Warner Brothers' recent removal of its classic Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max has sent shockwaves through animation fans. This decision, affecting nearly 40 years of iconic shorts (1930-1969), represents a significant loss to animation history and Warner Brothers' legacy. Deadline reports the removal is part of a company-wide shift to prioritize adult and family programming, citing lower viewership for children's content on the streaming platform. This prioritization, however, disregards the immense cultural significance of these shorts. The cancellation of the HBO Max/Sesame Street deal at the end of 2024 further underscores this trend, despite Sesame Street's long-standing contribution to childhood education. While some newer Looney Tunes productions remain, the core of the franchise is now absent.
This action is particularly jarring given the recent theatrical release of The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story on March 14th. Initially an HBO Max project, the film was sold to Ketchup Entertainment after the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The film's modest box office performance (just over $3 million opening weekend across 2,800 theaters) suggests a limited marketing budget. This contrasts sharply with the public outcry surrounding the unreleased Coyote Vs. Acme, a film that, had it been released, might have generated greater interest in The Day the Earth Blew Up. Warner Brothers Discovery's decision last year to shelve Coyote Vs. Acme due to perceived high distribution costs drew significant criticism from artists and animation enthusiasts, with star Will Forte famously calling the decision "f—king bulls—t."
