Four meddling teenagers and a dog. From that simplest of premises, Joe Ruby and Ken Spears created an idea that has carried television series, live-action big-budget films, numerous animated movies, and countless parodies. So successful was Scooby-Doo that Hannah-Barbera launched several spin-offs, including Jabberjaw (teens and a talking whale) and Speed-Buggy (teens and a talking dune buggy). But there was something special about the alchemy Ruby and Spears derived for Scooby-Doo that made it stand the test of time. With its monster plots, Scooby-Doo became the ultimate introduction to horror for even the most timid kid.

Scooby-Doo and the Gang We Know

No series better understands the unique nature of the Scooby gang like Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated. The 52-episode show ran for two seasons on Cartoon Network from 2010 to 2013, and its first few episodes play like a modern update of the cartoon series. The gang is still in high school,...