Warner Brothers' decision to remove its entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max has left fans devastated. These iconic shorts, which ran from 1930 to 1969, represent a "golden age" of animation and have been instrumental in shaping Warner Brothers' legacy.
According to Deadline, this move is part of a broader strategy to focus on adult and family programming, as children's content reportedly does not attract significant viewership. This shift in priorities seems to overlook the cultural significance of the Looney Tunes series. For instance, HBO also ended its deal with Sesame Street for new episodes at the end of 2024, despite its long-standing role in childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs remain available on HBO Max, the essence of the franchise has been lost.
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 film was sold to Ketchup Entertainment after the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. With a limited marketing budget, the movie has only managed to earn slightly over $3 million during its opening weekend across more than 2,800 theaters nationwide.
The public's reaction to the handling of last year's "Coyote Vs. Acme" suggests that there might have been greater interest in "The Day the Earth Blew Up" if it had been more widely promoted. Warner Brothers Discovery chose not to release "Coyote Vs. Acme," despite its completion, citing high distribution costs. This decision has drawn significant criticism from the artistic community and animation enthusiasts. In February, actor Will Forte described the move as "f—king bulls—t," expressing his frustration and anger over the studio's choice.
