1989 in animation

The year 1989 in animation involved some animation-related events.

Events

• July 17 - Hanna-Barbera's 50th: A Yabba Dabba Doo Celebration, a television special airs on TNT to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hanna-Barbera.
• December 17 - The Simpsons premieres on Fox with a special Christmas episode.

Films released

• July 28 - Babar: The Movie (New Line Cinema)
• November 14 - The Little Mermaid (Walt Disney Pictures)

Television series debuts

• September 2 - G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero premieres in syndication.
• September 8 - The Legend of Zelda, a television based on the video games series premieres in syndication.
• September 9 - Beetlejuice premieres on ABC (1989-1991).
• September 16 - Dink, the Little Dinosaur debuts on CBS (1989-1991).
• December 17 - The Simpsons premieres on Fox (1989-present).

Deaths

• April 24 - Clyde Geronimi, Italian-American animation director (b. 1901)
• July 10 - Mel Blanc, American voice actor best known for Bugs Bunny (b. 1908)
• October 12 - Jay Ward, American animator and producer (b. 1920)