The Day the Earth Blew Up

Plot

A scientist in Grandview spots an asteroid heading for Earth, but also sees a UFO flying alongside it. The UFO crashes, and when the scientist goes to investigate, he disappears. Long before this, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig were raised by a farmer named Jim. Before he died, Jim left everything to them, making them promise to learn responsibility by relying on each other.

In the present day, a home inspector named Mrs. Grecht fails the duo because a huge hole from the UFO is in their roof. To save their house from being condemned, they need money for repairs. After losing several jobs because of Daffy, they meet Petunia Pig, a scientist at the Goodie Gum factory searching for the perfect flavor. She hires them.

After one shift, Daffy sees the scientist pouring green goo into the gum supply. He recognizes it as the same residue from their roof hole. The new gum is released worldwide, and Daffy realizes it turns chewers into zombies. He tries to warn everyone at the launch party but is arrested for annoying the Mayor, and both he and Porky are fired.

Porky bails him out, and they meet Petunia again. Daffy asks her to test a gum sample. She discovers an alien invader is behind the contamination. The Invader turns the gum into a sentient monster to stop them, but they defeat it.

They plan to spray people with Petunia's rotten egg extract, making them spit out the gum so it can be burned in mid-air. Porky tells Daffy to stay behind and lay eggs to produce more extract.

Production

In 2019, while working on Looney Tunes Cartoons, series developer Pete Browngardt was asked for ideas for a new Looney Tunes feature film. He settled on a sci-fi B-movie premise from the 1950s, inspired by films such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Day the Earth Stood Still, and wanted to center on Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, acknowledging their previous appearances in Duck Dodgers and Rocket Squad. In September 2021, a film focusing on the duo was reported in development at Warner Bros. Animation, with Kevin Costello as writer and Browngardt as executive producer and director.

Nine storyboard artists also received writing credit. Eric Bauza voices Daffy and Porky, replacing Bob Bergen for the latter; Candi Milo replaced Lara Jill Miller as Petunia Pig.

Additional cast includes Peter MacNicol, Fred Tatasciore, Laraine Newman, and Wayne Knight. Animation was handled by Warner Bros. Animation, Tonic DNA, Powerhouse Animation, and Snipple Animation, with Titmouse providing one sequence.

Character designs were modeled after Bob Clampett's style, while the Invader's design was inspired by Invasion of the Saucer Men. Joshua Moshier composed the score, which was recorded in Los Angeles with a full orchestra. The soundtrack album was released digitally by WaterTower Music on March 14, 2025, and on vinyl by Enjoy The Ride Records, featuring songs including Chewy Chewy by Ohio Express and (Everything I Do) I Do It For You by Bryan Adams.

Release

The Day the Earth Blew Up was originally set for release on HBO Max and Cartoon Network's ACME Night block. In August 2022, due to a restructuring at Warner Bros.

Discovery, the film was shopped to other streaming services. In June 2023, it was retitled Looney Tunes: Bubble Brains, but in October 2023 it was announced for a 2024 theatrical release with the original title restored. GFM Animation launched sales and presented first-look footage at the American Film Market.

The world premiere occurred at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 11, 2024. It first released theatrically in Germany and Switzerland on August 1, 2024, by Warner Bros.

Pictures and Praesens-Film. Ketchup Entertainment acquired North American theatrical rights. The film screened at the Animation Is Film Festival in Los Angeles on October 19, 2024.

Its wide U.S. release was scheduled for February 28, 2025, then pushed to March 14, 2025. In Australia, Pinnacle Films released it on March 27, 2025.

A 4D version debuted at Warner Bros. Movie World's Roxy Theatre on December 23, 2025. Vertigo Releasing released it in the UK on February 13, 2026.

Ketchup Entertainment issued DVD and Blu-ray on May 27, 2025. Digital release in the U.S. occurred on April 15, 2025, and the film debuted on HBO Max on June 27, 2025.

Reception

The Day the Earth Blew Up grossed $8.9 million in the United States and Canada and $6.6 million in other territories, totaling $15.5 million worldwide. In its wide opening weekend, it grossed $3.2 million from 2,827 theaters.

Audiences gave it a CinemaScore of B+ and an 89% positive score on PostTrak, with 72% saying they would definitely recommend it. Peter Debruge of Variety praised its comedy and emotional core, calling it crafted with love and respect for the franchise. Rafael Motomayor of IGN awarded it a 9 out of 10, praising its comedy, emotional core, animation, and Eric Bauza's voice performances, calling it one of the funniest movies of the year.