Let’s be real for a second. If you grew up in the late nineties or early 2000s, you probably remember the exact moment you saw Hex Girls Scooby Doo for the first time. It wasn't just another cartoon guest appearance. It felt different. It felt cool. When Thorn, Dusk, and Luna stepped onto the screen in 1999’s Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost, they didn't just provide a soundtrack. They fundamentally shifted the DNA of the Scooby-Doo universe.
They were "eco-goth" icons. They were rockers. Honestly? They were the first time many kids realized that being a little dark and edgy was actually a vibe.
Most people think of the Hex Girls as a one-off gimmick from a direct-to-video movie, but that’s actually not the case at all. They’ve stuck around for decades. They’ve appeared in multiple series, from What’s New, Scooby-Doo? to Mystery Incorporated, and even the more recent Scoob! era. They represent a rare moment where a spin-off character actually outshines the main cast in terms of pure cult-following energy.
The origin story most fans forget
The Hex Girls weren't just a random idea thrown at a wall by Warner Bros. executives. They were a deliberate attempt to modernize the Scooby-Doo formula for a generation that was drifting toward alternative music and "Girl Power" aesthetics. The band consists of three members: Thorn (the lead singer and guitarist), Dusk (the drummer), and Luna (the keyboardist).
Thorn is voiced by Jennifer Hale. If you're a gamer, you know her as the female Commander Shepard from Mass Effect. Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s—a real-life rock legend—voices Dusk. Kimberly Brooks voices Luna. This wasn't some B-list voice cast. These were heavy hitters who brought actual musical pedigree to the recording booth.
When you hear "Earth, Wind, Fire, and Air," you’re not just hearing a cartoon jingle. You’re hearing a legit pop-rock anthem that was produced to sound like something you'd actually hear on the radio in 1999. It’s catchy. It’s moody. It basically lives rent-free in the heads of everyone who watched that VHS tape until it wore out.
The plot of Witch's Ghost initially frames them as suspects. It’s the classic Scooby trope. They look "scary," so they must be the villains, right? But the subversion is what made them stay relevant. They weren't the monsters; they were just girls who liked the aesthetic. Thorn being a "1/16th Wiccan" was a major plot point that actually helped save the day in the end. It was surprisingly nuanced for a kids' show about a talking dog.
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Why the eco-goth aesthetic still works in 2026
Fashion is cyclical. We all know that. But the Hex Girls Scooby Doo look has somehow managed to bypass the "dated" phase and go straight into "eternal classic."
Look at what they’re wearing. Velvet chokers. Bat-wing sleeves. Heavy eyeliner. Dark purple and black color palettes. It’s basically the blueprint for the modern "Alt" or "E-girl" aesthetic you see all over social media today. They weren't just characters; they were a mood board.
What’s interesting is how the show handled their "Wiccan" identity. Back in 1999, that was actually kind of a bold move for a mainstream children's property. They called themselves "Eco-Goths" to emphasize their connection to nature, which acted as a shield against the pearl-clutching of the era. They loved the earth. They sang about the elements.
- Thorn (Sally McKnight): The leader. She’s the one with the herbalist background and the "real" magic.
- Dusk: The sarcastic one. Every band needs a drummer with an attitude.
- Luna: The glue. She provides the backup vocals and the synth-heavy sound that gives the band its ethereal edge.
There is something deeply satisfying about how they treat the Mystery Machine gang. They aren't obsessed with Fred or Shaggy. They treat the gang as peers, or sometimes as slightly annoying tourists. This independence is part of why the Hex Girls became feminist icons for a younger demographic. They had their own van, their own career, and their own mystery-solving capability that didn't rely on a Great Dane.
Breaking down the discography
Believe it or not, people actually track the "stats" of this fictional band. They have more hits than some real-life one-hit wonders.
"Earth, Wind, Fire, and Air" is obviously the big one. It’s the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" of the Scooby-Doo world. But "The Hex Girl Song" is arguably just as iconic. It’s the one where they literally tell you who they are: "I'm gonna put a spell on you." It’s campy, sure, but it’s performed with 100% sincerity.
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Then you have "Who Do Voodoo," which appeared later. By the time they showed up in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, their sound had evolved. It became a bit more polished, a bit more "indie rock." The showrunners of Mystery Incorporated—which is widely considered the best Scooby series by hardcore fans—knew they couldn't have a definitive Scooby-Doo show without bringing the girls back. They even gave them a rivalry with a rival band, because of course they did.
What most people get wrong about the Hex Girls
A common misconception is that the Hex Girls were created to sell toys. Usually, that’s how it works with cartoons, right? But there actually wasn't a massive wave of Hex Girls merch back in the day. No dolls. No play-sets. They were a creative choice first and a brand second.
The cult following grew organically. It wasn't forced by a marketing department. It happened because kids saw themselves in Thorn, Dusk, and Luna. Or they wanted to be like them.
Another mistake? Thinking they only exist in the "movie" universe. They’ve crossed over into the main timeline more times than almost any other recurring guest character outside of maybe the Harlem Globetrotters or Batman. They are a fixed point in the Scooby-Doo multiverse.
The cultural impact and "Goth-Lite"
The Hex Girls were the gateway drug for an entire generation's interest in alternative subcultures. They made it okay to be "weird."
In the late 90s, goth culture was often portrayed in media as something dangerous or strictly for villains. The Hex Girls flipped that. They were kind, they were environmentalists, and they were heroes. They showed that you could wear black lipstick and still be the person who saves the town from a giant turkey monster (yes, that happened in Witch's Ghost).
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Nuance is rare in Saturday morning cartoons. But here were three women who were unapologetically themselves. They didn't change their look to fit in with the "preppy" Mystery Inc. crew. If anything, the crew had to adapt to them.
How to appreciate the Hex Girls today
If you’re looking to revisit the magic, you have to start with the source material. Don't just watch clips on YouTube. You need the full context.
- Watch Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost (1999): This is the foundation. It’s arguably one of the best-written movies in the franchise because it actually gets pretty dark toward the end. The climax involves actual spells and a real ghost, not just a guy in a mask.
- Check out Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire: The girls return here for a music festival in Australia. It’s a bit more "standard" Scooby fare, but the musical numbers are still top-tier.
- Stream the Mystery Incorporated episodes: Look for "In Fear of the Phantom" and "Dance of the Undead." This version of the band is a bit more modern and fits perfectly into the show’s overarching, serialized mystery.
- Listen to the covers: There are dozens of metal, synthwave, and pop-punk covers of Hex Girls songs on Spotify. It proves the songwriting actually holds up outside of the cartoon context.
The Hex Girls represent a specific moment in time where animation was getting braver. They weren't just background characters; they were a statement. They told a generation of kids that it was okay to be a little spooky, as long as you were doing it for the right reasons.
To really lean into the Hex Girls fandom, start by looking into the actual voice actors' other work. Jennifer Hale’s career alone is a rabbit hole of incredible performances. Also, take a look at the fan art communities on platforms like Tumblr or Pinterest. The "Eco-Goth" aesthetic is arguably more popular now than it was when the movie first dropped. You’ll find people making their own "Hex Girls" inspired outfits, which is a testament to the character design work of the late nineties.
Lastly, pay attention to the lyrics. They’re surprisingly well-constructed for a kids' show. They focus on empowerment and nature rather than typical "crush" songs, which made them stand out in a sea of boy-band-saturated media. That’s why we’re still talking about them over twenty-five years later. They weren't just a band; they were a whole mood.
Next Steps for the Hex Girls Fan:
- Track down the original Witch's Ghost soundtrack: While never officially released as a standalone album, high-quality rips of the songs exist. Compare the 1999 versions to the re-recorded versions in later series to see how the "sound" of the band changed.
- Explore the "Eco-Goth" fashion movement: If you love their style, look into sustainable goth fashion brands that mirror the Hex Girls' commitment to the environment—it’s a real-world subculture that shares their values.
- Watch the "Mystery Incorporated" series in full: If you only care about the Hex Girls, you’ll miss the deep lore of the show that explains why the world they live in is so weird in the first place.