If you thought hand-drawn animation was a thing of the past, think again — because The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie has just proven there’s still plenty of cartoon magic left in those old ACME crates. Directed by Pete Browngardt, this animated feature is making waves not just for its zany humor, but for reviving the timeless charm of traditional animation. And perhaps nowhere is the love stronger than in Mexico, where the film has become a runaway hit.
A Long-Awaited Moment for Looney Tunes
Surprisingly, The Day the Earth Blew Up marks the very first fully animated Looney Tunes film made for theaters that’s based entirely on new material — nearly 100 years after Bugs, Daffy, and the gang first burst onto the scene. While previous Looney Tunes movies mixed live action with animation or drew heavily from existing shorts, this film stands alone as an original creation from start to finish. And fans old and new are loving it.
Old-School Animation, Reimagined
What truly sets this movie apart is its fearless return to traditional, hand-drawn animation — a style that many feared was lost in a sea of 3D renderings and digital shortcuts. Browngardt and the animators at Warner Bros. went back to their roots, channeling the manic energy of Looney Tunes legends like Bob Clampett. The designs, colors, and physical comedy all feel lifted straight from the 1940s golden era of Warner cartoons — but with a fresh twist that keeps things moving at a modern pace.
Critics have been quick to applaud the movie’s look and feel. As The Saturday Evening Post put it, “Hand-made animation makes a triumphant, wacked-out comeback.” And it really does — with Porky Pig and Daffy Duck taking center stage in a story that’s as hilarious as it is nostalgic.
Bubblegum Aliens and Intergalactic Chaos
The plot? Ridiculously fun. Daffy and Porky find themselves at the heart of a wacky sci-fi conspiracy involving aliens, a suspicious factory, and mind-controlling bubble gum. The storyline plays like a love letter to 1950s B-movie science fiction, complete with ray guns, secret experiments, and cosmic shenanigans. But make no mistake — this isn’t just a throwback. The jokes are sharp, the pacing tight, and the action packed with all the visual gags and slapstick mayhem fans expect from a Looney Tunes adventure.
A Hit South of the Border
Since its global rollout in early 2025, The Day the Earth Blew Up has done solid business at the box office, raking in over $11.7 million worldwide. And while international stats continue to climb, one market that’s shown particularly strong support is Mexico.
Known as El día que la Tierra explotó: Una película de Looney Tunes in Spanish-speaking regions, the movie has found a passionate audience in Mexico — a country with a long-standing affection for Bugs, Daffy, Tweety, and the rest of the crew. The characters have been household names for generations thanks to dubbed reruns on local TV, and that nostalgic connection is now drawing families to theaters in droves.
Cinemas across Mexico have reported enthusiastic attendance, especially among parents eager to share a piece of their childhood with their kids. For many viewers, it’s not just a movie — it’s a celebration of an animation style they grew up loving but haven’t seen on the big screen in years.
A Cultural Win for Classic Animation
Animation fans and film critics alike have praised the movie for striking that rare balance — honoring the past while making something exciting for today’s audience. It doesn’t rely on pop culture references or flashy cameos. Instead, it stays true to the Looney Tunes spirit: fast, funny, chaotic, and clever.
In doing so, it may have also helped spark a renewed appreciation for traditional animation. As more people discover (or rediscover) the joys of hand-drawn artistry, we might be witnessing a shift in what audiences expect — and want — from animated films.
Final Thoughts
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is more than just a fun cartoon romp. It’s proof that when you treat legacy characters with care, and put craft above shortcuts, magic happens. And with Mexican audiences embracing it so enthusiastically, it’s clear that the love for classic animation runs deep — and still packs a punch.
Maybe the Earth didn’t actually blow up, but the box office sure did.