Cartoon Network Classics Disappeared from HBO Max This Week

The current leadership at Warner Bros. Discovery—which is set to split into Warner Bros. and Discovery shortly—has historically shown a disinterest in its rich animated legacy. Following the trend of licensing out classic Cartoon Network favorites along with their sequel series to various streaming services, the company still has a few more animated titles to remove from HBO Max. This brings us to the recent developments regarding Courage the Cowardly Dog and What’s New, Scooby-Doo, which have officially exited the platform. According to a report by Deadline, these beloved childhood horror series left the service on July 31 after their licensing agreements came to an end. Sources indicate that the rebranding of the company has resulted in classic children’s shows being deemed “lower priority” during license renewals. Fortunately, fans can still purchase individual episodes and complete seasons of these shows on platforms like iTunes, Prime Video, and others. There’s a strong possibility that by the end of 2025, these beloved series may find their way to a streaming service like Hulu or even Disney+.

However, as many fans have pointed out, the departure of Courage and Scooby signifies that HBO Max is left with no Cartoon Network shows that originally aired before 2010. The only notable exception seems to be Samurai Jack, which is still available due to its final season airing on Adult Swim. Furthermore, the selection of shows from the post-2010 era is also notably lacking. The limited offerings currently available are often tied to other agreements, such as having an HBO Max offshoot (for instance, Young Justice or Fionna & Cake) or being part of the DC Universe, exemplified by titles like Batman: Brave & the Bold. Unfortunately, this means that iconic shows like Regular Show and The Amazing World of Gumball are not accessible on the platform, leaving fans needing to seek them out elsewhere.

Looking ahead, newer children’s shows such as Iyanu are expected to premiere on HBO Max after their initial airing on Cartoon Network. But one must wonder, how long will it be before these new titles also face removal from the service, leaving them stranded in a state of uncertainty?

For those eager to stay updated, explore the latest news from io9 regarding upcoming releases from Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek. Discover what lies ahead for the DC Universe in film and television, along with everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.