Hanna-Barbera Productions used the success of The Jetsons in syndication as a building block towards other projects. Primarily, these projects were films or TV specials. There are three Jetsons films which premiered after the show began its time in syndication:

The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones (1987):
This made-for- TV film brought two Hanna-Barbera animated productions together: The Jetsons and The Flintstones.  In the film, Elroy builds a time machine which accidentally sends the Jetson family to the stone-age, and breaks down. The Jetsons meet the Flintstones in the stone-age and the laughs begin. The film depicts a clash between two very different cultures and time periods. It also shows how despite their generational differences, they face many of the same problems. Later in the film, when the Flintstones travel to the future, it becomes a question of which era is better.  “The Film, after a meandering and predictable first-half, managed to score potent satirical points concerning media hype and questionable big-business practices before fadeout time” (Erickson).

Major Cast:
Henry Corden- Fred Flintstone
George O’Hanlon- George Jetson
Jean Vander Pyl- Wilma Flintstone, Rosie the Robot
Penny Singleton- Jane Jetson
Daws Butler- Elroy Jetson, Cogswell, Henry Orbit
Janet Waldo- Judy Jetson
Julie McWhirter- Betty Rubble
Mel Blanc- Barney Rubble, Dino, Mr. Spacely
Don Messick- Astro
John Stephenson- Mr. Slate

For greater, more in-depth plot descriptions, visit the websites in the Bibliography and Links page. The film is available to watch online through the Video Links page on this website.

Rockin’ With Judy Jetson (1988):
In this film, Judy Jetson becomes a rock and roll superstar, albeit by accident. After sending in a song she writes to a big star, it becomes switched with a formula accidentally and becomes an evil recipe which she sings to the whole world. The film was an extension of the 1962 episode, A Date With Jet Screamer, but was “dressed up for the MTV generation” (Erickson).

The Jetsons- The Movie (1990):
“Unfortunately, the 1990 theatrical feature Jetsons: The Movie managed to dissipate much of the goodwill generated by the TV films” (Erickson). This is how many critics viewed, what ultimately became The Jetsons’ finale. While the animation was better than the original and syndicated cartoon versions, the story line did not help the film become successful. In the film George gets his chance to become managing director of his own subsidiary of a Spacely Space Sprockets factory. When he arrives, George realizes the plant is being sabotaged and ultimately solves the problems.  The original cast returned as the voices for the major characters, besides Judy Jetson. Janet Waldo was replaced by a rising teenage star name d Tiffany who had appeared on the television show Star Search. When delays forced the premiere nearly three years after the film began, nearly everyone had forgotten about her. Also, by the time the movie debuted, three major voices had died (George O’Hanlon, Mel Blanc and Daws Butler). Hanna-Barbera dedicated the film to their memory (Erickson). Ultimately the film was a flop, posting a profit only after appearing in video stores. It made the fastest move in history from theatres to the rental shelves.

 As of 2007, there is talk of a new live-action Jetsons film. Director Robert Rodriguez has reportedly entered talks with Warner Brothers about the film, and it could be released as early as 2010.