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Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed

Play trailer 1:49 Poster for Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed PG 2004 1h 33m Kids & Family Comedy Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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22% Tomatometer 117 Reviews 42% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
In this live-action sequel, the lovable dog Scooby-Doo once again joins his pals Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), Velma (Linda Cardellini), Fred (Freddie Prinze Jr.) and Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar) as they stumble into another seemingly supernatural mystery. In addition to facing off against various monsters that are tormenting their town, the gang must deal with television journalist Heather Jasper-Howe (Alicia Silverstone), who is out to discredit their investigations.
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Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed

Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed

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Critics Consensus

Only the very young will get the most out of this silly trifle.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Milder than the 1st, but not Scooby-snack worthy. Rated: 2/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com Well, I am now quite positive pigs have started earning their wings and Beelzebub is down in Hades having a snowball fight for the impossible just happened: I sort of liked Scooby-Doo 2. Rated: 2.5/4 Apr 3, 2004 Full Review Tim Cogshell Boxoffice Magazine It's all a terrible bore. Rated: 2.5/5 Apr 3, 2004 Full Review Trace Thurman Horror Queers Podcast No one is going to call Scooby-Doo 2 high art, but thanks to some outstanding production design and an even tighter grasp on the source material than the original film had, it's a treasure trove for fans. Rated: 4/5 Mar 25, 2024 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com I can't say that I'm hoping for a long series of these films, but I've seen far worse sequels than this one. Rated: 2.0/4.0 Sep 22, 2020 Full Review Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News Scooby Doo 2 is loud and colorful and does have Matthew Lillard doing an impressive impersonation of Scoobys best pal Shaggy, but theres really not much else going on. Rated: D- Nov 16, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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TheMovieSearch R When revisiting Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, it becomes immediately clear that this is not a film striving for cinematic greatness. The movie openly embraces its chaotic, hyper-stylized energy, leaning into an exaggerated tone that often borders on absurd. Yet it is precisely this over-the-top quality that has given the film a strange staying power. As flawed as it is, the movie remains undeniably watchable because it leans confidently into its own brand of camp, inviting viewers to enjoy the spectacle rather than critique the logic. A great deal of the film’s charm comes from the cast, who bring an unwavering commitment to their roles. Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar embody Fred and Daphne with a level of sincerity and chemistry that elevates every scene they’re in. Their portrayals are so effortless and specific that it becomes difficult to imagine anyone else stepping into those iconic shoes. Even as the film spirals into cartoonish mayhem, their dedication grounds the characters in a way that honors the original animated personalities. Linda Cardellini and Matthew Lillard deliver equally pitch-perfect performances as Velma and Shaggy. Cardellini captures Velma’s brilliance and awkward charm with striking authenticity, while Lillard’s performance remains one of the most accurate live-action depictions of a cartoon character ever put to screen. Their dynamic, along with the presence of a CGI Scooby who is far more charming than the special effects should allow, keeps the spirit of Mystery Inc. intact even when the screenplay dips into full-blown absurdity. The film also benefits from its playful cameos and supporting cast additions. Ruben Studdard’s brief appearance is an amusing artifact of early-2000s pop culture, while Seth Green’s involvement brings a surprising dose of comedic stability to an otherwise wildly chaotic narrative. These choices reflect a clever, if somewhat gimmicky, awareness of the audience the movie was targeting at the time. Of course, none of this means that Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed escapes criticism. The screenplay is flimsy, the humor is frequently juvenile, and the plot feels constructed more around gags than coherence. Yet—even with these deficiencies—the film maintains an undeniable entertainment value. Its flaws become part of the charm, echoing the campiness and silliness of classic Scooby-Doo cartoons, which were never grounded in realism to begin with. Ultimately, the movie succeeds not because it is well-crafted, but because it captures the goofy, mystery-driven essence that fans associate with the franchise. It may be messy, loud, and intentionally ridiculous, but it delivers exactly what a nostalgia-fueled Scooby-Doo adventure should: familiar characters, ludicrous monsters, wild chase sequences, and a warm-hearted devotion to the Mystery Machine family. It’s far from perfect, but it remains an irresistibly fun watch for anyone willing to embrace its infectious, chaotic spirit. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/30/25 Full Review Jesus B Nada impresionante, si bien los actores siguen siendo excelentes para los roles, me parece que en esta ocasión, quienes no dieron el ancho fueron los escritores y los encargados de efectos especiales. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/15/25 Full Review Nathan J. Rating: 5.5/10 Scooby-Doo 2 is a marginal improvement over the first film, with a more focused and family-friendly tone. While it's still a goofy, cringeworthy, and CGI-heavy mess, the film leans into nostalgic monster-filled fun and provides a decent arc for Shaggy and Scooby. Highlights - Fun Premise: The screenplay has a fantastic and fun premise, with the gang's classic foes returning as real monsters. - Perfect Performances: Matthew Lillard and Linda Cardellini continue to shine as Shaggy and Velma, bringing heart and soul to the film. - Nostalgic Delight: The film is a pure nostalgia-fest for fans of the original cartoon, with iconic monsters brought to life. Criticisms - Poor CGI: The CGI has aged poorly, with monsters and Scooby-Doo looking weightless and unconvincing. - Predictable Twist: The film's "shocking twist" is predictable and not particularly clever. - Brainless Humor: The film's humor is still low-brow and juvenile, failing to be genuinely clever or funny for adult audiences. Verdict Scooby-Doo 2 is a dumb but harmless and occasionally fun nostalgia trip. It's a slight improvement over the first film, with a better premise and clearer tone, but it's still a clunky mess saved by Matthew Lillard's perfect performance as Shaggy. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/25/25 Full Review matthias s Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed is a weird, campy, but strangely charming ride down memory lane. Watching it as a six-year-old in theaters with my mom is a memory I’ll never forget, and revisiting it now still hits that nostalgic sweet spot. The cast is perfect—everyone just nails their cartoon-inspired personas—and seeing all those classic villains brought to life is a treat. Sure, the CGI is hilariously dated, but it doesn’t ruin the fun; if anything, it adds to the goofy charm. The story and worldbuilding are bigger than the first movie, making it feel like a love letter to the original cartoons. I’ll always hope James Gunn eventually gives us Scooby-Doo 3. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/23/25 Full Review Horror fan 4 A great call back to some of the most popular episodes with interesting ghosts. Tim Treakle Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/02/25 Full Review Andrew A. Ruh roh, this was not as good as the first. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 10/09/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis In this live-action sequel, the lovable dog Scooby-Doo once again joins his pals Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), Velma (Linda Cardellini), Fred (Freddie Prinze Jr.) and Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar) as they stumble into another seemingly supernatural mystery. In addition to facing off against various monsters that are tormenting their town, the gang must deal with television journalist Heather Jasper-Howe (Alicia Silverstone), who is out to discredit their investigations.
Director
Raja Gosnell
Producer
Richard Suckle, Charles Roven
Screenwriter
William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, James Gunn
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Brothers, Mosaic Media Group
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 20, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$84.2M
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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