Warner Bros. Animation

Warner Bros. Animation Inc.
	File:Warner Bros. Animation logo.svg Logo used since 2019
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Animation
Predecessor	Warner Bros. Cartoons
Founded	March 15, 1980; 46 years ago
Headquarters	Burbank, California, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Animated television programs, direct-to-video films
Owner	Warner Bros. Discovery
Parent	Warner Bros. Television Group
Website	www.warnerbros.com/studio/divisions/warner-bros-animation

Warner Bros. Animation Inc. (WBA) operates as an American animation studio within the Warner Bros. Television Group, itself a branch of Warner Bros. Entertainment and ultimately owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It functions as the principal animation division for Warner Bros.

Established in 1980 to succeed Warner Bros. Cartoons (active from 1933 to 1969), WBA maintains a strong association with legendary series such as Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies. The studio was revived to breathe new life into these classic franchises. After Turner Broadcasting System merged with Time Warner in 1996, the studio broadened its range of properties. The incorporation of Hanna-Barbera into WBA in 2001 further expanded its scope within the market.

Presently, Warner Bros. Animation dedicates itself to creating television programs and direct-to-video productions that showcase characters drawn from Warner Bros. Discovery’s vast intellectual property portfolio, which includes Turner Entertainment’s MGM cartoon collection, Hanna-Barbera, Ruby-Spears, and DC Entertainment assets. This consolidation strategy enhances WBA’s position in the animation sector by offering a diverse array of products and services aligned with corporate growth strategies.

1970–1986: Revival of the studio

The original Warner Bros. Cartoons studio ceased operations on October 10, 1969, as escalating expenses and diminishing profits from short subject productions made continuation unsustainable. Subsequently, Warner Bros. outsourced the animation of Looney Tunes for television specials and advertisements. In 1975, former Warner animator Chuck Jones initiated a series of Looney Tunes television specials through his own company, beginning with Carnival of the Animals. This effort, alongside the 1975 documentary Bugs Bunny: Superstar, led Jones to create The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie (1979), which combined classic shorts with newly produced segments featuring Bugs Bunny. The commercial success of this project motivated Warner Bros. to revive its own animation division.

On March 15, 1980, Warner Bros. Animation officially reopened with a focus on compilation films and TV specials centered around Looney Tunes. Hal Geer, who had formerly worked as a sound effects editor, was appointed as the first head of the revived studio. He was soon joined by executive producer Friz Freleng, who returned after his tenure at DePatie–Freleng Enterprises. The studio produced fresh wraparound sequences for movies such as The Looney Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie (1981), Bugs Bunny's 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales (1982), and Daffy Duck's Fantastic Island (1983). The creative team included experienced writers like John Dunn and Dave Detiege.

By 1986, Friz Freleng had departed from the company, and Hal Geer stepped down in 1987. Steven S. Greene briefly succeeded Geer before Kathleen Helppie-Shipley assumed leadership, spearheading a significant resurgence of the Looney Tunes franchise. During this period, the studio continued to produce special projects and theatrical shorts such as The Duxorcist (1987), Night of the Living Duck (1988), Box-Office Bunny (1990), and Carrotblanca (1995). These productions frequently involved direction by Greg Ford, Terry Lennon, and Darrell Van Citters.

1986–1996: Expansion into Television Animation

Starting in 1986, Warner Bros. ventured into the realm of television animation under the leadership of WB Animation President Jean MacCurdy. She brought on board producer Tom Ruegger and his creative team, previously associated with Hanna-Barbera's A Pup Named Scooby-Doo (1988–1991). The television animation division was set up near the Sherman Oaks Galleria in Los Angeles. One of its initial successes was Tiny Toon Adventures (1990–1995), developed in collaboration with Amblin Entertainment, which effectively reintroduced Looney Tunes characters to a younger demographic. Following this, other Amblin/Warner Bros. productions such as Animaniacs (1993–1998), Pinky and the Brain (1995–1998), and Freakazoid! (1995–1997) sustained this momentum with strong audience engagement.

Warner Bros. also produced animated series inspired by its sibling company DC Comics, including titles like Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995), Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000), and Justice League Unlimited (2001–2006). These programs appealed to a wide range of viewers and became integral components of the DC animated franchise. The 1993 theatrical release Batman: Mask of the Phantasm garnered critical praise but did not meet box office expectations initially, later achieving commercial success through home video sales. In 2003, Warner Bros. Television Animation was merged back into Warner Bros. Animation, streamlining their animation operations.

1990–2004: Warner Bros. Feature Animation

In the midst of the 1990s animation resurgence, Warner Bros. inaugurated its feature animation division under the direction of Disney alumnus Max Howard. Early titles included Canadian-produced films such as The Nutcracker Prince (1990) and Rover Dangerfield (1991), both of which struggled commercially due to inadequate marketing efforts. Following Warner’s acquisition of Turner Entertainment in 1996, Turner Feature Animation was integrated into Warner's feature animation unit.

The division’s breakthrough came with the hybrid live-action/animated film Space Jam (1996), featuring NBA legend Michael Jordan alongside Bugs Bunny. While critical reception was mixed, it achieved substantial box office success, supported by extensive international outsourcing for animation production.

Turner Feature Animation’s final project, Cats Don't Dance (1997), earned favorable reviews but failed to perform well financially, primarily because of weak promotional campaigns. Subsequent releases from Warner Bros.—including Quest for Camelot (1998) and Osmosis Jones (2001)—received mixed critiques and modest box office returns; however, Quest for Camelot was recognized for its notable soundtrack.

Brad Bird’s critically lauded film The Iron Giant (1999) suffered from a hurried release schedule and insufficient marketing, which hindered its commercial performance despite positive critical acclaim.

After these projects, Warner Bros. reduced its feature animation workforce and centralized its operations at Sherman Oaks.

The studio’s concluding feature animation effort was Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003), intended to rejuvenate classic cartoon franchises with plans for new shorts spearheaded by producer Larry Doyle. The film’s underwhelming box office results led to cancellation of these initiatives and the absorption of Warner Bros. Feature Animation into Warner Bros. Animation in 2004. Since then, Looney Tunes content has predominantly been television-focused until the release of Space Jam: A New Legacy in 2021.

Filmography
Title	Release date	Director(s)	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Co-production with	Budget	Gross
Space Jam	November 15, 1996	Live Action: Joe Pytka Animation: Bruce W. Smith, Tony Cervone	Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick, Timothy Harris, Herschel Weingrod	Joe Medjuck, Daniel Goldberg, Ivan Reitman	Warner Bros. Family Entertainment, Northern Lights Entertainment	$80 million	$250.2 million
Cats Don't Dance	March 26, 1997	Mark Dindal	Rick Schneider et al.	David Kirschner, Paul Gertz	Warner Bros. Family Entertainment, Turner Feature Animation	$32 million	$3.6 million
Quest for Camelot	May 15, 1998	Frederik Du Chau	Kirk DeMicco et al.	Dalisa Cohen	Warner Bros. Family Entertainment	$40 million	$38.1 million
The Iron Giant	August 6, 1999	Brad Bird	Brad Bird, Tim McCanlies	Allison Abbate, Des McAnuff	N/A	$70–80 million	$31.3 million
Osmosis Jones	August 10, 2001	Live-action: Bobby Farrelly & Peter Farrelly Animation: Piet Kroon & Tom Sito	Marc Hyman	Dennis Edwards et al.	Conundrum Entertainment	$70 million	$14 million
Looney Tunes: Back in Action	November 14, 2003	Live-action: Joe Dante Animation: Eric Goldberg	Larry Doyle	Paula Weinstein, Bernie Goldman	Baltimore Spring Creek Productions et al.	$80 million	$68.5 million

Combines live-action with animation.

1996–2019: Expansion through Library Acquisitions

The 1996 merger between Time Warner and Turner Broadcasting System restored ownership of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, while also bringing Turner Feature Animation and Hanna-Barbera Productions under Warner Bros.' umbrella. Turner Feature Animation was integrated into Warner Bros. Feature Animation, and Hanna-Barbera combined operations with Warner Bros. Animation. Until 1998, Hanna-Barbera operated from its Hollywood studios before moving to Sherman Oaks alongside Warner Bros. Animation.

Following William Hanna's passing in 2001, Warner Bros. took full control over Hanna-Barbera's properties such as Scooby-Doo, producing numerous direct-to-video movies and launching new series including What's New, Scooby-Doo? (2002–2006) and Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue! (2006–2008). The merger also provided access to the pre-1986 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon catalog, featuring iconic characters like Tom and Jerry and Droopy. Warner Bros. Animation co-produced several Tom and Jerry direct-to-video films and expanded its presence in primetime television with series such as Baby Blues and 3-South.

Post-merger, shows originally developed by Hanna-Barbera for Cartoon Network transitioned to Cartoon Network Studios. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Animation concentrated on animated TV series and direct-to-video projects, supplying content for Kids' WB's Saturday morning lineup until the block ended in 2008. Key productions during this era included Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!, Krypto the Superdog, Xiaolin Showdown, The Batman, Loonatics Unleashed, and Tom and Jerry Tales. By 2007, the studio underwent downsizing, closing its Sherman Oaks facility in 2008 and relocating operations to the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank. After Kids' WB! ceased broadcasting, production activity diminished, with only Batman: The Brave and the Bold continuing.

In an effort to strengthen its digital footprint, Warner Bros. Animation launched KidsWB.com (also known as T-Works) in 2008. This platform unified key animated franchises—including Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, MGM characters, and DC Comics—offering an interactive experience featuring original programming, classic episodes, games, and virtual worlds.

In 2009, several new projects were announced by Warner Bros. Animation: the Cartoon Network series Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated; reimaginings such as The Looney Tunes Show and ThunderCats; along with DC Comics-based productions like MAD, Green Lantern: The Animated Series, and Young Justice. The studio also created the DC Showcase series—short films highlighting lesser-known DC superheroes—designed to accompany direct-to-video releases.

On July 30, 2010, Warner Bros. Animation debuted Coyote Falls, a 3D theatrical short starring Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner. This marked the studio’s first theatrical animation since 2005 and their initial use of CGI stereoscopic 3D technology. Two additional shorts followed later that year. In 2011, three more shorts premiered alongside major feature films: I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat, Daffy's Rhapsody, and Flash in the Pain. Directed by Matthew O'Callaghan and produced by Reel FX Creative Studios, these shorts are accessible via Warner Bros. Animation's official YouTube channel.

On October 27, 2014, Warner Bros. Animation collaborated with sister company Williams Street to create its inaugural Adult Swim series, Mike Tyson Mysteries. This show offered a satirical homage to 1970s cartoons and celebrity-driven programming. Additionally, the studio produced the stop-motion holiday special Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas for NBC, inspired by the New Line Cinema film and stage musical adaptation, featuring Jim Parsons in a starring role.

2019–present: Revival through animation

On June 11, 2018, Warner Bros. Animation revealed plans for a fresh series of shorts titled Looney Tunes Cartoons, scheduled for release in 2019 across traditional broadcast and streaming services. The inaugural season delivers 1,000 minutes comprising brief episodes ranging from one to six minutes, featuring iconic characters voiced by contemporary talent. These shorts focus on straightforward, humor-centric, and visually dynamic narratives designed to resonate with longtime enthusiasts. Executive production is led by Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation, alongside Peter Browngardt, known for creating Secret Mountain Fort Awesome and Uncle Grandpa.

In August 2021, Jason DeMarco took on the role of Senior Vice President for Anime & Action Series/Longform at Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, strengthening leadership within vital content divisions.

Following the disbandment of the Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics unit by Warner Bros. Discovery, on May 11, 2022, Warner Bros. Animation was reorganized under the umbrella of Warner Bros. Television.

Further restructuring by Warner Bros. Discovery on October 11, 2022, led to the merger of development and production teams between Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios; despite this integration, both studios continued operating with distinct brands and creative outputs.

By July 2023, personnel from Warner Bros. Animation transitioned from the Warner Bros. Ranch to the newly established Warner Bros. Second Century building, uniting their operations alongside Cartoon Network Studios.

Filmography

Bibliography

External links