The originalLooney Tunesanimated shorts, which ran from 1930 to 1969, have officially been removed from Max. This came as a surprise after Warner Bros. Discovery reassured audiences in late 2023 that the classic shorts would not be leaving the streaming platform after an erroneous removal listing caused public outcry. As Max pulls classicLooney Tunesshorts from its library, the franchise’s latest animated film,the acclaimedThe Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story,quietly made its debut in theaters on March 14.
Deadlinehas reported thattheLooney Tunesshorts have been intentionally pulled off Max’s platform,despite the company’s previous insistence that the shorts would remain available. Following the removal ofSesame Streetcontent and the shutdown of Cartoon Network’s website,Looney Tuneshas been scrubbed off the platform as the streamer continues to prioritize adult and family programming over children’s animation.
What This Means For Looney Tunes
Streaming Has Shifted Away From Classic Cartoons
The removal ofLooney Tunesshorts from Max raises significant concerns about the accessibility of historically significant animation in the streaming era. Born out of the golden age of American animation, the 1930s shorts introduced a plethora of zany and iconic characters,including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, who would go on to become cultural mainstays and lead the 2020 seriesLooney Tunes Cartoons. Without a primary streaming home,digital rentals and physical media will remain the only optionto watch a foundational part of Warner Bros.’ creative history.
Looney Tunes: Earth Might Be Marvin the Martian’s Last, Best Hope For a Home (After Being Banished From Mars)
Looney Tunes' Marvin the Martian has officially been banished from Mars, and it looks like Earth may be his last and best hope for a home.
The muted release ofThe Day the Earth Blew Upfurther suggests thatWarner Bros.’ commitment to theLooney Tunesbrand is wavering. Originally greenlit for Max,The Day the Earth Blew Upwas later sold to Ketchup Entertainment under Warner Bros.' cost-cutting measures. This resulted in a limited marketing campaign wherein the film grossed only $5 million worldwide against its $15 million budget. A similar fatebefellCoyote vs. Acme, another plannedLooney Tunesfeature that was shelved by Warner Bros. as a tax write-off rather than being released, leaving the live-action animated film in acquisition limbo.
Our Take On Looney Tunes' Removal
Warner Bros. Undermines Its Own Brand
By removingLooney Tunesshorts from Max’s platform,Warner Bros. Discovery is making a decision that feels dismissive of its own history. These cartoons are a foundational part of animation and pop culture, and have been beloved by several generations of television viewers. If Warner Bros. Discovery continues to deprioritizeLooney Tunes, it risks not only alienating its fan base but also eroding the long-term cultural impact of a series that it has to thank for its domination in the entertainment world today.
