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Coyote vs. Acme film released
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Coyote vs. Acme opened Aug 28, 2026, earning $15.5 million. Its release ends a three-year shelving saga, proving completed films can survive studio write-offs.
Background
Coyote vs. Acme, a live-action/animation hybrid starring Wile E. Coyote suing Acme Corporation, was completed by Warner Bros. in 2023 but shelved in November 2023 for a $30 million tax write-off. After fan and filmmaker backlash, Warner Bros. sold the film to Ketchup Entertainment in March 2025 for about $50 million, leading to its theatrical release on August 28, 2026.
How it unfolded
- Jul 21, 2023Originally set to premiere, but Warner Bros. moved it to make way for Barbie.
- Nov 2023Warner Bros. shelved the completed film, taking a $30 million tax write-off.
- Mar 2025Warner Bros. sold worldwide distribution rights to Ketchup Entertainment for about $50 million.
- Aug 28, 2026Film released in theaters; director Dave Green celebrated on Instagram, saying 'WE WON.'
- Aug 30, 2026Opened with an estimated $15.5 million at the domestic box office, ranking second.
Who’s saying what
- Director
- Dave Green called the release a victory and proof that movies don't just go away.
- Critics
- Some critics praised it as the best Looney Tunes property in over a decade, while one reviewer found it boring.
- Analysts
- The film's box office success highlights the controversy as effective marketing and a rebuke to studio write-offs.
Still unverified
The reported $50 million sale price is based on a single source (The Hollywood Reporter) and not officially confirmed.