What Is ThunderCats Roar?
Announced in July 2019 and finally premiering on February 22, 2020 on Cartoon Network, ThunderCats Roar is the franchise's third television incarnation, following the original 1985 series and the acclaimed 2011 reboot. Created by Victor Courtright and Marly Halpern-Graser, and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this version completely abandoned the dramatic, epic tone fans expected in favor of lighthearted comedy, with a deliberately cartoonish visual style far removed from the classic design of Lion-O and company.
History and Origin
From the very first trailer posted on Cartoon Network's official YouTube channel, the community's reaction was devastating: the video racked up a like-to-dislike ratio of nearly 1 to 3. Fans of both the original series and the 2011 remake accused the network of betraying the franchise's spirit, drawing comparisons to the equally controversial Teen Titans Go!, another comedic spin-off that replaced a more serious series in Warner Bros. Animation's catalog. A petition even circulated on Change.org demanding the project be cancelled before it aired.
Despite the initial backlash, the series went ahead with a total of 52 short episodes across a single season. The original voice cast included Max Mittelman as Lion-O, Patrick Seitz as Tygra, Erica Lindbeck as Cheetara, and Chris Jai Alex as Panthro, all voicing much younger, clumsier versions of the classic heroes.
Why It Divided Fans So Deeply
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Premiere | February 22, 2020, Cartoon Network |
| Tone | Light children's comedy, far from the drama of 1985 and 2011 |
| Visual style | Cartoonish "chibi"-style design, heavily criticized by fans |
| Episodes | 52 short episodes, a single season |
| Critical reception | Mixed among critics, very negative among the fanbase |
| Cancellation | December 5, 2020, after "Mandora Saves Christmas" |
7 Trivia Facts
- ThunderCats Roar was announced in July 2019, but its premiere was delayed until February 2020.
- The official YouTube trailer received such a high ratio of negative votes that it became a trending topic among fans of the classic Mumm-Ra universe and company.
- A formal Change.org petition was created asking for the series to be cancelled before it even aired.
- It was produced by Warner Bros. Animation, the same studio behind the 2011 remake.
- The series ran for 52 episodes, the typical episode count Cartoon Network uses for its comedic seasons.
- Its cancellation came just nine months after premiering, one of the shortest lifespans in the entire franchise.
- Despite the backlash, some fans embrace the show's absurdist humor as a cult curiosity within the fandom.
In the 2026 Movie
While ThunderCats Roar remains a controversial footnote in the franchise's history, the project truly exciting fans is the new movie confirmed by Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, unveiled at the Annecy Film Festival 2026. Director Adam Wingard, attached to the project for years, has insisted on a tone faithful to the classic design: "It is not going to look like Cats. We are not doing that. This is going to look like ThunderCats," he recently stated, deliberately distancing the new film from the cartoonish style that sank Roar.
Did you watch ThunderCats Roar when it aired? Would you give it a second chance now that the new movie has been announced, or would you rather forget it entirely? Tell us your opinion in the comments.
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⚡ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ⚡
What Is ThunderCats Roar?
Announced in July 2019 and finally premiering on February 22, 2020 on Cartoon Network, ThunderCats Roar is the franchise's third television incarnation, following the original 1985 series and the acclaimed 2011 reboot ...
What should you know about: History and Origin?
From the very first trailer posted on Cartoon Network's official YouTube channel, the community's reaction was devastating: the video racked up a like-to-dislike ratio of nearly 1 to 3. Fans of both the original series ...
What should you know about: Why It Divided Fans So Deeply?
ThunderCats Roar was announced in July 2019, but its premiere was delayed until February 2020. The official YouTube trailer received such a high ratio of negative votes that it became a trending topic among fans of the ...
What should you know about: 7 Trivia Facts?
ThunderCats Roar was announced in July 2019, but its premiere was delayed until February 2020. The official YouTube trailer received such a high ratio of negative votes that it became a trending topic among fans of the ...
What should you know about: In the 2026 Movie?
While ThunderCats Roar remains a controversial footnote in the franchise's history, the project truly exciting fans is the new movie confirmed by Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, unveiled at the Annecy Film Festival ...
