Looney Tunes Shorts Pulled from HBO Max Amid Movie Release

Warner Bros. has made a surprising move by removing its entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max, a decision that has left many fans and animation enthusiasts disheartened. These classic shorts, which were produced from 1930 to 1969, are considered a cornerstone of the "golden age" of animation and have been instrumental in shaping Warner Bros.'s legacy.

According to Deadline, the removal aligns with Warner Bros.'s strategy to focus on adult and family programming, as children's content reportedly does not attract significant viewership on the platform. This shift in focus has led to the sidelining of culturally significant material, including the decision to end the production of new episodes of Sesame Street at the end of 2024, a show that has been a fundamental part of childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs remain available on HBO Max, the essence of the franchise has been removed.

The timing of this decision is particularly odd, coinciding 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 Bros. and Discovery merger. With a limited marketing budget, the film has only managed to earn slightly over $3 million during its opening weekend across more than 2,800 theaters nationwide.

The removal of the classic Looney Tunes shorts comes on the heels of controversy surrounding the treatment of another Looney Tunes film, "Coyote Vs. Acme." Last year, Warner Bros. Discovery opted not to release the completed film, citing distribution costs as too high. This decision sparked outrage among artists and animation fans, with actor Will Forte publicly condemning it as "f—king bulls—t" and expressing his frustration over the studio's choice.

The removal of these iconic shorts from HBO Max, coupled with the lukewarm reception to "The Day the Earth Blew Up," suggests a challenging period for the Looney Tunes franchise. Fans are left wondering about the future of these beloved characters and the legacy they represent.