Three years after Warner Bros. abruptly canceled the release of “Coyote vs. Acme,” the Looney Tunes feature film has found redemption in theaters. The movie, which was given a second chance by Ketchup Entertainment, debuted with an estimated $15.5 million in ticket sales over the weekend, securing second place at the North American box office.
From Write-Off to Theatrical Success
In 2023, Warner Bros. opted to shelve the completed film to take a tax write-off. The production, a $70 million hybrid of live-action and animation originally intended for HBO Max, was sidelined despite strong test screening scores. This followed a controversial pattern at the studio, which also saw the permanent shelving of “Batgirl” and “Scoob! Holiday Haunt.”
Following a significant public outcry, the studio eventually put the film up for sale. Early last year, independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment acquired the worldwide distribution rights for approximately $50 million.
Critical Acclaim and Market Performance
The film, starring Will Forte and John Cena, received a warm reception from both critics and audiences. It earned a 95% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” CinemaScore. Director Dave Green celebrated the theatrical launch on social media, stating, “WE WON.”
While “Coyote vs. Acme” exceeded expectations for its new distributor, other major releases struggled. Ridley Scott’s action drama “The Dog Stars,” starring Jacob Elordi, flopped with an $8 million domestic opening against a production budget of up to $100 million. Meanwhile, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” continued its dominance at the top spot, reaching a worldwide total of $2.33 billion.
- “Coyote vs. Acme” represents the biggest opening weekend ever for Ketchup Entertainment.
- The film is based on Ian Frazier’s “Shouts and Murmurs” column in The New Yorker.
- Warner Bros. continues to hold “Batgirl” and “Scoob! Holiday Haunt” unreleased.
