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Coyote Vs. Acme Rescued for Theaters After Being Shelved

Strong early reviews plus a credits dedication to campaigners put pressure on opening-week box office to show whether studio write-off practices will change.

Overview

  • Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the finished film in November 2023 and took a reported $30 million tax write-off rather than release the movie.
  • Ketchup Entertainment purchased distribution rights in 2025 in a deal reported near $50 million and scheduled a wide theatrical release for Friday, Aug. 28.
  • Early critic screenings have been overwhelmingly positive, producing a roughly 96% Rotten Tomatoes critic score based on more than 100 reviews.
  • Cast members said they attended a so-called "funeral screening" after the shelving and the film’s end credits include a dedication thanking supporters who campaigned for its release.
  • Industry observers say opening-week box-office performance, with estimates in the low teens of millions, will test whether critical praise and fan activism can translate into commercial success and influence studio accounting choices.