Velma Canceled: 5 Shocking Scooby-Doo Updates You Missed On Max (2024-2025)

The world of Mystery Incorporated is more volatile than ever on Max. As of December 2025, the streaming platform (formerly HBO Max) has been a battleground for the *Scooby-Doo* franchise, marked by aggressive content removals, surprise re-additions, and the controversial adult animated series, *Velma*. The most significant and recent update for fans is the definitive end of the polarizing *Velma* show, which will not return for a third season, confirmed shortly after its second season release. This decision, alongside a shifting library of classic Hanna-Barbera content, paints a complex picture of where the Mystery Machine is headed next.

The current landscape on Max is defined by the new Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) strategy under CEO David Zaslav, which prioritizes cost-cutting and a specific content direction. This has led to a constantly rotating selection of beloved cartoons, making it a challenge for fans to keep track of their favorite *Scooby-Doo* series and films. Here are the five most crucial and up-to-date developments regarding *Scooby-Doo* on Max.

1. The Controversial End: Max Officially Cancels the 'Velma' Series

The highly debated *Velma* adult animated series, an origin story for Velma Dinkley without the iconic Scooby-Doo character, has officially been canceled by Max. The cancellation was confirmed in October 2024, shortly after the full release of the second season.

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The 'Velma' Series Biography & Main Cast

• Title: Velma
• Genre: Adult Animated Comedy, Mystery
• Creator/Executive Producer: Mindy Kaling
• Streaming Platform: Max (formerly HBO Max)
• Seasons: 2
• Original Run: January 12, 2023 – October 3, 2024
• Status: Canceled (No Season 3)
• Main Voice Cast:
  • Velma Dinkley: Mindy Kaling (also Executive Producer)
  • Daphne Blake: Constance Wu
  • Norville "Shaggy" Rogers: Sam Richardson
  • Fred Jones: Glenn Howerton

The second season of *Velma* premiered on April 25, 2024, with all episodes released simultaneously on the platform. The plot for Season 2 saw Velma Dinkley (voiced by Mindy Kaling) grappling with a new, spookier mystery gripping Crystal Cove while attempting to balance her detective work with a newfound popularity. Despite its polarizing reception—drawing both high viewership and significant critical backlash—Max ultimately decided against renewing the series for a third season, signaling a shift in the platform’s adult animation strategy.

2. Classic Content Returns: 'A Pup Named Scooby-Doo' and Live-Action Films Re-Added

In a move that pleased fans of the classic franchise, Max has been selectively re-adding beloved older content, demonstrating the platform's volatile content strategy. One of the most notable additions in 2024 was the eighth iteration of the franchise, *A Pup Named Scooby-Doo*, which was added to the service on September 14, 2024.

This series, which depicts the Mystery Inc. gang as children in the late 1980s, features the classic voice work of Don Messick as Scooby-Doo and Casey Kasem as Shaggy Rogers. The addition of this nostalgic content, alongside the return of the live-action films *Scooby-Doo* (2002) and *Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed* (2004) for the annual "Scoobtober" celebration, suggests a commitment to the core franchise, even as other shows are removed.

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3. The New Animated Films: Crossovers and Traditional Mysteries

While the focus is often on the series, Max continues to be the home for the latest direct-to-video animated movies, which maintain the traditional tone and characters. The most recent major release to hit the platform was the highly anticipated crossover film, *Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too!*, which was added to Max on Christmas Day (December 25) following its initial home video release in September 2023.

This film is a perfect example of the traditional *Scooby-Doo* formula, featuring the classic Mystery Inc. gang—Fred Jones, Daphne Blake, Velma Dinkley, Shaggy Rogers, and Scooby-Doo—teaming up with DC Comics' Super-Pets, including Superman's dog, Krypto. The traditional voice cast is a major draw, featuring Frank Welker as both Scooby-Doo and Fred Jones, Matthew Lillard as Shaggy Rogers, Grey DeLisle (also known as Grey Griffin) as Daphne Blake and Wonder Woman, and Kate Micucci as Velma Dinkley.

Another film, *Scooby-Doo! The Sword and the Scoob*, a 2021 release that sends the gang to Camelot, remains available on the platform, showcasing the variety of animated adventures available to subscribers.

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4. The Content Volatility: Why Classic Series Disappear

One of the most frustrating entities for dedicated fans is the constant content churn on the Max streaming service. In 2023 and 2024, several critically acclaimed and fan-favorite series, such as *Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated* and *What's New, Scooby-Doo?*, were temporarily or permanently removed from the library.

This removal strategy is not unique to *Scooby-Doo* but is part of a broader, cost-saving initiative by Warner Bros. Discovery. The strategy, often attributed to CEO David Zaslav, involves pulling content to save on residuals, licensing fees, and other contractual obligations, particularly for animated projects. This has led to a persistent "identity issue" for the Max platform, where the availability of classic Hanna-Barbera content is unpredictable. The removal of shows like *The New Scooby-Doo Movies* and the second season of *A Pup Named Scooby-Doo* (before the full series re-addition) highlights the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the long-term presence of the franchise’s deep catalog.

5. The Future of the Franchise Beyond 'Velma'

With the cancellation of *Velma*, the focus now shifts entirely back to the traditional *Scooby-Doo* universe and new projects that honor the classic Mystery Inc. format. While a highly anticipated pre-school spin-off, *Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Pups*, was reportedly canceled before it could move forward on Max, the door is open for other projects.

Rumors and reports suggest that Warner Bros. Animation continues to develop new content that may land on Max or other platforms. Enthusiasts have discussed the potential for a new series like *Go-Go Mystery Machine* and even a live-action series in the works for 2025. The continued production of direct-to-video films like *Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too!* confirms that the core franchise, with its traditional voice cast of Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey DeLisle, and Kate Micucci, remains a vital and profitable entity for WBD. The future of *Scooby-Doo* on Max will likely be a mix of new, traditional animated films and a constantly curated selection of the vast, classic content library, prioritizing the tried-and-true formula over polarizing reboots.