Scooby-Doo 2002

As the dust settles on their latest triumph, the Mystery Inc. gang’s internal dynamics begin to unravel like a threadbare cloak. Fred (Freddie Prinze Jr.), consumed by an insatiable desire for glory, Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar), weary of playing the damsel in distress, and Velma (Linda Cardellini), tired of having her intellectual prowess overlooked, find themselves at odds over their approach to mystery-solving. The lack of discipline that led to the capture of the Luna Ghost – a feat largely attributed to Scooby (Matthew Lillard) and Shaggy’s unorthodox methods – serves as a stark reminder of the gang’s inability to work together harmoniously.

The tension culminates with Fred’s revelation that the enigmatic Luna was, in fact, Old Man Smithers, who harbored an infatuation for Daphne. This bombshell prompts the gang to disband, leaving Scooby and Shaggy to care for the Mystery Machine like a pair of wayward siblings.

Two years pass, and the opportunity arises for the gang to reunite when Emile Mondavarious (Rowan Atkinson), the eccentric owner of Spooky Island, invites them to investigate a series of bizarre occurrences plaguing his horror-themed tropical resort. As thousands of teenagers descend upon the island each year, only to depart with an unsettling air of propriety, the Mystery Inc. gang is faced with the prospect of reuniting and solving the mystery that has taken hold.

However, their individual pursuits have taken a different turn. Fred has become a self-proclaimed celebrity, touting his latest book on the talk circuit; Velma has traded her detective skills for a role in developing advanced missile defense systems at NASA; and Daphne has transformed herself into a formidable force, boasting a black belt and an impressive physical prowess.

Meanwhile, Shaggy’s attention is diverted by Mary Jane (Isla Fisher), a charming young woman with an unfortunate allergy to dogs – a circumstance that finds him growing increasingly distant from his loyal companion, Scooby. A distinctive sneeze serves as a poignant reminder of the duo’s once-tight bond.

In a tantalizing trap, Scooby is waylaid by an enigmatic stranger promising hamburgers, only to find himself pitted against a malevolent demon. Through cunning and quick reflexes, he manages to outmaneuver his foe and escape the forest.

Meanwhile, the gang members are drawn individually into the resort’s haunted house attraction, where they’re forced to navigate treacherous obstacles and confront their deepest fears. As tensions simmer beneath the surface, Fred, Daphne, and Velma eventually put aside their differences, opting instead to split up and search for clues in the hopes of unraveling the mystery.

However, things take a dark turn as hidden demons within the haunted house spring to life, activating the rides and putting the gang’s lives at risk. Through sheer luck and quick thinking, Fred stumbles upon the control room, successfully shutting down the deadly attractions.

As they delve deeper into the haunted house, Velma uncovers a disturbing film designed to indoctrinate inhuman creatures with human culture, while Daphne stumbles upon an ancient artifact known as the “Daemon Ritus.” Velma’s keen mind deduces that the haunted house is, in fact, a brainwashing facility for a secret cult.

Later, at the resort’s hotel, Fred, Velma, and Mondavarious are kidnapped and subsequently possessed by the island’s demons. Mary Jane, desperate to escape the clutches of evil, makes a futile attempt to call the Coast Guard for help, only to discover that even these supposed saviors have fallen under the influence of the demons.

As chaos erupts, Shaggy, Daphne, and Mary find themselves face-to-face with possessed Fred, whose memories of their ordeal are eerily erased. A desperate battle ensues as Fred, now a vessel for malevolent forces, attacks his former friends.

In a daring escape, Scooby and Shaggy flee the resort on Quad bikes, reuniting with Mary along the way. However, their joy is short-lived, as they soon realize that Mary has been masquerading as a demon in disguise. The revelation sparks a falling-out between Shaggy and Mary, culminating in Scooby’s disappearance.

In the aftermath, Zarkos pilfers the Daemon Ritus from Daphne’s grasp, rendering her powerless and possessed. With time running out, Shaggy embarks on a perilous quest to rescue his friends, ultimately stumbling upon a vat of protoplasm containing the trapped souls of those under demonic control.

With unwavering determination, he frees the imprisoned spirits of Daphne, Fred, and Velma, only to watch as they return to their physical bodies, banishing the demons that had taken residence. As the sun rises, the gang discovers the shocking truth: sunlight is the key to defeating the demons, rendering them vulnerable and ultimately powerless.

As the voodoo priest (Miguel A. Nunez Jr.) on Spooky Island reveals the sinister plan of the demons, the gang finally grasps the true extent of their predicament. It becomes apparent that Mondavarious’ seemingly benevolent intentions were merely a ruse to facilitate the “Darpokalypse” Ritual, which would have granted the demons an unparalleled reign over the world for a staggering 10,000 years - contingent upon the sacrifice of a pure soul. The gang is shocked to discover that this innocent being is none other than their beloved Scooby-Doo, whom Mondavarious had brought to the island with ulterior motives.

As the gravity of their mistake sinks in, Fred, Daphne, and Velma put aside their differences for good and join forces with Shaggy to save Scooby and the world from impending doom. They infiltrate the ritual, whereupon Shaggy’s quick thinking foils Mondavarious’ attempt to sacrifice Scooby’s soul.

However, this revelation only scratches the surface of the mystery. It is soon exposed that Mondavarious is merely a puppet controlled by none other than Scrappy-Doo (Scott Innes), Scooby’s estranged nephew who had been abandoned by the gang due to his increasingly self-absorbed and power-hungry nature.

As Scrappy absorbs the tourists’ souls, he transforms into a gargantuan monstrosity, hell-bent on annihilating the gang. Daphne seizes control of Zarkos, upsetting the vat and returning most of the other souls to their bodies, thereby releasing the demons who are subsequently dispatched by Daphne using a skull-shaped disco ball to reflect sunlight.

Shaggy frees the remaining souls, effectively reversing Scrappy’s transformation and restoring his original form. In the process, Shaggy uncovers the true Mondavarious, imprisoned by Scrappy to masquerade as his double. Scrappy and his cohorts are subsequently apprehended, allowing Mystery, Inc. to reunite and put an end to their ordeal on Spooky Island.