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Rescued Looney Tunes Film 'Coyote vs. Acme' Arrives in Theaters After Studio Shelving

Its wide release will be watched as a test of whether fan campaigns and strong reviews can overcome a studio’s accounting decision to shelve a finished movie.

Overview

  • Ketchup Entertainment will release Coyote vs. Acme in North American theaters on August 28, 2026 after acquiring distribution rights from Warner Bros. Discovery.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the completed film in November 2023 and recorded an estimated $30 million tax write‑off before allowing the title to be sold.
  • Early critic screenings produced overwhelmingly positive reviews and an aggregate Rotten Tomatoes score near 96 percent, prompting renewed public interest ahead of the opening.
  • Industry trackers project a modest domestic opening of roughly $12 million to $18 million, and analysts say Ketchup’s limited marketing reach makes strong word‑of‑mouth crucial to the film’s financial outcome.
  • The film includes an on‑screen dedication thanking fans who campaigned for its release and has become a flashpoint in debates over studio write‑offs, legacy IP use, and whether audience pressure can reverse corporate shelving decisions.