Warner Brothers has made a heart-wrenching decision by removing its entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max. These iconic shorts, which spanned from 1930 to 1969, represent a "golden age" of animation and have been instrumental in shaping Warner Brothers into the powerhouse it is today. The removal is part of a broader company strategy to focus on adult and family programming, as children's content reportedly does not attract significant viewership on the platform. This move seems to overlook the immense cultural significance of the Looney Tunes series.
The decision to pull these classics comes at a particularly poignant time. At the end of 2024, HBO also canceled its deal with Sesame Street for new episodes, despite the show's foundational role in childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs remain available on HBO Max, the essence of the franchise has been stripped away.
This development is especially jarring given the recent release of the new film, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story, which hit theaters on March 14. Originally commissioned by Max, the project was sold to Ketchup Entertainment through the American Film Market following the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. With a modest marketing budget, the film managed to earn just over $3 million during its opening weekend across more than 2,800 theaters nationwide.
The timing of these events is curious, especially in light of the backlash surrounding last year's Coyote Vs. Acme. Warner Brothers Discovery opted not to release this completed Looney Tunes film, citing distribution costs as too high. The decision sparked widespread criticism from the artistic community and animation enthusiasts. In February, actor Will Forte labeled the move as "f—king bulls—t," expressing his frustration and anger over the studio's choice to withhold the film from audiences.
It's clear that the public's appetite for Looney Tunes content remains strong, and the removal of these beloved shorts from HBO Max, coupled with the mishandling of recent projects, has left many fans and industry insiders deeply disappointed.
