The Warner Brothers

History

The Warner Brothers, four Jewish siblings – Harry Warner, Albert Warner, Sam Warner, and Jack Warner, founded "Warner Bros. Studios" in 1923, laying the foundation for what would become one of the entertainment industry's major players.

The studio's first star was a dog named Rin Tin Tin, who starred in 26 films produced by Warner Bros.

The animation division of the Warner Brothers, also known as Warner Bros. Cartoons, was established in 1930 as an independent company owned by Leon Schlesinger. Many of its animators had previously worked at Walt Disney's studios.

This animation studio gave birth to a series of iconic cartoons, collectively known as the "Looney Tunes," featuring beloved characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. In 1944, Warner Bros. acquired the animation studio, and over the next few decades, these characters would become synonymous with the Warner Bros. brand.

In the 1930s, the Warner Brothers gained recognition for their dark crime dramas, as well as action and adventure films. In 1927, they took a financial risk by investing in the new technology of sound, producing the groundbreaking film "The Jazz Singer," which became a sensation and marked the transition from silent films to talkies. This film earned Warner Bros. an honorary Oscar. In 1948, the Warner Brothers became pioneers in presenting color newsreels.

In 1967, facing financial losses, the company was acquired by "Seven Arts Productions," and its name changed to "Warner Bros.-Seven Arts." During this period, the film "Bonnie and Clyde" was released, which helped turn the company's fortunes around.

Two years later, the company was once again sold to the "Kinney National Company," and its name reverted to "Warner Bros." Ted Ashley headed the film studio under the new ownership.

In 1995, the Warner Brothers launched the WB Network, targeting a teenage audience. Some of the network's notable shows included "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Seventh Heaven," and "Dawson's Creek."

Towards the end of the 20th century, the Warner Brothers acquired the rights to produce the "Harry Potter" film series. They released "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in 2001, followed by subsequent installments.

In 2006, the Warner Brothers closed down The WB network and, in collaboration with CBS Corporation, launched The CW network.

In May 2011, Warner Bros. acquired Rotten Tomatoes and Flixster, providing them access to approximately 25 million monthly visitors and a significant audience for marketing their products.

In 2020, the company announced that all of its planned movies for 2021, including "Wonder Woman 1984," "The Matrix: Resurrections," and "Dune," would be released simultaneously in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming service.

In the 1990s, after the tremendous success of the film "Batman," Warner Bros., in collaboration with DC Comics, began producing animated series based on their comic book heroes, including Batman, Superman, and the Justice League.

In 1992, they released the critically acclaimed animated series "Batman: The Animated Series," praised for its innovative animation techniques and mature, sophisticated storytelling. This success led to the creation of three sequel series ("Batman & Robin," "The New Batman Adventures," and "Batman Beyond") and additional animated series featuring DC heroes like Superman and the Justice League.

During the same period, Warner Bros. also produced several edgy animated series in partnership with Steven Spielberg. These series included "Tiny Toon Adventures," "Animaniacs," "Freakazoid!" and "Pinky and the Brain."

In January 2013, the Warner Brothers established "Warner Animation Group," a subsidiary that produced animated films such as "The Lego Movie," "Storks," "The Lego Batman Movie," "The Lego Ninjago Movie," and "Smallfoot."

The Warner Brothers' rich history in the entertainment industry spans film, television, animation, and beyond, making them a prominent and enduring force in global media and entertainment.