In 1999, something weird happened to the Scooby-Doo franchise. It actually got cool. Most of us grew up with the cheesy, "I would have gotten away with it too" formula, but Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost took a sharp turn into folk horror and grunge-rock aesthetics that shouldn't have worked for a kids' cartoon. It did. Honestly, a huge reason this movie sticks in the brain of every millennial and Gen Z kid is the Scooby Doo and the Witch's Ghost cast. It wasn't just a group of voice actors punching a clock. We’re talking about a lineup that featured a Hollywood horror icon, a legendary voice cast that defined the era, and the debut of the Hex Girls—who, let’s be real, are the greatest fictional band ever created.
When people look back at this movie, they usually remember the plot twist about the Wiccan heritage or the terrifying design of Sarah Ravencroft. But the chemistry of the voice work is what carries the emotional weight. You've got the classic mystery-solving energy clashing with a much darker, atmospheric vibe than Zombie Island even attempted.
The Mystery Inc. Core: Legends at the Mic
It’s impossible to talk about the Scooby Doo and the Witch's Ghost cast without starting with the staples. This movie came out during the "What's New Scooby-Doo" era transition, and the voices were top-tier. Frank Welker, as usual, was the backbone. He’s been Fred Jones since 1969, which is basically a superhuman feat of vocal longevity. In this movie, Fred is a bit more of a secondary character to the lore, but Welker’s stability keeps the familiar "Scooby feel" alive while the plot goes off the rails into actual magic.
Then you have Scott Innes. He had big shoes to fill after Don Messick’s passing, handling both Scooby-Doo and Shaggy Rogers. It’s a lot. Most people don’t realize how hard it is to talk to yourself for an entire recording session while maintaining two distinct, gravelly registers. Innes brought a slightly more high-energy, frantic vibe to Shaggy that fit the late 90s perfectly. He wasn’t just a hippie; he was a guy who was genuinely terrified of the supernatural entities that—surprise—were actually real this time.
Mary Kay Bergman voiced Daphne Blake. It’s a bit of a bittersweet performance to listen to now, knowing she passed away shortly after the film's release. She gave Daphne a much-needed sense of agency and wit that the character lacked in the 70s. Beside her was B.J. Ward as Velma Dinkley. For a lot of fans, Ward is the definitive Velma. She sounds smart without being a caricature. In Witch's Ghost, Velma is the one driving the plot forward with Ben Ravencroft, and Ward's performance captures that sort of intellectual crush Velma has on the famous author perfectly.
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Tim Curry: The Secret Sauce of Oakhaven
If you want to make a movie better, you hire Tim Curry. Period. He joined the Scooby Doo and the Witch's Ghost cast as Ben Ravencroft, the famous horror novelist who lures the gang to his hometown in Massachusetts. Curry is a master of the "gentleman who might be a villain" trope. He plays Ben with this smooth, comforting baritone that makes you trust him—right up until the moment you definitely shouldn't.
Interestingly, Curry was actually a fan of the franchise. He didn't just phone it in for a paycheck. You can hear the nuance when he talks about his ancestor, Sarah Ravencroft. He’s obsessive. He’s desperate. When the third act hits and the mask (figuratively) comes off, Curry goes full Rocky Horror / IT levels of theatrical. It’s delicious. Without Curry, Ben Ravencroft would have been a forgettable, one-note antagonist. Instead, he’s one of the most memorable human characters in the entire Scooby-Doo canon.
The town of Oakhaven itself feels alive because of the supporting players too. You have Tress MacNeille—who is basically the queen of voice acting—playing various roles. She brings that "weird small town" energy that makes the setting feel claustrophobic. It’s that Gilmore Girls meets The Crucible vibe that the movie nails so well.
Enter the Hex Girls: The Voices That Launched a Thousand Goth Phases
We have to talk about the Hex Girls. We have to. Jennifer Hale (Thorn), Jane Wiedlin (Dusk), and Kimberly Brooks (Luna) weren't just background characters. They were a cultural reset. When the Scooby Doo and the Witch's Ghost cast was being assembled, the producers could have just hired singers to do the tracks and different actors for the dialogue. Instead, they found performers who could do both.
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- Jennifer Hale (Thorn): You probably know her as Female Shepard from Mass Effect. She’s a powerhouse. Her voice as Thorn is husky, commanding, and genuinely cool. She’s the lead singer and guitarist, and she brought a level of "cool older sister" energy that balanced the gang’s goofiness.
- Jane Wiedlin (Dusk): This was a genius bit of casting. Jane is a founding member of The Go-Go’s. She’s actual rock royalty. Having her as the drummer gave the band instant credibility with the adults watching.
- Kimberly Brooks (Luna): As the keyboardist, Brooks rounded out the trio with a soulful, steady presence.
The song "Hex Girl" is still a banger. You can find it on Spotify today with millions of streams. The cast actually sang these parts, which is why the chemistry feels so organic during the musical numbers. They weren't just "eco-goths" for the sake of a gimmick; they were portrayed as talented, hardworking musicians who just happened to dress like they were going to a Siouxsie and the Banshees concert.
Why the Casting Worked Better Than "Zombie Island"
Zombie Island is usually cited as the best Scooby-Doo movie, but Witch's Ghost has a more cohesive cast dynamic. In Zombie Island, the gang is separated for a lot of the intro. In Witch's Ghost, they are a unit, and they are reacting to a very different kind of threat.
The inclusion of a "celebrity" voice like Tim Curry alongside seasoned voice actors created a professional friction that worked. Curry’s Ben Ravencroft treats the kids like colleagues, which elevates the stakes. When the Scooby Doo and the Witch's Ghost cast recorded their lines, there was a clear effort to lean into the "New England Gothic" atmosphere. The accents, the pacing of the dialogue, and the way the supernatural elements are discussed all feel more mature.
Also, shoutout to Tandi Wright, who voiced Sarah Ravencroft. When Sarah finally appears, she isn't a guy in a mask. She’s a vengeful spirit. Wright’s performance is terrifyingly screechy and malicious. It was a huge departure for the series. For the first time, Scooby and Shaggy weren't just running from a janitor; they were running from a genocidal ghost. Wright sold that transition perfectly.
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The Legacy of the 1999 Performances
Looking back, this movie was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment for Warner Bros. Animation. The Scooby Doo and the Witch's Ghost cast was a mix of old-school talent and new-school energy. It proved that you could take these 1960s archetypes and put them in a legitimate horror-fantasy setting without breaking them.
The Hex Girls became so popular that they’ve reappeared in multiple series since, including What’s New, Scooby-Doo? and Mystery Incorporated. They even got their own merchandise lines. That doesn't happen unless the original vocal performances are iconic. Jennifer Hale has gone on record saying how much she loves the character, and fans still ask her to sign Thorn posters at conventions decades later.
Even the way the movie handles the "Wiccan" aspect—which was a bit controversial at the time—was handled with a level of respect in the vocal delivery. They didn't make the Hex Girls "evil" just because they were different. They made them the heroes. That nuance came through in the acting.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of this specific era of Scooby-Doo, here is what you should actually do:
- Track down the soundtrack: The songs "Hex Girl" and "Earth, Wind, Fire, and Air" are officially available on most streaming platforms. They aren't just for kids; the production quality is genuine 90s alt-rock.
- Watch the "Making Of" featurettes: If you can find the original DVD or certain digital extras, seeing the Scooby Doo and the Witch's Ghost cast in the recording booth is a masterclass in voice acting. Seeing Tim Curry work is always worth it.
- Compare the VAs: If you're a voice acting nerd, listen to B.J. Ward's Velma and compare it to Mindy Kaling's or Linda Cardellini's. You'll see how much Ward influenced the "modern" take on the character’s dry wit.
- Check out the Hex Girls' return: To see how the cast evolved, watch the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode "In Fear of the Phantom." The Hex Girls return, and the voice actors bring a more seasoned, slightly more "meta" vibe to the roles.
The movie remains a staple of Halloween watchlists for a reason. It’s atmospheric, the stakes are real, and the performances are top-tier. Whether it’s Tim Curry’s velvet-voiced betrayal or the Hex Girls' infectious hooks, this cast defined a generation of supernatural animation. Honestly, they just don't make them like this anymore. The blend of genuine horror and slapstick humor requires a very specific type of vocal talent, and the 1999 crew nailed it.