Looney Tunes Shorts Removed from HBO Max During Movie Opening Weekend

Warner Brothers' recent decision to remove its entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max has sent shockwaves through the animation community. These iconic shorts, which ran from 1930 to 1969, represent the "golden age" of animation and played a pivotal role in establishing Warner Brothers as a household name.

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 on the platform. This shift in priorities comes despite the cultural significance of the Looney Tunes series. The decision to cancel the deal with Sesame Street for new episodes at the end of 2024 further underscores this trend, ignoring the educational value the show has provided since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs remain available on HBO Max, the essence of the franchise has been stripped away.

The timing of this announcement is particularly jarring, 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 through the American Film Market following the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. The new distributor's limited marketing efforts have resulted in a modest box office performance, with the film earning just over $3 million during its opening weekend across more than 2,800 theaters nationwide.

The removal of the Looney Tunes shorts and the handling of recent projects like "The Day the Earth Blew Up" and "Coyote Vs. Acme" have sparked significant backlash. Last year, Warner Brothers Discovery opted not to release "Coyote Vs. Acme," citing distribution costs, despite the film being fully completed. This decision drew widespread criticism from the artistic community, with actor Will Forte labeling it as "f—king bulls—t" and expressing his frustration over the studio's choice.

The outcry over "Coyote Vs. Acme" suggests that there would be a strong audience for "The Day the Earth Blew Up" if more people were aware of its availability in theaters. The ongoing controversy highlights the tension between commercial decisions and the preservation of cultural heritage in the entertainment industry.