HBO Max Quietly Pulls the Plug on Another Cartoon Network Title

5 days ago 12

The 2023 animated adventure comedy Craig Before the Creek is set to leave HBO Max on January 13 as the streamer continues to scale back its Cartoon Network catalog. The prequel film explores the origins of the beloved Craig of the Creek series and follows Craig, voiced by Philip Solomon, on a journey through the Creek in search of a magical paper fortune teller. Though the good news is that the family entertainer isn’t disappearing entirely from streaming, and viewers will still be able to watch it on Hulu and Disney+.

The removal is part of HBO Max’s broader shift in focus toward adult programming. In the past year alone, the platform has removed several Cartoon Network titles, including The Amazing World of Gumball, the OG Ben 10, The Powerpuff Girls, and Chowder. Even Craig of the Creek, which ran between 2017 and 2025, has not been spared. The original show’s first three seasons were removed from the streamer in late 2024.

HBO Max’s January removals, however, aren’t just limited to animated content. Several fan-favorite movies, including Taxi Driver, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and The Peanut Butter Falcon, are leaving the platform, along with Max Originals such as 4 Blocks and What Happened, Brittany Murphy?, among others. However, the streamer is also welcoming a strong slate of new arrivals this month. Highlights include The Pitt Season 2, along with the premiere of the highly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Netflix Is Now Streaming Cartoon Network’s Biggest Breakout Show

As HBO Max continues to streamline its content and drop animated pieces that didn't work for the streamer, many Cartoon Network shows, including Scooby-Doo and Justice League, are finding new homes on other streaming platforms. Teen Titans GO!, in particular, has now joined this growing list, with the series’ first five seasons now available for streaming on Netflix. Seasons 6 and 7, however, remain on HBO Max.

Teen Titans GO! was initially met with backlash from fans of the original Teen Titans, but quickly became one of Cartoon Network’s longest-running and most-watched programs. The show premiered in 2013 and offers a comedic take on DC Comics’ fictional superhero team. Scott Menville, Hynden Walch, Tara Strong, Khary Payton, and Greg Cipes reprised their iconic roles as Robin, Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy, respectively. Over the course of nine seasons and more than 430 episodes, Teen Titans GO! has also expanded its universe with crossovers featuring characters from DC Super Hero Girls, Young Justice, and even the Teen Titans live-action series.

Craig Before the Creek will be available to stream on HBO Max until January 13. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

Release Date 2003 - 2006-00-00

Network Cartoon Network

Directors Michael Chang, Alex Soto, Ben Jones, Ciro Nieli, Matt Youngberg

Writers David Slack, Amy Wolfram, Rob Hoegee, Adam Beechen, Greg Klein, Rick Copp, Tom Pugsley, Marv Wolfman, Richard Elliott, Simon Racioppa, Dwayne McDuffie, John Esposito, Melody Fox, Joelle Sellner, George Pérez