TCM in February: Bugs Bunny

Cartoon character Bugs Bunny is the Turner Classic Movies Star of the Month for February, 2026, with 45 classic cartoons showing now through February 6.

TCM will show 45 Bugs Bunny shorts on February 2-6. Each night during the series, TCM will show three Bugs Bunny shorts from 8:00 – 8:30, then three more at 10:30-11:00, and three more at 1:00 -1:30.

TCM also announced that Looney Tunes shorts will continue to be programmed on an ongoing basis across TCM’s schedule beyond February.

Included in the Feb. 2-6 series are these classics listed as the top 5 Bugs Bunny Cartoons by Screen Rant: Rabbit Fire (1951), What’s Opera, Doc? (1957), Bully for Bugs (1953), Tortoise Beats Hare (1941), and his debut film, The Wild Hare (1940).

Here is the schedule for TCM’s Bugs Bunny film fest.

Monday, February 2
STAR OF THE MONTH:BUGS BUNNY
CO-STARRING ELMER FUDD
8:00 PM A Wild Hare (1940)
Rabbit of Seville (1950)
What’s Opera, Doc? (1957)
THE TORTOISE AND HARE TRILOGY
10:30 PM Tortoise Beats Hare (1941)
Tortoise Wins by a Hare (1943)
Rabbit Transit (1947)
CO-STARRING GRUESOME GORILLA
1:00 AM Gorilla My Dreams (1948)
Hurdy-Gurdy Hare (1950)
Apes of Wrath (1959)

Tuesday, February 3
STAR OF THE MONTH:BUGS BUNNY
CO-STARRING YOSEMITE SAM
8:00 PM Bugs Bunny Rides Again (1948)
The Fair Haired Hare (1951)
Sahara Hare (1955)
BUGS AND SAM AT SEA
10:30 PM Buccaneer Bunny (1948)
Mutiny on the Bunny (1950)
Captain Hareblower (1954)
MAD SCIENCE
1:00 AM Hair-Raising Hare (1946)
Water, Water Every Hare (1952)
Dr. Devil and Mr. Hare (1964)

Wednesday, February 4
STAR OF THE MONTH:BUGS BUNNY
CO-STARRING MARVIN THE MARTIAN
8:00 PM Haredevil Hare (1948)
The Hasty Hare (1952)
Hare-Way to the Stars (1958)
CO-STARRING ROCKY AND MUGSY
10:30 PM Bugs and Thugs (1954)
Bugsy and Mugsy (1957)
The Unmentionables (1963)
RABBIT RHAPSODIES
1:00 AM A Corny Concerto (1943)
Rhapsody Rabbit (1946)
Baton Bunny (1959)

Thursday, February 5
STAR OF THE MONTH: BUGS BUNNY
CO-STARRING WILE E. COYOTE
8:00 PM Operation: Rabbit (1952)
To Hare Is Human (1956)
Rabbit’s Feat (1960)
NO BUNNY DOES IT BETTER
10:30 PM Baseball Bugs (1946)
Rabbit Punch (1948)
Bully for Bugs (1953)
CO-STARRING WITCH HAZEL
1:00 AM Bewitched Bunny (1954)
Broomstick Bunny (1956)
A Witch’s Tangled Hare (1959)

Friday, February 7
STAR OF THE MONTH: BUGS BUNNY
THE HUNTING TRILOGY WITH DAFFY DUCK AND ELMER FUDD
8:00 PM Rabbit Fire (1951)
Rabbit Seasoning (1952)
Duck! Rabbit, Duck! (1953)
CO-STARRING DAFFY DUCK
10:30 PM Ali Baba Bunny (1957)
Show Biz Bugs (1957)
The Abominable Snow Rabbit (1961)
ONCE UPON A TIME…
1:00 AM Little Red Riding Rabbit (1944)
Bugs Bunny and the Three Bears (1944)
Beanstalk Bunny (1955)

See the TCM announcement: Bugs Bunny Star of the Month for more details.

About Bugs Bunny

Bugs Bunny stands as one of the most recognizable and influential characters in animation history, a figure whose wit, charm, and irreverent humor helped define an era of American entertainment. Emerging from the creative powerhouse of Warner Bros. in the late 1930s, Bugs quickly became the face of the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series, captivating audiences with his mischievous grin and unforgettable catchphrase, “Eh… what’s up, Doc?”

The character’s earliest incarnation appeared in Porky’s Hare Hunt in 1938, though this prototype differed significantly from the Bugs Bunny we know today. It wasn’t until the 1940 short A Wild Hare that the official version debuted, complete with the cool confidence and comedic timing that would become his trademark. This short is widely regarded as the moment Bugs Bunny truly came into his own.

Bugs Bunny’s creation was a collaborative effort involving several legendary animators and directors, including Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, Bob Givens, and Robert McKimson. Each contributed elements that shaped Bugs’ personality, design, and comedic style. Their combined work helped establish a character who could effortlessly outsmart any adversary, whether human, animal, or extraterrestrial.

Voiced originally by Mel Blanc—often called “The Man of a Thousand Voices”—Bugs Bunny gained an additional layer of personality through Blanc’s distinctive vocal performance. Blanc voiced Bugs from 1938 until his death in 1989, setting a standard that later voice actors such as Jeff Bergman, Billy West, and Eric Bauza have continued to honor.

Throughout the Golden Age of American Animation, Bugs Bunny starred in dozens of theatrical shorts that showcased his comedic brilliance. Whether he was outwitting Elmer Fudd, frustrating Daffy Duck, or facing off against Yosemite Sam, Bugs consistently demonstrated a blend of cleverness and nonchalance that made him irresistible to audiences. His ability to break the fourth wall and address viewers directly only added to his charm.

Bugs Bunny’s influence extended far beyond short films. He became a cultural icon, appearing in feature films, television series, comic books, and even theme park attractions. His starring role in Space Jam (1996) introduced him to a new generation, pairing him with NBA superstar Michael Jordan and later with LeBron James in Space Jam: A New Legacy. These appearances cemented his status as a timeless figure in popular culture.

The character’s relationships with other Looney Tunes figures also contributed to his enduring appeal. His rivalry with Daffy Duck, for example, produced some of the most memorable comedic duos in animation history. Meanwhile, his interactions with Elmer Fudd—often centered around hunting season misunderstandings—became iconic staples of slapstick humor.

Bugs Bunny’s personality is defined by his intelligence, resourcefulness, and refusal to be intimidated. He rarely initiates conflict, but when provoked, he responds with creativity and flair. This combination of laid‑back confidence and razor‑sharp wit made him a symbol of resilience and cleverness during challenging times, including World War II, when he appeared in several morale‑boosting cartoons.

Over the decades, Bugs has continued to evolve while maintaining the core traits that made him beloved. Modern interpretations preserve his classic humor while adapting his stories for contemporary audiences. His presence in series like The Looney Tunes Show and Looney Tunes Cartoons demonstrates his ability to remain relevant in an ever‑changing media landscape.

Today, Bugs Bunny remains a cornerstone of animation history—a character whose legacy spans generations and whose influence can be seen in countless animated works that followed. His blend of humor, intelligence, and charm ensures that he will continue to delight audiences for years to come, standing tall as the definitive trickster of American pop culture.

Sources: Microsoft CoPilot

Below is a YouTube video from Warner Bros. showing some of the top Bugs Bunny classics.

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