The original Looney Tunes animated shorts, a foundation of Warner Bros.’ legacy, have been removed from the Max streaming platform. Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed the decision, indicating a change in the company’s digital content approach.
The removal alters Max’s library, which previously featured classic cartoons spanning from 1930 to 1969. The company is shifting toward content aimed at adult and family audiences, reducing its focus on children’s programming. Similar actions include the removal of Sesame Street episodes and the shutdown of Cartoon Network’s website.
While the original shorts are no longer available, several later iterations of the franchise remain accessible. Titles still streaming on Max include Looney Tunes Cartoons (2020), New Looney Tunes (2015), Baby Looney Tunes (2002), Bugs Bunny Builders (2022), Tiny Toons Looniversity (2023), and The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries (1995). Fans looking for the classic shorts will now need to seek alternative viewing options.
The decision follows earlier confusion about the availability of Looney Tunes on the platform. In December 2023, Max mistakenly included the series on a list of titles set for removal before later retracting that claim. Now, the removal appears to be permanent as Warner Bros. Discovery changes its streaming priorities.
The timing of the decision has drawn attention, as it coincides with the theatrical release of The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie on March 14. The film, initially planned for a streaming debut, was instead sold to Ketchup Entertainment after Warner Bros. Discovery opted against a direct-to-Max release. It is the first fully animated Looney Tunes feature-length film to receive a theatrical run. A similar fate befell Coyote vs. Acme, another Looney Tunes-related project, which was ultimately shelved despite its $70 million production budget.
The removal of the classic shorts reflects a broader trend in the streaming industry, where companies are adjusting their content libraries and business strategies. Warner Bros. Discovery’s recent actions indicate a shift in focus, with legacy animation no longer playing a central role in Max’s evolving content lineup.
For viewers still interested in watching Looney Tunes, some options remain. MeTV and its spinoff channel, MeTV Toons, continue to air classic episodes. Physical media releases, such as DVD and Blu-ray collections, also offer an alternative for fans seeking to revisit these cartoons.
