Scoob! - 2020

Movie Info

Rating: PG

Age-appropriateness: Spiritual references to the “underworld”. A few subtle adult jokes. Robot violence.

Overview: Scooby and the gang face another challenging mystery. Shaggy and Scooby learn confidence as they fight for their friendship. On their adventure, there are times when Shaggy feels jealous, and his ego gets in the way of the relationship he has with his best pal. Although the “underworld” is mentioned, this isn’t an overly spiritual movie.

Themes: ghosts, problem solving, adventure, teamwork, afterlife, friendship, loneliness, stealing, justice, judgement, confidence, tricky people, bravery

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Friendship. What do you think it takes to have a really good friendship with someone?

Shaggy and Scooby have a great friendship. They have a similar sense of humor and they like the same things.

2. Confidence. How confident of a person are you? What are you least confident about?

Shaggy, Scooby, and Brian all struggled with confidence. When a bad guy came around, they usually got really scared and tried to hide. Confidence is feeling sure of yourself and your abilities. While there’s many scary things in the world, the Bible tells us that we never have to be afraid of asking God for help. "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

3. Jealousy. When you realize that you’re wrong, how easy is it for you to admit it and try to make things right? What gets in the way of you admitting your weaknesses?

Shaggy admits that he let his own jealousy break him and Scooby up. Jealousy is wanting to have something that someone else has. Shaggy recognized that he was wrong, and he comes clean and tries to make things right.

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. Shaggy and Scooby have a great friendship. They have a similar sense of humor and they like the same things. What do you think it takes to have a really good friendship with someone?

2. Scooby’s group of friends all had different strengths. Fred brings strength, Daphne is an empathetic people-person, Velma is intelligent, and Shaggy/Scooby bring the humor and the fun. Ephesians 4:16 says, "He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” What are the unique gifts/strengths that you bring to a team?

3. Shaggy and Scooby felt liked they were being judged sometimes. Other people treated them like they were the “weak link” of the team. A negative judgement refers to "assuming something bad about a person because of the way they appear on the outside”. In Matthew 7:1-2, Jesus says, "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” Have you negatively judged another person before? Has someone else judged you?

4. Shaggy, Scooby, and Brian all struggled with confidence. When a bad guy came around, they usually got really scared and tried to hide. Confidence is feeling sure of yourself and your abilities. While there’s many scary things in the world, the Bible tells us that we never have to be afraid of asking God for help. "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16). How confident of a person are you? What are you least confident about?

5. Scooby is the descendant of Alexander the Great’s dog. Dick Dastardly says he wants to help Scooby become the most important dog in the world. Scooby declines, because he doesn’t want to do bad things with Dastardly. Jesus warned us against pursuing importance above all other things when he said, "So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16). What types of things do you think makes someone important? Jesus said that truly important people put others first - do you agree?

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:03 Shaggy feels challenged to go make some friends. He feels lonely and wants to “put himself out there” to make some friends. Have you ever felt sad and lonely? How might you “put yourself out there” to try to make some new friends?

:11 Mr. Rigby stole a bunch of electronics and then tried to hide his crimes from other people. He thought he could get away with it! But Scooby’s group of friends brought him to justice. Have you ever done something bad and then tried to cover it up?

:21 The Blue Falcon’s son, Brian, makes his entrance (along with Dynomutt). Shaggy and Scooby are so impressed to meet their hero in person. Who are some heroes that you have? What would you do/say if you were ever able to meet them one day?

:29 Dick Dastardly, the villain, has a long history of doing bad things. He continually makes selfish decisions that hurt other people so that his life can be better. The Bible encourages us to act in a different way: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32). What was the last selfish decision you made that hurt someone?

:43 In order to put on his superhero suit, Scooby had to take off the friendship leash given to him by Shaggy. Shaggy is worried that Scooby’s ego is getting in the way of their friendship. When we feel "puffed up” and are overly concerned with ourselves, then our selfishness drives our friends away. Has your ego ever gotten in the way one of your friendships?

:53 Dastardly wants to use Scooby to unlock a gate to the Underworld. He wants to take all of the treasure that is kept there. Parent resource: If your kids have more questions about the afterlife, check out this article: How to Talk to Your Kids About Heaven.

1:04 Dick Dastardly pretends to be Fred so that he could get close to Scooby. He was tricky people, pretending to be someone he wasn’t, so that he could get what he wanted. Has anyone ever tried to trick you?

Parent resource: How to Talk to Your Kids About Tricky People.

1:06 Shaggy admits that he let his own jealousy break him and Scooby up. Jealousy is wanting to have something that someone else has. Shaggy recognized that he was wrong, and he comes clean and tries to make things right. When you realize that you’re wrong, how easy is it for you to admit it and try to make things right? What gets in the way of you admitting your weaknesses?

1:16 Brian recognizes that it’s heroic to be scared, and even to lose sometimes. Bravery is having the courage to make good choices, even when you’re afraid. Do you ever have trouble being brave? What makes it so difficult?

1:21 Shaggy saves Scooby by sacrificing himself. Shaggy is willing to give himself up to save his friends. Jesus gave up His life to save His friends, too. In fact, Jesus gave Himself up to save the entire world. Because of our sin, we are separated from God. And there isn’t a “timeout” (or any other consequence) long enough that we could make things right. But Jesus willingly died on the cross so that we could be forgiven and we could be reunited with God, which is what we were born to do! How much must Jesus love you, if He was willing to die for you?