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

Warner Bros. has made the controversial decision to remove its entire collection of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max, a move that has left fans and animation enthusiasts disheartened. These classic shorts, which were produced from 1930 to 1969, represent a "golden age" of animation and have played a pivotal role in shaping the legacy of Warner Bros. The removal is part of a broader strategy to focus on adult and family programming, as children's content reportedly does not attract substantial viewership numbers on the platform. This shift in focus seemingly overlooks the cultural significance of the Looney Tunes series.

The decision to pull these iconic shorts comes on the heels of other notable cancellations by HBO Max, such as the termination of its deal with Sesame Street for new episodes at the end of 2024. While newer Looney Tunes spinoffs remain available, the absence of the original shorts is a significant loss to the franchise's heritage.

The timing of this move is particularly perplexing as it coincides 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 following the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger. With a modest marketing budget, the movie managed to earn just over $3 million during its opening weekend across more than 2,800 theaters nationwide.

The recent handling of Looney Tunes content, including the shelving of Coyote Vs. Acme last year, has sparked significant backlash. Warner Bros. Discovery opted not to release Coyote Vs. Acme, citing distribution costs as the reason, despite the film being fully completed. This decision drew sharp criticism from the animation community and fans alike. Actor Will Forte, who starred in Coyote Vs. Acme, publicly condemned the decision, calling it "f—king bulls—t" and expressing his frustration over the studio's choice not to release the film.

The removal of the original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max, coupled with the treatment of recent Looney Tunes projects, underscores a troubling trend for fans and the animation industry. As Warner Bros. shifts its focus away from children's programming, the future of these beloved characters and their cultural impact remains uncertain.