Historic Looney Tunes Shorts Removed From HBO Max on Looney Tunes Movie Opening Weekend

Warner Brothers has made a surprising move by removing its entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max, leaving fans of the iconic series disheartened. These shorts, which ran from 1930 to 1969, represent a golden era of animation and have been instrumental in building Warner Brothers' legacy. The decision aligns with the company's strategy to focus on adult and family programming, sidelining children's content despite its cultural significance. For instance, HBO Max also ended its agreement with Sesame Street for new episodes at the end of 2024, a show that has been foundational in childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs are still available on the platform, the essence of the franchise has been lost.

This development is particularly jarring as it coincides with the theatrical release of "The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story" on March 14. Originally commissioned by Max, the film was sold to Ketchup Entertainment following the Warner Brothers and Discovery merger. With a limited marketing budget, the movie managed to earn just over $3 million during its opening weekend across 2,800 theaters. The timing is unfortunate, especially given the public outcry over the handling of "Coyote Vs. Acme" last year, which Warner Brothers Discovery chose not to release despite completion, citing high distribution costs.

The backlash against the decision to shelve "Coyote Vs. Acme" has been significant, with actor Will Forte describing it as "f—king bulls—t" and expressing his frustration over the studio's choice. This series of events underscores a turbulent period for the Looney Tunes franchise, leaving fans and industry insiders alike questioning the future of these beloved characters.