Velma
HBO Max | Release Date: January 12, 2023
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
54
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
8
Negative:
4

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
IGNBrittany VincentJun 1, 2023
Season 1 Review: Velma is an often funny take on the classic Scooby-Doo series with plenty of risqué humor. But it’s unfortunate that most of what makes Velma funny is completely unrelated to the character who gets a starring role. Read full review
58
Paste MagazineRendy JonesJan 10, 2023
Season 1 Review: While the incredible animation and a talented voice cast keep things entertaining, Velma’s inconsistent tone and humor prevent it from unmasking a darn good show. Read full review
58
ConsequenceLiz Shannon MillerJan 5, 2023
Season 1 Review: The animation is bright, poppy, and fun, the cast is game, and some solid gags do emerge from what’s been seen so far. But even if it could get over its tonal issues in a second season, it’s hard to hope that it’ll have a chance to do so. Read full review
50
CNNBrian LowryJan 12, 2023
Season 1 Review: Velma feels a little too pleased with itself to truly capitalize on the opportunity – a fun idea that sounds like a great way to reintroduce those meddling kids but that, finally, isn’t clever enough to get away with it. Read full review
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperJan 11, 2023
Season 1 Review: The cast is terrific; Jane Lynch and Wanda Sykes are particularly good as Daphne’s parents, who are terrible cops. The problem is with the writing, which is so concerned with spitting out one hot pop-culture take after another that the convoluted and increasingly bizarre plots feel secondary to the meta humor. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterAngie HanJan 10, 2023
Season 1 Review: For every solid crack (“Ranking hot girls is exactly how the Trojan War and Facebook started!”), there’s an observation that feels like a repurposed Twitter draft from some harried screenwriter’s folder. Read full review
50
Entertainment WeeklyDarren FranichJan 5, 2023
Season 1 Review: Beyond the conceptual wow of half-century-old characters suddenly having definable traits, Velma plays out like any other prequel. Read full review
40
IGNBrittany VincentApr 29, 2024
Season 2 Review: Velma Season 2 is an unfocused slog that fails to improve on Season 1. Flat jokes, bloated storytelling, and attempts at subverting expectations leave it feeling like an incoherent, unfunny mess while Velma and Daphne's now-canon relationship is relegated to an antagonistic afterthought. Read full review
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