23 Years Later, James Gunn’s Forgotten Cult-Classic Makes an Unexpected Comeback on Streaming

James Gunn is now famous for revitalizing the DC Universe with *Superman* and creating the popular *Guardians of the Galaxy* trilogy. However, before he worked on superhero films, he began his career by adapting a well-loved spooky franchise. As Halloween approaches and horror movies become popular again, Gunn’s lesser-known cult classic is a great choice for those who enjoy the Halloween spirit but prefer something less scary. We’re talking about his live-action *Scooby-Doo* movie, which is currently gaining popularity on streaming platforms.

After more than two decades, the live-action *Scooby-Doo* movie is now available to stream on HBO Max, where it’s currently the sixth most popular film. Released in 2002, the movie has become a beloved classic for many. James Gunn co-wrote the script with Craig Titley and Raja Gosnell, who also directed. The actors – Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne, Freddie Prinze Jr. as Fred, and Linda Cardellini as Velma – have become strongly associated with their roles. Here’s what the movie is about:

Two years after a falling-out caused the Mystery Inc. gang to split up, Scooby-Doo and his friends – Fred, Daphne, Shaggy, and Velma – each receive a summons to Spooky Island. They’re asked to look into strange, possibly supernatural events happening at the popular Spring Break destination.

While the 2002 *Scooby-Doo* movie received negative reviews from critics (32% on Rotten Tomatoes) and wasn’t a hit with audiences initially (40% rating), it’s become a beloved cult classic thanks to the internet. Memes, memorable lines, strong casting choices, and even its infamous deleted scenes have all contributed to the film’s enduring popularity.

Will ‘Scooby-Doo 3’ Ever Happen?


Warner Bros. Pictures

Even though critics didn’t love it, the first *Scooby-Doo* movie was very successful financially, earning over $275 million globally on an $84 million budget. Because of this success, Warner Bros. decided to make a second film. Two years later, *Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed* was released, with James Gunn and director Raja Gosnell returning. The original cast all reprised their roles, and Seth Green and Alicia Silverstone joined them for the sequel.

Critics disliked *Scooby-Doo 2* even more than the first movie, giving it a low 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. General audiences weren’t much happier either, scoring it 42% on the site. While the film earned $181 million in theaters, it didn’t reach the blockbuster heights Warner Bros. had expected.

Because *Scooby-Doo 2* didn’t make much money, Warner Bros. quickly decided not to make a third movie. Even though fans have been hoping for *Scooby-Doo 3* for twenty years, there’s been no talk of the original cast getting back together.

Read More

2025-10-16 17:12