Warner Bros. Discovery Marks Tom & Jerry’s 85th Anniversary With Slew Of New Licensing Deals

Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera’s legendary cartoon creations, Tom & Jerry, have turned 85 years old. The iconic cat-and-mouse duo first appeared in the MGM theatrical short film Puss Gets the Boot, which was released to movie theaters on this day in 1940.

In celebration of this anniversary, David Zaslav-led Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) announced today a year-long campaign with new consumer products, expanded distribution of content, and in-person experiences.

That WBD can launch such an expansive campaign around nearly-century-old characters speaks not only to the talents of the people who made these films, but also the incredible longevity of animated filmmaking and the immense financial return it can provide to the people who own the intellectual property.

Hanna and Barbera, the two men who created Tom & Jerry, sadly never owned any part of their creation nor received any part of the billions of dollars in profit generated by their work throughout the decades. Their reward after working on the theatrical series for seventeen years and winning seven Oscars was being laid off from MGM without any prior notice. They often talked about this in interviews, like the one below from 60 Minutes, and it was a situation they avoided repeating when they founded their own animation studio Hanna-Barbera in 1957.

Born on this day in 1911: Joe Barbera, whose films (made with Bill Hanna) have won more animation Oscars than any other person besides Walt Disney. Here Hanna and Barbera describe how MGM repaid their service to the company: pic.twitter.com/fgmUa3dsxD

— cartoonbrew.com – Animation News (@cartoonbrew) March 25, 2023

Here’s a look at companies that are collaborating with WBD’s global consumer products division to launch new Tom & Jerry products this year:

• Acuo – Vibrant colors, iconic characters, and fun in every moment. The Tom and Jerry “Say Cheese Collection” of apparel is developed for the whole Family. Available in Brazil in-store and online.
• Boyhood – With every design rooted in happy memories, each of the Tom and Jerry wooden figures is crafted to make you smile. The figures are more than collectibles — they are a tribute to artistry, storytelling, and the joy of animation’s most beloved cat and mouse. Available around the world on boyhood.dk from the end of March.
• CACO – Now the whole family can show their love for their favorite cat and mouse with CACO’s all-new Tom and Jerry collection. Available in Taiwan in-store and online.
• Casetify – A delightful new collection of phone cases and accessories that honors the timeless rivalry and fun adventures of the infamous characters Tom and Jerry. The collection features vibrant designs and unique motifs from the classic animation, perfect for fans of all ages looking to express their appreciation for this legendary cartoon. Available around the world online at Casetify.com.
• Cetaphil – Tom and Jerry “Moisturizing for Sleep” Limited Edition set includes Cetaphil’s Moisturizing Cream, a 3d figurine of Tom and Jerry that can be attached to the packaging of the Moisturizing Cream, as well as a Tom and Jerry magnet and stickers. Available in China now.
• Converse – Fans across the globe will be prepared for an epic game of cat and mouse as they slip on all-new limited-edition Tom and Jerry x Converse shoes and apparel. The collection features five designs, each with the iconic duo’s slapstick antics on full display across the classic Chuck Taylor All Star, Chuck 70 and T-shirts and hoodies. With bold graphics of the beloved characters across the shoes upper, tongue and outsole, clever details put a spin on the iconic Chuck Taylor silhouette. Through the “Converse By You” platform, fans will also have the opportunity to make their own design choices, customizing the iconic Converse styles with special Tom and Jerry graphics. The collection is set to launch March 6 and will be available in both adult and kid’s sizes in-store and online, including converse.com.
• Cuidado Con el Perro – 85 years of epic hijinks come together to make this limited-edition t-shirt a can’t miss item for summer. Available in Mexico this June at Cuidado Con el Perro.
• DAC – The all-new Tom and Jerry collection of notebooks and stationery will keep you organized and bring smiles to all. Available in Brazil in-store and online.
• Funko – Take a break from hilarious antics and enjoy a sweet treat with Pop! Tom and Pop! Jerry! Available globally online at funko.com and at select retailers now.
• Havaianas – Comfort and style with a Tom and Jerry print that celebrates all the fun of these unforgettable characters. Available in-store and online in Brazil.
• Holiland – Bring your appetite and enjoy another spectacular Tom and Jerry inspired collection at Holiland in China, featuring a Tom and Jerry Cheesecake, Tom and Jerry Butter Sandwich cookies, and Cheese biscuits. Available now.
• House of Sillage – Celebrate 85 years of Tom and Jerry with an opulent fragrance that captures their enduring charm. The fragrance is elegantly presented in an exquisitely designed bottle featuring the duo on the cap embellished with Swarovski crystals and more! This limited fragrance is available in the USA online at houseofsillage.com.
• Jada Toys – What’s a better ride for the ultimate hellion cat, Tom, than a Hellcat? This 1:24 2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat car is completed with a die-cast Jerry figure. Think Jerry can outrun him? Watch the rivalry unfold! Available online.
• Lionel – 85 years of laughs and hijinks inspired the new collection of train sets. Enthusiasts can now own the Tom and Jerry 85th Anniversary Boxcar, Tom and Jerry Illuminated Cartoon Boxcar and the Tom and Jerry Chasing Gondola. Available in-store and online in the US and Canada.
• Loungefly – Fans can look forward to Loungefly’s upcoming Tom and Jerry’s 85th Anniversary collection later this year. Visit loungefly.com and follow the brand @Loungefly on Facebook, Instagram, and X to be notified of upcoming launches.
• Mad Beauty – Embracing the timeless charm of the original animation with a fresh retro-inspired look, our brand-new Tom and Jerry inspired collection spotlights the beloved frenemies across a delightful array of beauty, bath, and body goodies all designed to bring fun, a touch of nostalgia (and a lot of cheese) to daily routines! Available online globally at madbeauty.com.
• Owndays – With its first collection inspired by the beloved slapstick cartoon comedy, the Tom and Jerry x Owndays range will feature four styles of spectacle frames, each available in two colors, alongside two types of spectacle cleaners and cases. Available in select countries around the world this spring in Owndays stores and online.
• Price Shoes – Celebrate 85 years of iconic style with the Tom and Jerry 85th Anniversary Purses. Featuring chic and timeless designs these limited-edition purses combine the core elements of the iconic characters. Available in Mexico exclusively at Price Shoes stores and online starting February 26th.
• RSVLTS – Step up your cat and mouse game with the Tom and Jerry collection of soft and stylish button-down shirts featuring the legendary frenemies. Available to ship to USA, Canada, Australia and the UK on RSVLTS app and rsvlts.com on March 11.
• Rhinoshield – Whether you’re a fan of the goofy Tom or the mischievous Jerry, Rhinoshield has unique designs just for you! Available around the world at shop.rhinoshield.io.
• Sinsay – To celebrate the momentous milestone and the love that generation after generation has for Tom and Jerry a collection of kid’s apparel will be available in-store and online.
• Tully’s Coffee – Get excited for spring with “Time for coffee Be happy” a special Tom and Jerry collection by Tully’s Coffee. The range will feature drinks and foods infused with sakura cherry blossoms. Enjoy a limited-time only cup design with a picture of Tuffy enjoying a coffee, as well as products combining cherry blossoms and original cartoons drawn exclusively for Tully’s that feature the original anime from Japan, Tom and Jerry Gokko.
• Aurora Italia, Beast Kingdom, Carlo Rino, Daiso, Jinwoo, Maxx Sports, Pustaka, and Vision Toy will all be celebrating the 85th anniversary of Tom and Jerry with collections.

And here are some non-consumer product highlights from the yearlong campaign surrounding the characters:

• Max streaming service — Tom & Jerry’s 85th Anniversary will be celebrated across the platform all year long for subscribers in the U.S. to stream their favorite duo. Available now through March 3rd, across European countries where Max is available, customers will be able to access themed rails featuring Tom & Jerry series and movies such as Tom & Jerry Show, Tom & Jerry The Movie, and Tom & Jerry Blast Off to Mars. Max subscribers in Southeast Asia in countries where available now through the end of the year will find themed rails and new Tom and Jerry art across the platform.
• Warner Bros. Classics YouTube — In the U.S., the channel is hosting a month-long livestream event, showcasing a curated lineup of beloved classics, highlighting iconic moments and unforgettable chases that have delighted fans for generations.
• Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection on Blu-ray — This set includes all 23 wide-screen wonders – collected together for the first time on Blu-ray as originally seen in theaters – along with three bonus cartoons. Available to own from Warner Bros. Archives and available on Amazon February 11th.
• Tom and Jerry exhibition “When you laugh, it makes me laugh too” — Touring Japan, the exhibition introduces the relationship between Tom and Jerry and their unique friends, as well as the animation made over the years, and presents the daily life of Tom and Jerry with unique objects and photo-ops.
• Chefs from WBD’s Arabic food channel Fatafeat will be collaborating with Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi to break a world record in celebration of Tom and Jerry’s 85th anniversary. Details to come.
• A new series of kawaii-style animated shorts Tom and Jerry Gokko will release later in 2025.