# Coyote vs. ACME achieves box office success after shelving > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/coyote-vs-acme-film-rollout > Updated: 2026-09-09T01:31:44.000Z. Sources: 206. Developments: 16. 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.” ## Claims - Warner Bros. originally shelved the film as a tax write-off. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The film was produced in 2022 with a budget of approximately $70 million. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Will Forte and John Cena star in the film as lawyers. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the completed film Coyote vs. Acme for tax purposes. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The film features Will Forte as attorney Kevin Avery. (corroborated by 2 sources) - John Cena plays Acme lawyer Buddy Crane in the film. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The movie is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Ketchup Entertainment acquired the distribution rights for the film in 2025. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Dave Green directed the film Coyote vs. Acme. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the film in late 2023 as part of a tax write-off strategy. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Edgar Wright praised the film Coyote vs. Acme on X. (single source) - Edgar Wright described the film as one of the best and most timely studio films he has seen all year. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: 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. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-returns-to-theaters-after-ketchup-entertainment-acquisition ### 2026-09-07: 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. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-reaches-us398-million-at-global-box-office ### 2026-08-30: 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. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-release-sparks-debate-over-shelved-hollywood-films ### 2026-08-28: 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. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-hits-theaters-after-warner-bros-shelving-controversy ### 2026-08-26: 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. 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-to-be-released-after-warner-bros-shelving ### 2026-08-24: 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. 29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-hits-theaters-after-years-on-the-shelf ### 2026-08-22: 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. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-film-set-for-release-following-distribution-shift ### 2026-08-18: 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. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-set-for-theatrical-release-after-studio-shelving ### 2026-08-16: 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. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-to-be-released-after-warner-bros-cancellation-1 ### 2026-08-13: 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. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-to-receive-theatrical-release-after-being-shelved ### 2026-08-11: 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. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-set-for-theatrical-release-after-being-shelved ### 2026-08-06: 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. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-film-preview-draws-crowds-in-rome ### 2026-07-29: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-movie-set-for-august-2026-theatrical-debut ### 2026-07-25: 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. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-to-get-bluray-release-with-rrated-john-cena-outtakes ### 2026-07-23: 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. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warner-bros-coyote-vs-acme-trailer-reveals-release-date ### 2026-06-26: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coyote-vs-acme-film-released-in-italy-after-warner-bros-cancellation --- Cite as: Coyote vs. ACME achieves box office success after shelving. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/coyote-vs-acme-film-rollout