HBO Max Loses Cartoon Network Favorite at the Start of the Year

HBO Max and Cartoon Network have had a complicated relationship lately. Many beloved animated series and movies, like Courage the Cowardly Dog and Powerpuff Girls, have disappeared from the streaming service. Now, it seems another gem has left HBO Max as we venture into 2026. Craig of the Creek, a popular Cartoon Network series that won over fans in 2018, had a prequel movie called “Craig Before the Creek.” This movie, released in 2023, has been removed from HBO Max as of January 13th. The movie follows Craig, a new kid in town, on a quest to find a lost treasure in the Creek while befriending new faces and dodging pesky pirates.

The good news is that fans who want to relive Craig’s adventures before he ruled the Creek can still watch the movie. It is available for streaming on Hulu, which also houses the entire Craig of the Creek animated series. Physical copies of the movie on DVD and Blu-Ray are also available for purchase. Curiously, the removal of the movie happened right before a significant milestone for the Craig of the Creek series.

In January 2025, Craig of the Creek concluded its run with the final episode, “See You Tomorrow at the Creek.” After six seasons and nearly 180 episodes, Craig’s story wrapped up in a satisfying way, leaving the future wide open and bringing back many beloved characters to say their goodbyes. Although there are no plans for a reboot or spin-off at the moment, Craig of the Creek has cemented its status as Cartoon Network royalty, joining the ranks of shows like Adventure Time and Regular Show.

When streaming services lose content, it often benefits their competitors. For instance, when HBO Max lost the rights to Looney Tunes, the classic characters found a new home on Tubi and gained a whole new audience. This proves that even classic franchises can attract viewers on different platforms, even after decades.

Overall, the departure of “Craig Before the Creek” might feel like a setback, but fans still have ways to enjoy this beloved series and its enchanting universe. Do you think HBO Max will regret losing another Cartoon Network title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!