Cartoons from the 60s, 70s, and 80s shaped a whole generation of viewers. The Flintstone family, the detective dog Scooby-Doo, and the futuristic Jetsons not only became pop culture icons but also turned the studios behind them into giants of the entertainment industry. Decades later, these studios are still around—some in new forms, others as part of major corporations. Here’s a look at the present and future of five of them.
1. Hanna-Barbera Productions
Founded by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, this studio brought to life The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, The Jetsons, Yogi Bear, and dozens of other beloved characters. In the late 1990s, Hanna-Barbera was acquired by Turner Broadcasting and later merged into Cartoon Network Studios. Today, the Hanna-Barbera brand is rarely used independently, but Cartoon Network continues to draw inspiration from its legacy—with remakes, special episodes, and digital restorations of the classics.
2. Warner Bros. Animation
Warner Bros. has a storied history, creating Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies as far back as the 1930s. Later, Warner Bros. took over Hanna-Barbera’s legacy and now holds the rights to nearly all classic characters—from Bugs Bunny to Scooby-Doo. Currently, the studio produces both classic-themed projects (like Space Jam: A New Legacy) and modern series on HBO Max. It remains one of the few major studios successfully blending traditional characters with new productions.
3. Walt Disney Animation Studios
While Disney didn’t create The Flintstones or Scooby-Doo, it has always been a major competitor and benchmark in the animation world. The studio experienced a slump in the 1980s but bounced back in the 1990s with the so-called “Disney Renaissance” (Aladdin, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast). Today, Disney Animation works closely with Pixar and continues to dominate with hits like Frozen and Encanto. Although its style differs from Hanna-Barbera’s classics, Disney keeps animation at the forefront of global entertainment.
4. Filmation Studios
Filmation was known for series like He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, and comic book adaptations like Superman. The studio closed its doors in 1989, but its legacy lives on through DreamWorks Animation and Mattel Television, which continue to use He-Man and other properties. Recent Masters of the Universe series on Netflix show that Filmation’s cartoons still have an audience decades later.
5. Cartoon Network Studios
Founded in 1994 to inherit Hanna-Barbera’s legacy, Cartoon Network Studios became a symbol of a new generation of cartoons—Dexter’s Laboratory, Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, and later Adventure Time and Regular Show. Today, the studio operates under Warner Bros. Discovery and focuses mainly on streaming platforms. While it no longer has the cult status of the 90s, it remains one of the few studios experimenting with new styles and nurturing young talent.
Conclusion
The classic cartoons that millions grew up with continue to thrive—sometimes in restored versions, sometimes through modern remakes or new interpretations. Whether it’s The Flintstones or Scooby-Doo, the legacy of Hanna-Barbera and the other studios remains alive. Today, these companies exist in a new context—as parts of huge corporations and streaming platforms—but the magic of their old characters hasn’t faded. They serve as bridges between generations and proof that great animation never truly grows old.
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