In a move that has left animation enthusiasts reeling, Warner Bros. Discovery has removed all classic Looney Tunes episodes from its streaming platform Max as of March 16, 2025. The decision strips the service of the iconic shorts that introduced generations to characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, replacing them with a void that has sparked confusion and frustration among subscribers. While newer iterations of the franchise, such as New Looney Tunes and Tiny Toons Looniversity, remain available for streaming, the absence of the original classics has raised questions about the company’s intentions—and whether this is another misstep in its handling of the beloved catalog.
You can still get Looney Tunes classic episodes on Blu-ray on Amazon.
The removal echoes a previous incident in November 2023, when Warner Bros. Discovery announced that classic Looney Tunes shorts would exit Max by December 31 of that year. At the time, the news triggered a swift backlash from fans, who took to social media to decry the loss of a cultural touchstone. Hours later, the company reversed course, admitting the listing was an “error” and assuring subscribers that the shorts would stay put. That reversal offered temporary relief, but today’s development suggests either a deliberate shift in strategy or yet another blunder in communication. Warner Bros. Discovery has yet to release an official statement clarifying the situation, leaving fans to speculate whether this is a permanent excision or an unintended glitch.
The classic Looney Tunes episodes, spanning from 1930 to the early 2000s, are more than just cartoons—they’re a cornerstone of animation history. Featuring the zany antics of characters crafted by legends like Tex Avery and Chuck Jones, these shorts have long been celebrated for their timeless humor and groundbreaking artistry. Their removal from Max follows a pattern of content cuts under CEO David Zaslav’s tenure, which has seen the company shelve completed projects like Coyote vs. Acme for tax write-offs and trim other animated offerings to reduce costs. Last year alone, Max shed over 250 Looney Tunes shorts from 1950 onward, a move that already thinned the library significantly. Now, with the pre-1950 seasons gone too, the platform’s once-robust collection has vanished entirely.
For subscribers, the loss is palpable. While New Looney Tunes and Tiny Toons Looniversity cater to modern audiences with updated sensibilities, they lack the raw, anarchic charm of the originals. You can also find the 2020 reboot of Looney Tunes still on Max but not the classics. Fans argue that these newer shows, though entertaining, can’t replicate the cultural weight or nostalgic pull of seeing Bugs outsmart Elmer Fudd in a grainy, hand-drawn classic.
Sadly for now this makes it hard for fans of the classic Looney Toons to find the shows online.
The timing couldn’t be worse. With The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie recently hitting theaters—the franchise’s first fully animated feature without live-action elements—interest in Looney Tunes is arguably at a high. Yet, instead of capitalizing on this momentum, Warner Bros. Discovery has pulled the rug out from under fans eager to revisit the shorts that started it all. Whether this is a cost-cutting measure, a licensing shuffle, or another “error” remains unclear. Until the company breaks its silence, the fate of these animated treasures hangs in the balance, leaving subscribers to wonder if “That’s all, folks” is more than just a catchphrase this time around.
Cord Cutters News is reaching out to Warner Bros. Disocveyr for comment and will update our story as we learn more.
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