Looney Tunes has a long history, beginning as animated comedy shorts in 1930 and being reimagined dozens of times, including modern shows like the preschool program Bugs Bunny Builders. Though later depictions of these iconic cartoon characters from the '90s on were more often aimed at educating children, the original shorts are known for being particularly violent and often problematic.
There are many beloved episodes of Looney Tunes from various series within the franchise that continue to be hits. However, some of these episodes are surprisingly dark for a children's show, depicting excessive violence, mature content, and unsettling stereotypes.
10 Jailbird And Jailbunny
The Looney Tunes Show (Season 1, Episode 3)
There's no doubt that the original Looney Tunes changed TV shows and the perception of children's cartoons. However, The Looney Tunes Show, which aired in 2011, appealed more to a modern audience. Though this cartoon was far more appropriate for children, it did have its darker storylines.
In "Jailbird and Jailbunny," Daffy litters at the Grand Canyon, leading to both him and Bugs going to jail. Though it's funny to see how they both act while incarcerated, it's a bit creepy how Bugs' personality makes it so easy for him to assimilate into the rough lifestyle of a prisoner. The storyline overall was a bit dark, teaching kids that not only is littering bad but suggesting it could lead to jail time.
9 You've Got Hate Mail
The Looney Tunes Show (Season 2, Episode 2)
In this modernized episode of The Looney Tunes Show, Daffy runs into an issue with technology being more harmful than helpful. When he drafts a hate email to his friends and girlfriend to express his feelings, he accidentally sends it when he meant to delete it.
While this is a more comedic take on cyberbullying, it's a darker plotline nonetheless. Daffy also says some insensitive things about mental illness in his email to his girlfriend Tina, making it a joke to call someone "deranged" and a "psychopath." These are topics that are particularly mature and heartless for a children's show.
8 For Scent-Imental Reasons
Looney Tunes (1949)
Though the modernized series had some dark, inappropriate content, the original Looney Tunes shorts had a lot of controversial scenes that wouldn't pass today. One of the creepiest aspects of these old cartoons was the one-sided crush Pepe le Pew had on Penelope Pussycat.
One of the most unsettling episodes featuring Pepe was "For Scent-Imental Reasons." This is one of the shorts that was censored during reruns on networks like ABC and Boomerang. There are a few insensitive references to suicide in this short, including Pepe pulling out a gun and pointing it at his head when Penelope is trying to evade him. Not only does this short touch upon unrequited affection and consent issues, but it made light of self-harm.
7 Muh-Muh-Muh-Murder
The Looney Tunes Show (Season 1, Episode 25)
Though there are many Looney Tunes episodes that are shockingly violent, few of them address the subject of serial killers. "Muh-Muh-Muh-Murder" in The Looney Tunes Show, however, made a joke out of suspecting a friend is a serial killer.
When Porky is acting suspiciously while planning a surprise for Daffy's birthday, the duck suspects he is a serial killer because he matches a description of the "Suburban Strangler." This is not only a frightening plotline to put in a children's show, but the episode features some suspenseful and creepy imagery.
6 Hyde And Go Tweet
Merrie Melodies (1960)
"Hyde and Go Tweet" was another Merrie Melodies that played with an older tale. In this loose rendition of the Jekyll and Hyde plot, Sylvester the Cat has a dream that Tweety Bird gets into Dr. Jekyll's Hyde formula and turns monstrous.
The antics of Sylvester and Tweety Bird are among the less controversial Looney Tunes segments. However, this episode was darker than many others. The freaky concept behind Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde translated into a creepy episode with a frightening version of Tweety.
5 Coal Black And De Sebben Dwarfs
Merrie Melodies (1943)
Despite "Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs" being a creation by Robert Clampett intended to pay homage to jazz and swing music in the '40s, most modern audiences view this Looney Tunes short as one of the most stereotypical and problematic animated depictions of African American people.
This parody of Brother Grimm's Snow White features all African American characters, including a hyper-sexualized lead called "So White." Ironically, this short was considered a masterpiece of the time and is even defended by film scholars today. However, the short has still been banned and is considered one of the most unsettling Looney Tunes episodes.
4 One Beer
Tiny Toon Adventures (Season 2, Episode 3)
While the original Looney Tunes was known for things like coining popular phrases, episodes in later series adapted to the modern era by attempting to teach kids lessons instead of just making them laugh. Tiny Toon Adventures focused on teenage Looney Tunes characters learning about adult life.
In the "One Beer" segment, these young adults drink beer, start acting erratically while intoxicated, and then drive off a cliff to their deaths. While the ending reveals the deaths to be fake, this episode was a rather drastic way for the cartoon to show the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving.
3 Invasion Of The Bunny Snatchers
Looney Tunes (1992)
In this Looney Tunes short, the plotline attempts to mimic one of the most terrifying alien invasion movies, Invasion of the Body Snatchers. When strange carrots appear, the other cartoons Bugs Bunny often interacts with are replaced with alternates that don't resemble the character's personality.
Though this cartoon ends on a happier note than the original horror movie, the creepy imposters are disturbing representations of aliens. The episode also features an imposter Bugs who tries to kill the real Bugs, adding some violence along with the freaky storyline.
2 Bugs Bunny Nips The Nips
Merrie Melodies (1944)
Many Looney Tunes episodes are known for their excessive violence, but some of the oldest shorts in the Merrie Melodies series are dark because of their terrible depictions of different races and groups of people. Featuring the chaotic character Bugs Bunny, this short follows him as he lands on an island and runs into Japanese soldiers.
This episode was released during World War II, featuring hurtful and crude depictions of the Japanese people. This is one of the most controversial Bugs Bunny shorts, resulting in the cartoon being removed from VHS/DVD collections and excluded from network reruns of the Looney Tunes collection.
1 Bye, Bye Bluebeard
Merrie Melodies (1949)
The newer version of Looney Tunes featured a mistaken murderer, but this classic Merrie Melodies short has a dangerous murderer as the central antagonist. This episode also features Porky, but this time he's the victim of Bluebeard as the wolf tries to repeatedly kill the pig.
While the Looney Tunes didn't shy away from violence, this sequence was particularly violent. This is another episode that had to be censored upon later releases, removing a scene in which Bluebeard attempts to use a guillotine on Porky. This is a consistently brutal episode from beginning to end, concluding with the villain exploding.