The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo

When a cursed chest is opened by Scooby and Shaggy, thirteen ghosts are released into the world and the gang has to round them up. Scooby and Shaggy team up with Daphne, Scrappy-Doo, and a new companion named Flim-Flam, and they crisscross global locations chasing supernatural disturbances tied to each escapee. Episodes focus on tracking a single spirit, dealing with local myths and oddball hauntings, and figuring out a way to return that ghost to the chest. The tone mixes broad comedy with actual supernatural stakes, and the serialized premise keeps each episode connected to the larger task of capturing all thirteen entities.

Released in 1985, the series was created by Joe Ruby, Ken Spears, and Tom Ruegger. Direction rotated among veterans like Arthur Davis, Don Lusk, Alan Zaslove, and Rudy Zamora, giving the show a variety of animation and pacing styles across its run.

The show didn’t pick up major industry awards or Emmy nods, but voice work by Don Messick, Casey Kasem, Heather North, and guest talents drew steady fan appreciation. Retrospectives note the cast’s chemistry and how the series took risks within the Scooby brand.

Culturally the series stands out for making the supernatural real rather than always unmasking crooks, and for introducing characters and motifs that fans still reference, like the menacing chest and Flim-Flam’s shady charm. Its darker, serialized setup set it apart from earlier standalone mystery episodes and has been cited in later Scooby-Doo revivals and homages.

Critical and fan reception has been generally positive among viewers who rate it fondly, reflected in a solid vote average. Reviewers and fans often point to its willingness to blend horror elements with family-friendly comedy, plus the tighter team dynamics and the focus on completing one overarching mission across episodes.