Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost (2018)

Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost is a delightfully offbeat entry in the franchise that mixes classic whodunit comfort with a surprisingly tasty culinary twist, turning a haunted-inn mystery into a playful foodie adventure. The vibe is light, breezy, and family-friendly—more “cozy campfire story” than nightmare—peppered with silly scares, slapstick chaos, and the warm familiarity of the gang doing what they do best. Celebrity-chef cameos and a resort setting give the movie a fresh flavor without drowning out the simple pleasures: spooky atmosphere, clever clues, and Scooby and Shaggy’s eternal talent for making trouble look like a hobby. If you want hard-edged scares or a deeply complex mystery, this isn’t that—but if you’re on the fence and crave an easy, cheerful Scooby caper with extra garnish, it’s an inviting watch.

Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost is clearly aiming for a comfy, kid-friendly mystery with a food-network gimmick, sprinkling in celebrity-chef cameos and the gang’s usual chase-and-unmask routine. The problem is the novelty wears thin fast, and the plot leans on noisy “peril” set pieces—malfunctions, fires, flashing lights, and a fairly aggressive-looking ghost—more than genuinely clever sleuthing. If you’re hoping for a super-light, cozy Scooby outing for very sensitive younger kids, the scares and chaos may feel a bit much even if nothing is truly intense. Still, it’s harmless fun for fans who like the franchise on autopilot and don’t mind the mystery taking a back seat to themed antics.