ACME Night
| File:ACME Night.jpg | |
| Network | Cartoon Network (September 19, 2021– August 27, 2023) Adult Swim (September 3, 2023 - December 29, 2024) |
|---|---|
| Launched | September 19, 2021 (Cartoon Network) September 3, 2023 (Adult Swim) |
| Closed | August 27, 2023 (Cartoon Network) December 29, 2024 (Adult Swim) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Owner | Warner Bros. Discovery (Cartoon Network) |
| Running time | 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Adult Swim, Sundays) |
| Original language(s) |
|
ACME Night was a weekly American programming block. It premiered on September 19, 2021 on Cartoon Network (September 19, 2021 - August 27, 2023) and on Adult Swim (September 3, 2023 - December 29, 2024) , airing on Sunday evenings. It aired animated and live-action movies and series.[1] The block was conceived by Warner Bros. Discovery (then WarnerMedia) executive Tom Ascheim to encourage "co-viewing," targeting a multi-generational audience with family-friendly content. It served as a spiritual successor to Flicks, a similar movie block that aired on Cartoon Network from 2008 to 2015. The branding, including its name and original opening bumper featuring Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner, was derived from the fictional ACME Corporation from Looney Tunes.
History
On September 1, 2021, WarnerMedia Kids & Family announced the creation of ACME Night, a new weekly programming block scheduled to air every Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network. The block was part of a larger initiative by network president Tom Ascheim to broaden the channel's demographic appeal by fostering "co-viewing" opportunities for children and their parents. Its name was a tribute to the fiction ACME Corporation from the Looney Tunes.
The block officially debuted on September 19, 2021, with a broadcast of the DC Extended Universe film Shazam!. The initial lineup featured a heavy rotation of major theatrical titles, including Man of Steel, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, and Detective Pikachu.
Initial broadcasts were distinguished by custom on-air branding, which included computer-animated bumpers featuring Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner in futuristic desert scenes. These elements were designed to signal the start of the family-oriented block before the transition into Adult Swim's nightly sign-on.
Adult Swim Era (2023-2025)
On September 3, 2023 the ACME Night block officially moved to Adult Swim following the network's daily sign-on expansion to 5:00 p.m. ET/PT. The transition effectively made the block a fully branded Adult Swim product, though it continued to air family-friendly theatrical and animated films. The first film broadcast during the Adult Swim era was Batman Forever.
The block's presentation evolved during its tenure on the channel. By September 24, 2023, Adult Swim discontinued the specific ACME Night intro bumpers, replacing them with a standard network advisory warning followed immediately by the movie. Throughout 2024, the block experienced several hiatuses, often being replaced by Futurama marathons or direct-to-video films for several weeks at a time.
ACME Night concluded its three-year run on December 29, 2024, with a final airing of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the block ended with the final words "ACME Night continues now" marking the end to the block. The block was discontinued as part of a 2025 schedule revamp that included the return of Family Guy and a shift in programming focus for the 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. hours. Following its closure, the Sunday time slot was replaced with reruns of King of the Hill.
Programming History
The ACME Night programming block officially debuted on September 19, 2021, on Cartoon Network, launched as part of a major initiative by then-president Tom Ascheim to foster "co-viewing"—a strategy designed to bring children and their parents together through family-friendly, multi-generational content. Taking its name from the iconic fictional corporation of Looney Tunes fame, the block served as a spiritual successor to "Flicks," the network's previous movie destination that ran from 2008 to 2015.
Launch and Identity
The inaugural broadcast featured the DC Extended Universe blockbuster Shazam!, setting a high-octane tone for the Sunday night slot. Early airings were characterized by high-production, custom-animated bumpers. These promos featured Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner in futuristic desert landscapes, visually signaling the transition from standard daytime programming into a curated "event" atmosphere.
Expansion into Original Content
While the block primarily served as a showcase for theatrical hits, including Man of Steel, Detective Pikachu, and The LEGO Movie 2. It also functioned as a launchpad for original series and specials: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses: A four-part quiz show hosted by Helen Mirren that premiered on November 28, 2021, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first film. Unicorn: Warriors Eternal: The long-awaited series from Genndy Tartakovsky, which made its Cartoon Network debut on the block on May 7, 2023, following its Adult Swim premiere. My Adventures with Superman: A fresh take on the Man of Steel’s origin story, which saw its first season episodes marathon on the block throughout the summer of 2023.
Structural Changes and Legacy
The block’s presentation faced significant changes in late 2022. Following the Warner Bros. Discovery merger and subsequent staff reductions, which notably impacted the network's promo and creative departments—the custom-animated Wile E. Coyote intros were retired in favor of standard network branding.
On September 3, 2023, ACME Night officially moved its home to Adult Swim as part of that network's "Checkered Past" expansion into the 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. hours. The block eventually concluded its three-year run on December 29, 2024, with a final airing of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, making way for a 2025 schedule revamp that saw the return of Family Guy to the time slot.
References
- ↑ Tapp, Tom (September 1, 2021). "WarnerMedia Kids & Family Launches Weekly 'ACME Night' Programming Block For Families On Cartoon Network". Deadline Hollywood.