Inc. gang enters the virtual world of Sherlock Holmes where they've got to fight off a terrifying old man with glowing red eyes. There's also a spooky interpretation of London and a clever use of Big Ben to catch their culprit. This is a subversive and scary installment of Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo.
7 "A Scooby-Doo Halloween" Features A Halloween Festival
What's New, Scooby-Doo?
There are plenty of scary Scooby-Doo episodes, but Halloween-themed episodes have a special element of holiday fun. "A Scooby-Doo Halloween" depicts the gang as they venture to Banning Junction, a town filled with cornfields and eerie scarecrows, to celebrate Halloween with Velma's family.
When the gang arrives, they discover that it's the town's 100th Halloween festival where the infamous rock band KISS is performing, but an army of living scarecrows ruins the festivities. It wouldn't be a Halloween episode if the scarecrows didn't have pumpkins for heads, providing some extra Halloween fun.
6 "A Halloween Hassle At Dracula's Castle" Has Every Monster Imaginable
The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries
Another Halloween episode sees Mystery Inc. at a party with every Halloween monster there is. For example, Frankenstein, Dracula, and Igor make an appearance in this episode of The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries. However, these creatures aren't hostile toward the mystery gang. Instead, they ask for help to get rid of a poltergeist that's haunting Dracula's castle.
"A Halloween Hassle At Dracula's Castle" includes a magic wand, a dungeon, and nostalgic '80s animation, along with a fun plot twist at the end. The episode is a classic throwback episode with plenty of famous Halloween characters and is sure to get viewers in the spooky spirit.
5 "Night Of The Living Burger" Is Silly Yet Scary
A Pup Named Scooby-Doo
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If viewers are tired of vampires and ghouls, they'll find an unexpectedly spooky monster in episode 205 of A Pup Named Scooby-Doo. "Night of the Living Burger" features a giant, possessed hamburger that won't stop terrorizing a local restaurant. With sharp fangs, crab-like legs, and an angry expression, the burger monster is both funny and a little frightening.
A Pup Named Scooby-Doo depicts the gang as little kids, giving the show a goofy and irreverent tone. If viewers want something with less horror and more humor, "Night of the Living Burger" might be the right choice.
4 "To Switch A Witch" Mixes Scooby With Salem
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
Season 3, Episode 4 of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! brings the Mystery Inc. gang to Salem, Massachusets. As they enter the city, they are warned by a town squire to stay away, but they head right in to visit their friend Arlene.
Throughout "To Switch a Witch," the gang visits the Salem Witchcraft Museum and even gets chased by an angry mob of townspeople. Scooby endures some terrifying water torture and there are plenty of creepy graveyard scenes. Surprisingly dark and full of witchcraft, "To Switch a Witch" is perfect for spook-seekers.
3 "Escape From Mystery Manor" Sets A Spooky Tone
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
When the Mystery Inc. gang attempts to find an old mansion that's been submerged underground, they succeed. However, in "Escape from Mystery Manor," the crime-fighting gang gets stuck in the mansion and they have to solve multiple traps to escape. Their journey back to above-ground is made even more difficult when they're suddenly chased by a zombie-like old man.
This Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode has lots of fun and unique predicaments for the gang, as well as an extra creepy villain. Plus, an abandoned old mansion is one of the spookiest settings of all.
2 "A Clue For Scooby-Doo" Creates Chills
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
Another installment of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! brings viewers back to the Mystery Inc. gang's spooky origins. "A Clue For Scooby-Doo" also features a famously creepy glowing sailor. This eerie character is believed to be the deceased seaman Captain Cutler, who was raised from the dead by his witchy wife.
Captain Cutler is one of the earliest villains in the Scooby-Doo franchise. If viewers are looking for something on the scary side, "A Clue For Scooby-Doo" is sure to provide a good spook.
1 "The Headless Horseman Of Halloween" Is A Spooky Classic
The Scooby-Doo Show
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This Halloween episode of The Scooby-Doo Show is one of the franchise's most iconic. Taking inspiration from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, "The Headless Horseman of Halloween" pits the gang against a "headless" horseman who has a jack-o-lantern where his head should be.
"The Headless Horseman of Halloween" brings nostalgic 1970s animation and a classically spooky villain. The episode is full of creepy moments without being too scary. It's perfect for fans who want a fun, familiar Scooby-Doo favorite with just the right amount of Halloween spirit.