Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost (2018) Full Movie Summary & Plot Explained

The Mystery Inc. crew rolls into the Rocky Harbor Inn with a sense of curiosity and appetite, invited by Bobby Flay, Fred’s celebrity uncle. The group—led by Shaggy Rogers, with their loyal canine companion Scooby-Doo, whose voice is provided by Scooby-Doo—takes in the grand lobby, where a portrait of Fred’s ancestor Edward Flay looms over the foyer and hints at the inn’s storied past. The arrival is warmer than expected when Nacho, Bobby’s cat, steps in to lend a paw and help Scooby out of a tight spot, setting a light, friendly tone for what promises to be an unusual stay.

Inside, the inn’s atmosphere blends cozy charm with high-tech flair, especially in the innovative cooking arena that becomes the evening’s centerpiece. The group is joined by glamorous guests, including Giada De Laurentiis and Marcus Samuelsson, who bring their own culinary prowess and charisma to the mix. It isn’t long before the town’s rumor mill kicks into gear: the inn has a dark legend tied to a “Red Ghost” that supposedly haunted the place after the Revolutionary War. The groundskeeper, Jeremiah Noseworthy, drops a few cryptic hints that fuel the mystery, mentioning that Edward Flay disappeared while the ghost was said to be near, leaving the inn vacant for years.

As night falls, the show kicks into high gear on the inn’s stage. The crew learns more about Edward’s supposed past, including the claim that he might have been a traitor—an idea that unsettles Bobby and brings a sharper edge to the mystery. A television interview with Jeremiah amplifies the tension, and Skip Taylor’s presence adds another layer of stress as the inn’s atmosphere grows uneasy. The excitement of the evening is interrupted when the animatronics misbehave in dramatic fashion, and the Red Ghost appears to frighten the audience and chase the visitors from the arena. Velma Dinkley, brilliantly practical as ever, uses a fire extinguisher to disrupt the haunting display, and the ghost slips away into the shadows.

The mystery deepens when the gang discovers parchment papers tucked inside a reconstructed set piece. Invisible ink on the papers reveals coded writing about troop movements and raises suspicions that Edward may indeed have been more than a mere innkeeper. Scooby spots the Red Ghost attempting to steal the rest of the papers, but fear once again threatens to derail the rescue mission. In a tense sequence through the lobby and up toward the upper floors, Scooby regains his courage and helps the team track the intruder’s movements, allowing Velma to piece together the crucial clue: the parchment wasn’t just a relic; it was a key to a larger secret about the inn’s history.

With the inn ordered to close as a historic landmark, a dramatic chase escalates. The gang decides to stage a throwback version of the earlier show to trap the intruder. Their trap works, and the Red Ghost is cornered. The culprit turns out to be a familiar face—Bradley Bass—who has been orchestrating the ghostly disruptions while using a drone to simulate haunting activity and manipulate the inn’s reputation for his own gain. The reveal is sharp and surprising: what began as a ghost story is really a calculated plan to drive down the inn’s value and pave the way for a quick sale.

Nacho the cat becomes a pivotal ally, revealing a more tangled truth when he points to Henry Metcalf, a figure associated with the inn’s legend who has been masquerading in the background. The true motive is laid bare: Metcalf has long profited from the myth surrounding Edward Flay, fearing exposure would upend his carefully cultivated legend. Velma pieces together the final piece of the puzzle: Edward Flay was not a British spy but someone who inadvertently served Washington’s Continental Army, using his hospitality as cover while aiding the cause in a covert, loyal fashion. The parchment papers that seemed to incriminate Edward are reinterpreted in light of this truth.

In the denouement, the inn’s walls hold steady as the truth comes to light. Jeremiah remains a moving figure, a quiet reminder of the living history around them, and Velma explains that Edward’s supposed cry about the Red Ghost was really a misheard “redcoats,” a revelation that reframes the entire legend. The group leaves Bobby Flay’s inn with a new understanding of its past and a deeper appreciation for the quiet courage of those who built its legacy. As they step into the night, the crew bids a fond farewell to their culinary host, and the inn’s atmosphere returns to its inviting, bustling self, free from the fear that once haunted its halls.

Throughout the experience, the film weaves together a rich tapestry of nostalgia, culinary culture, and mystery, letting the characters’ strengths—Shaggy’s humor, Scooby’s surprising bravery, Velma’s sharp intellect, Daphne’s resourcefulness, and the rest of the gang’s teamwork—shine against a backdrop of historic intrigue. The revelations about Edward Flay’s true role in history transform a haunted legend into a story of loyalty, misdirection, and the enduring power of truth. The close of the tale leaves room for future adventures, with the inn’s legacy now grounded in real, verifiable history rather than whispered myths, and the ensemble ready to face whatever mysteries come next.

Notes on cast relevance:

Shaggy Rogers leads the human perspective alongside the rest of the gang.
Scooby-Doo remains a key source of humor and courage in tight spots.
The dynamic ensembles of Daphne Blake and Velma Dinkley balance investigation with heart.
The guest presence of Giada De Laurentiis and Marcus Samuelsson adds a culinary world to the mystery.
The investigative threads are guided by Jeremiah Noseworthy and the playful, guiding misdirections from Skip Taylor through the town’s ongoing tension.
The antagonistic threads are tied to Bradley Bass and the larger behind-the-scenes game that unfolds, with the ultimate reveal reframing historical assumptions.