Looney Tunes Shorts Pulled from HBO Max Amid Movie Release

The phrase "that’s all, folks" might sting a bit more than usual now that Warner Brothers has officially pulled its entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max. These iconic shorts, which ran from 1930 to 1969, represent a "golden age" of animation and were instrumental in building Warner Brothers into the powerhouse it is today.

According to Deadline, this move is part of a broader strategy to focus on adult and family programming, as children's content reportedly doesn't pull in significant viewership numbers for the streaming service. This decision seems to overlook the cultural significance of the Looney Tunes shorts. For instance, 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 removed.

This development is particularly 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. Initially commissioned by Max, the project was sold to Ketchup Entertainment through the American Film Market following the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. With a seemingly limited marketing budget, the film managed to earn just over $3 million during its opening weekend across more than 2,800 theaters nationwide.

The timing is curious, especially in light of the backlash over last year's Coyote Vs. Acme. Warner Brothers Discovery opted not to release the completed Looney Tunes film due to distribution costs, sparking widespread criticism from the animation community. In February, actor Will Forte labeled the decision as "f—king bulls—t," expressing his frustration and anger over the studio's choice to shelve the film.

It's clear that if fans were more aware of The Day the Earth Blew Up's theatrical run, the theaters might have seen a surge in attendance, fueled by the ongoing discontent with Warner Brothers' handling of its Looney Tunes legacy.