Looney Tunes Shorts Pulled from HBO Max Amid Movie Release

Warner Brothers has made a shocking move by removing its entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max. These iconic shorts, produced between 1930 and 1969, represent a golden era of animation and were instrumental in building the studio's reputation. This decision comes as part of a broader initiative to focus on adult and family programming, as children's content reportedly doesn't attract significant viewership for the streamer. This shift in focus seems to overlook the cultural significance of these timeless classics. For instance, at the end of 2024, HBO also canceled its deal for new episodes of "Sesame Street," a cornerstone of childhood education since 1969. While some recent Looney Tunes spinoffs remain available, the essence of the franchise has been stripped away from the platform.

This development is particularly jarring as it coincides with the theatrical release of "The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story" on March 14. Initially commissioned by Max, the project was sold to Ketchup Entertainment following the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. The film, distributed by the smaller company, had a modest marketing budget and managed to earn just over $3 million at the box office during its opening weekend across more than 2,800 theaters nationwide.

The timing of these decisions is curious, especially given the public backlash over the handling of "Coyote Vs. Acme" last year. Warner Brothers Discovery opted not to release the completed film, citing distribution costs as too high. The decision not to release "Coyote Vs. Acme" has been met with widespread criticism from the animation community. In February, actor Will Forte described the move as "f—king bulls—t," expressing his frustration and disbelief at the studio's choice.

It appears that if the public were more aware of "The Day the Earth Blew Up" being in theaters, the film might have seen better attendance, fueled by the sentiment surrounding the treatment of Looney Tunes content by Warner Brothers.