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16 clusters · 206 sources · 75 days · First seen · Last updated

Coyote vs. ACME achieves box office success after shelving

Overview

Warner Bros. Discovery’s 2023 tax-write-off of the mixed live-action/animation hybrid *Coyote vs. ACME* was reversed when Ketchup Entertainment bought the rights for $50 million in March 2025. The film, directed by Dave Green and produced by James Gunn and Chris DeFaria, follows Wile E. Coyote as he sues the Acme Corporation for its faulty products, based on Ian Frazier’s 1990 New Yorker article.

Originally completed in 2023 for HBO Max, the project was abruptly shelved by Warner Bros. for tax purposes despite positive audience test scores. This decision, which allowed the studio to claim a tax write-off of approximately $30 million, caused significant frustration and was described as “devastating” by star Will Forte.

Following its August 28, 2026, worldwide theatrical opening, the film achieved a successful debut. In its opening weekend, *Coyote vs. ACME* earned approximately $15.4 million in North America, securing the second position at the box office. The film has seen particularly strong performance in Mexico, where it outperformed ‘Spider-Man: Un Nuevo Día’.

As of September 8, 2026, the film has earned approximately $38.6 million in the US and $49.5 million worldwide. While the original production budget was estimated at $70 million, Ketchup Entertainment’s primary investment is the $50 million acquisition of distribution rights. To reach a traditional profitability benchmark of 2.5 times its cost, the film would need to earn approximately $125 million globally, leaving a remaining gap of about $75.5 million. The film currently holds a 96% fresh rating and stars Lana Condor, with voice actor Eric Bauza providing voices for the Looney Tunes characters.

The film’s successful comeback has sparked industry discussions regarding the practice of shelving completed films for tax purposes, drawing comparisons to the previously canceled DC project “Batgirl.”

Entities

Ketchup Entertainment · Dave Green · Will Forte · Warner Bros. Discovery · John Cena

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 7 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme returns to theaters after Ketchup Entertainment acquisition

    After being shelved by Warner Bros., ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ has been rescued by Ketchup Entertainment for $50 million and is currently earning nearly $50 million at the global box office.

  2. 5 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 6 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme reaches US$39.8 million at global box office

    Directed by Dave Green, ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ has earned nearly US$40 million at the global box office, driven largely by a strong performance in the United States and Canada.

  3. 12 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 25 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme achieves box office success after Warner Bros. sale

    After being shelved by Warner Bros. for tax purposes, “Coyote vs. Acme” has secured a successful theatrical release via Ketchup Entertainment, earning over $20 million globally in its opening days.

  4. 14 days ago

    [CULTURE] 26 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme arrives in theaters after being rescued from shelving

    After being shelved by Warner Bros. for tax purposes, ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ has successfully reached theaters following a $50 million rights acquisition by Ketchup Entertainment.

  5. 16 days ago

    [CULTURE] 50 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme arrives in theaters after Warner Bros. shelving dispute

    After being shelved by Warner Bros. for tax purposes, the Looney Tunes film ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ is finally hitting theaters via Ketchup Entertainment.

  6. 18 days ago

    [CULTURE] 29 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme film returns to theaters after being shelved

    After being shelved by Warner Bros. for tax purposes, the Looney Tunes film “Coyote vs. Acme” has been rescued by Ketchup Entertainment and is now receiving a global theatrical release.

  7. 20 days ago

    [CULTURE] 11 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme to receive theatrical release after shelving

    After being shelved by Warner Bros. for a tax write-off, the Looney Tunes film ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ will be released in theaters via Ketchup Entertainment following positive early critical reviews.

  8. 25 days ago

    [CULTURE] 10 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme set for theatrical release after studio shelving controversy

    After being shelved by Warner Bros. for tax purposes, the Looney Tunes hybrid film ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ will finally hit theaters via Ketchup Entertainment, starring Will Forte and John Cena.

  9. 27 days ago

    [CULTURE] 6 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme to be released after Warner Bros. cancellation

    Ketchup Entertainment is releasing ‘Coyote vs. Acme’, a Looney Tunes film previously canceled by Warner Bros. for tax purposes despite positive test scores and completed production.

  10. 29 days ago

    [CULTURE] 10 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme to receive theatrical release after being shelved

    After being shelved by Warner Bros. for a tax write-off, ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ has been rescued by Ketchup Entertainment and is heading to theaters with high critical praise.

  11. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 24 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme set for theatrical release after being shelved

    After being shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery for a tax write-off, ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ is set for a 2026 theatrical release via Ketchup Entertainment, receiving high praise from early critics.

  12. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 7 sources
    Coyote vs Acme film preview draws crowds in Rome

    The live‑action/animation film *Coyote vs Acme*, directed by Dave Green, will preview in Rome on 28 August, featuring Wile E. Coyote suing Acme; release set for 2 Sept 2026.

  13. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme movie set for August 2026 theatrical debut

    The hybrid film 'Coyote vs. Acme', starring Will Forte and John Cena and directed by Dave Green, will debut in August 2026 after being revived by Ketchup Entertainment following Warner Bros. shelving.

  14. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 12 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme Film to Premiere August 2026 Following Comic‑Con Showcase

    Coyote vs. Acme, a live‑action/animation comedy directed by Dave Green, will debut August 28 2026 after a Comic‑Con preview; a Blu‑ray with uncensored outtakes is also slated.

  15. about 2 months ago

    [CULTURE] 13 sources
    Coyote vs. ACME trailer released ahead of Aug. 28 debut

    Ketchup Entertainment released the final *Coyote vs. ACME* trailer, revealing a live‑action/animation hybrid starring Will Forte and John Cena, set for worldwide release on Aug 28, 2026.

  16. 3 months ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Coyote vs. Acme film released in Italy after Warner Bros. cancellation

    Italy’s Lucky Red will release *Coyote vs. Acme* on 2 Sept after Warner Bros. shelved the completed film as a tax write‑off, sparking industry backlash.

Sources

6abc.com · 8asians.com · abc11.com · abc13.com · abc30.com · abc7.com · abc7news.com · abc7ny.com · aftercredits.com · ambrosia.com.br · arstechnica.com · artecult.com · avenuedelhorreur.fr · awardsradar.com · badtaste.it · bestmovie.es · bestmovie.it · bigcheese1079.com · birthdayvibe.com · bitcoinethereumnews.com · br.paipee.com · brandonsun.com · brasilgamer.com.br · butwhytho.net · ca.sports.yahoo.com · canal4.com.ni · canaltech.com.br · capital.pe · cartoonbrew.com · chilango.com · cinecircoloromano.it · cinema.everyeye.it · cinemaaxis.com · cinemaBlend.com · cinemablend.com · cinemacomcritica.com.br · cinemaniaci.it · cinemio.it · cinepop.com.br · cinevisao.pt · cinturaovest.it · clicnoticias.com.mx · cn13.tv · colombia.com · comicbasics.com · comicbook.com · comingsoon.net · communitynews.com.au

This summary has been updated 37 times: see revision history