Warner Brothers has made a heart-wrenching decision that feels like a punch to the gut for animation fans everywhere: they've removed their entire catalog of original Looney Tunes shorts from HBO Max. These iconic shorts, which ran from 1930 to 1969, represent the pinnacle of animation's "golden age" and were instrumental in building the Warner Brothers empire.

According to Deadline, this move is part of a broader strategy to focus on adult and family programming, as children's content isn't pulling in the big numbers for the streamer. This decision seems to overlook the cultural significance of these beloved shorts. For instance, at the end of 2024, HBO also ended its deal with Sesame Street for new episodes, despite its crucial role in childhood education since 1969. While some newer Looney Tunes spinoffs still remain on HBO Max, the essence of the franchise has been lost.

The timing of this decision is particularly odd, coinciding with the release of the new film, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Story, which hit theaters 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 nationwide.

Given the public backlash over last year's handling of Coyote Vs. Acme, where Warner Brothers Discovery opted not to release the completed film due to distribution costs, it's surprising that The Day the Earth Blew Up isn't drawing bigger crowds. The decision not to release Coyote Vs. Acme has drawn significant criticism from the animation community. In February, star Will Forte expressed his frustration, labeling the decision as "f—king bulls—t" and stating it made his "blood boil."

This series of events leaves fans of Looney Tunes feeling neglected and frustrated, as the legacy of these cherished characters continues to be mishandled by the very company that owes its success to them.