Warner Bros., Steven Spielberg and Amblin Television are heading back to the water tower with new partner Hulu for a two-season, straight-to-series reboot of ’90s toon Animaniacs.
Set to premiere on Hulu in 2020, the reboot will see inseparable siblings Yakko, Wakko and Dot escape from the Warner Bros. water tower once again and head to the city. Fan-favorite characters Pinky and the Brain will also return to make special appearances in each episode.
Legendary filmmaker Spielberg (Ready Player One, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) will return as executive producer alongside Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Digital Series president Sam Register, as well as Amblin co-presidents Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank.
Hulu has also secured a deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution for exclusive streaming rights to the entire Animaniacs library comprising all 99 episodes of the original series (available on Hulu now), as well as popular spin-offs Pinky and the Brain, Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain, and the complete Tiny Toon Adventures collection.
Since making its television debut in 1993, Animaniacs went on to set the record for the most Daytime Emmy wins (four) in the field of Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition for any animated series, and is widely regarded as one of the most inventive, comedic animated franchises in history for its unique blend of songs and pop culture references.
Animaniacs will now sit alongside Hulu’s library of other exclusive kids programming including Teen Titans Go!, Curious George, The Powerpuff Girls, Doozers, Adventure Time, Doc McStuffins and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The deal follows Disney’s purchase of Fox’s 30% stake in Hulu, making the House of Mouse a majority owner of the service. It also follows more online platforms taking advantage of co-view opportunities. In February 2017, YouTube launched its Red Originals for Families lineup that now includes Hyperlinked, DanTDM Creates A Big Scene, The Kings of Atlantis, Fruit Ninja: Frenzy Force and Furze World Wonders.