We have exclusively learned that Pinnacle Films will be distributing the new Looney Tunes movie ‘The Day the Earth Blew Up’ in Australian cinemas.
It is the first 2D animated feature-length Looney Tunes movie to ever release in cinemas. The story follows Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and Petunia Pig as they become earth’s only hope against an alien invasion.
The movie was produced by Warner Bros. Animation, but the studio ultimately decided not to distribute the film. Instead they auctioned it to GFM Animation, who is selling the distribution rights to other companies globally.
Global Distribution
Ketchup Entertainment acquired the rights to distribute the film in the US with a 13 December 2024 release date. However the film has already release in several European markets since mid-2024.
It first premiered in Germany and Switzerland on August 1 2024. It has since released in Israel, Greece, Taiwan, Italy, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic from October to November. An early 2025 release is set for the UK, Japan, and other major markets.
All of these releases are by managed by various domestic distribution companies that have acquired the rights, with the exception of Germany where WB are releasing it themselves.
Australian Release
While the Australian release date is not set yet, it appears likely that Pinnacle Films have acquired the rights.
Our source comes from the fact that Pinnacle Films have recently updated their website to indicate this. Their homepage currently displays an image of the movie with the caption “Announcement Coming Soon”.
Pinnacle Films was established in 2008 as a division of All Interactive Distribution (AID), a major distributor of DVDs and Blu-Rays in Australia. Pinnacle Films has a strong track record of acquiring international movies and bringing them to audiences across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.
Pinnacle’s notable past releases include Drive (2011) starring Ryan Gosling, Dallas Buyers Club (2013), and Predestination (2014) starring Ethan Hawke.
Animated Looney Tunes in Theatres
Australian audiences should be excited at the film’s release locally. It is the first-ever 2D animated Looney Tunes film to release in theatres. All other animated Looney Tunes films have been direct to DVD, with the exception of the theatrical shorts that run before movies in the 1940s and 50s.
While no official announcement has been made, we have reached out to Pinnacle Films for comment and will update this article with any response.
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