You’ve probably seen the rumors. Maybe you caught a blurry "leaked" poster on your feed or heard a friend mention that Netflix is finally doing something with Mystery Inc. Honestly, keeping up with the Great Dane these days is a mystery in itself. After the wild, often polarizing experiment that was Velma, the franchise basically went into a protective huddle. But as of January 2026, the silence is officially over.
There isn’t just one project. There are several. And they couldn't be more different if they tried. We are looking at a future where Scooby-Doo exists as a gritty live-action drama, a high-octane anime, and a series of "kawaii" shorts. It’s a lot to process.
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The Netflix Live-Action Reimagining: What New Scooby Doo Looks Like Now
The biggest news—the one everyone is actually talking about—is the live-action series at Netflix. This isn’t the campy, bright-colored fun of the Freddie Prinze Jr. era. Forget the rubber monster suits and the laugh tracks.
Netflix officially greenlit this untitled project (though production insiders are calling it Scooby-Doo: Origins) back in March 2025. We now know that filming is scheduled to start this April in Atlanta, Georgia. If that city sounds familiar, it's because it's the home of Stranger Things. That isn't a coincidence. Showrunners Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg are reportedly aiming for that exact vibe: genuine scares, a "bold aesthetic," and a story that feels grounded despite the talking dog.
The Plot Twist You Didn't See Coming
The synopsis that leaked through Production Weekly and various trades describes a version of the gang we haven't seen before.
- Shaggy and Daphne are actually childhood friends from summer camp.
- Fred is the "new kid" in town—described as strange and handsome, but an outsider.
- Velma is the local "townie" genius.
- The mystery centers on a supernatural murder witnessed by a lost Great Dane puppy.
It sounds darker. Maybe even a little bit "CW-ified," which makes sense considering Greg Berlanti (the mind behind Riverdale) is executive producing. They are looking for age-appropriate actors, so expect actual teenagers instead of 30-year-olds in ascots. While the dog will almost certainly be CGI, there are strong reports that legendary voice actor Frank Welker might still provide the vocals, keeping one foot firmly in the franchise's history.
Two Flavors of Anime: Japan Meets the Mystery Machine
While Netflix handles the live-action side, Warner Bros. Animation is leaning hard into Japanese influence. This is where things get a bit confusing for most people. There are actually two separate animated projects in the pipeline that often get mixed up in headlines.
First, there is Go-Go Mystery Machine. Announced back at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, this show sends Shaggy and Scooby to Japan on a "foodie adventure." They accidentally release hundreds of mythical monsters—Yokai—and have to team up with Scooby’s uncle, Daisuke-Doo, to round them up. It’s been quiet for a while, leading some to think it was canceled, but recent updates from January 2026 confirm it is still in active development.
Then there is the new kid on the block: Scooby-Doo! Gokko.
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This one was revealed during a makeup launch event in Brazil of all places. "Gokko" refers to a specific style of chibi, super-deformed animation. Think "Hello Kitty" versions of Shaggy and Scoob. These are going to be a series of shorts, likely for YouTube and Max, aimed at a much younger audience. It’s basically the franchise trying to capture the "kawaii" market that worked so well for the Tom & Jerry Gokko shorts.
Why the "What New Scooby Doo" Search is Exploding
The franchise is at a crossroads. For years, Scooby-Doo followed a very specific formula: guy in a mask, "I would have gotten away with it," and a chase scene set to a pop song. But the failure of Velma to capture the core audience showed that fans are protective. They want evolution, but they don't want the soul of the characters ripped out.
By splitting the brand into three distinct directions—gritty live-action, traditional anime adventure, and chibi shorts—Warner Bros. is basically hedging its bets. They want to see what sticks.
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Honestly, the live-action series is the one with the most risk. Translating a talking Great Dane into a "grounded" world is notoriously difficult. Do you make him look like a real dog? If he talks, does it look creepy? These are the questions the Atlanta production team is currently trying to solve before the cameras roll in April.
Real Evidence of the Shift
Look at the creators involved. You have Josh Appelbaum, who worked on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboots, and Scott Rosenberg, who wrote Venom and the new Jumanji films. These guys know how to take a "silly" concept and turn it into a massive, high-stakes blockbuster. They aren't here to make a Saturday morning cartoon. They are here to build a "Scooby-Verse" that can compete with the big prestige dramas on streaming.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a fan or just curious about what new Scooby Doo content to watch, here is the current roadmap for the next eighteen months:
- Watch the Atlanta casting calls: Since filming starts in April 2026, we expect the lead cast for the Netflix series to be announced any day now. Keep an eye on the trades for four names that will define the franchise for the next decade.
- Check YouTube for "Gokko" previews: The chibi shorts are expected to drop first, likely as a lead-up to the larger projects.
- Manage your expectations for 2026: While filming for the live-action series happens this year, the heavy CGI requirements for Scooby mean we likely won't see a trailer until late 2026, with a premiere date probably landing in early 2027.
- Revisit the classics: If the idea of a "supernatural murder" at summer camp feels too dark, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated remains the gold standard for a serialized, slightly more mature take on the gang that still feels like the show you grew up with.
The Mystery Machine is definitely changing gears. Whether it’s headed toward a masterpiece or a total wreck is the one mystery we can't solve just yet.