Historic Looney Tunes Shorts Removed From HBO Max on Looney Tunes Movie Opening Weekend

Warner Brothers' recent decision to remove its entire catalog of classic Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max has sent shockwaves through the animation community. These legendary shorts, spanning nearly 40 years (1930-1969), represent a golden age of animation and are undeniably foundational to Warner Brothers' success. The removal, according to Deadline, is part of a company-wide initiative to focus on adult and family programming, prioritizing viewership numbers over cultural significance. This decision echoes the cancellation of HBO's Sesame Street deal in late 2024, further highlighting a disregard for the educational and cultural impact of children's programming. While some newer Looney Tunes projects remain on HBO Max, the core of the franchise is now absent.

This action is particularly perplexing 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 following the WB and Discovery merger. The film's modest box office performance (just over $3 million opening weekend in over 2,800 theaters) suggests a limited marketing budget. This contrasts sharply with the outcry surrounding the unreleased Coyote Vs. Acme, a film completed but shelved due to perceived high distribution costs. Last year's decision to not release Coyote Vs. Acme sparked outrage among artists and animation enthusiasts, with star Will Forte famously calling the decision "f—king bulls—t." The current situation suggests that a wider audience might have supported The Day the Earth Blew Up had it been more effectively promoted, given the existing passion for the franchise.