A "that’s all, folks" joke would sting too deeply right now. Warner Brothers has officially pulled its entire collection of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max, leaving fans devastated. These iconic shorts, which ran from 1930 to 1969, marked a "golden age" of animation and were instrumental in building Warner Brothers' reputation.
According to Deadline, the removal aligns with Warner Brothers' strategy to focus on adult and family programming. Children's content, despite its cultural significance, isn't drawing the numbers HBO Max seeks. This decision reflects a stark disregard for the historical value of these shorts. By the end of 2024, HBO also canceled its deal for new episodes of Sesame Street, a cornerstone of childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs remain on the platform, the essence of the franchise is now missing.
This move comes at an odd time, especially as the new film, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story, hit theaters on March 14. Initially commissioned by Max, the film was sold to Ketchup Entertainment through the American Film Market following the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. With a modest marketing budget, the film has only managed to pull in 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 public outcry over last year's Coyote Vs. Acme. Warner Brothers Discovery chose not to release this completed Looney Tunes film, citing high distribution costs. The backlash from the animation community was swift and severe. In February, actor Will Forte denounced the decision as "f—king bulls—t," expressing his frustration and anger over what he considered an indefensible choice.
This series of events underscores a troubling trend for fans and the legacy of Looney Tunes, leaving many to wonder about the future of these beloved characters and their storied history.
