Looney Tunes Shorts Removed from HBO Max Amid Movie Release

Warner Brothers has made a heart-wrenching decision by removing its entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max, a move that feels like a "that’s all, folks" moment for fans. These iconic shorts, which spanned from 1930 to 1969, represent a golden age of animation and have been instrumental in shaping the studio's legacy.

According to Deadline, this removal is part of a strategic shift to focus on adult and family programming, as children's content reportedly doesn't pull in significant viewership numbers. This decision seemingly overlooks the cultural significance of Looney Tunes. For instance, at the end of 2024, HBO also canceled its deal with Sesame Street for new episodes, despite its foundational role in childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs remain on the platform, the essence of the franchise has been stripped away.

This move comes at an odd time, coinciding with the theatrical release of the new film, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story, on March 14. Originally commissioned by Max, the project was sold to Ketchup Entertainment after the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. With a modest marketing budget, the film has only managed to earn a little over $3 million at the box office during its opening weekend across more than 2,800 theaters nationwide.

The timing is particularly poignant given the backlash from last year's decision not to release Coyote Vs. Acme, another completed Looney Tunes film, due to distribution costs. The outcry over Coyote Vs. Acme suggests that The Day the Earth Blew Up could have seen better attendance if it had been more widely promoted. The decision not to release Coyote Vs. Acme has drawn significant criticism from the animation community, with star Will Forte labeling it as "f—king bulls—t" and expressing his frustration over the studio's choice.