Looney Tunes Shorts Pulled from HBO Max Amid Movie Release

The recent decision by Warner Brothers to remove the entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max has left fans and animation enthusiasts reeling. These iconic shorts, which were produced from 1930 to 1969, represent a "golden age" of animation and have been a cornerstone of Warner Brothers' identity.

According to Deadline, this move is part of a broader strategy to focus on adult and family programming, as children's content is not drawing significant viewership numbers. This shift in priorities has led to the exclusion of culturally significant material, such as the Looney Tunes shorts. In a similar vein, HBO Max ended its deal with Sesame Street for new episodes at the end of 2024, despite its longstanding role in childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs remain available, the essence of the franchise has been removed.

This decision comes at an odd time, coinciding with the 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 film was sold to Ketchup Entertainment through the American Film Market following the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. With a limited marketing budget, the film has only managed to earn slightly over $3 million at the box office during its opening weekend across more than 2,800 theaters nationwide.

The public's reaction to the handling of "Coyote Vs. Acme" last year suggests there would be strong interest in "The Day the Earth Blew Up" if more people were aware of its theatrical release. Warner Brothers Discovery chose not to release "Coyote Vs. Acme," despite its completion, citing distribution costs as too high. This decision has sparked significant backlash from the artistic community and animation fans. In February, actor Will Forte described the choice as "f—king bulls—t," expressing his frustration and anger over the film's non-release.

The removal of the Looney Tunes shorts and the mishandling of recent projects underscore a troubling trend for fans of this beloved franchise.