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Coyote vs Acme was finished, shelved for a tax write-off, and very nearly never released at all. Three years later it is finally reaching cinemas. Here is the release date, cast, and the genuinely strange story of how it got here.
Coyote vs Acme Release Date
Coyote vs Acme opens in cinemas nationwide on Friday, August 28, 2026, distributed by Ketchup Entertainment. It is rated PG for cartoon violence and some language.
The film held its first public screening in San Diego on July 25, 2026, roughly a month ahead of release, and a final trailer landed the same week.
Why the Film Was Nearly Destroyed
This is the part worth knowing. Coyote vs Acme was completely finished when Warner Bros. Discovery shelved it in November 2023, intending to claim it as a tax write-off rather than release it. The reported budget was around $70 to $72 million.
It was one of several completed films binned under CEO David Zaslav, alongside Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt. The difference was the backlash. Filmmakers, the cast and Looney Tunes fans pushed back hard enough that Warner Bros. reversed the decision and allowed the team to shop it elsewhere.
Several distribution talks collapsed. Then in March 2025, Ketchup Entertainment acquired worldwide rights for a reported figure near $50 million. It was the same company that had rescued The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, which went on to earn roughly $15.5 million globally.
A finished $70 million film, shelved for a tax write-off, rescued by an independent distributor, and released three years late. That is the movie's actual story.
What Coyote vs Acme Is About
After decades of Acme products backfiring on him during his pursuit of the Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote uncovers a corporate cover-up and decides to sue.
He hires down-and-out billboard attorney Kevin Avery, played by Will Forte, to take the case. Standing against them is Buddy Crane, played by John Cena, the slick corporate lawyer from Kevin's former firm now representing Acme. The film is a live-action and animation hybrid, placing Looney Tunes characters into a contemporary courtroom setting, with appearances from Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck alongside deeper-cut figures.
It is based on Coyote v. Acme, a 1990 New Yorker satirical article by Ian Frazier that imagined exactly this lawsuit.
Coyote vs Acme Cast and Crew
- Will Forte as Kevin Avery, the billboard lawyer
- John Cena as Buddy Crane, Acme's corporate counsel
- Lana Condor as Paige Avery
- Tone Bell and P.J. Byrne in supporting roles
- Eric Bauza voicing Looney Tunes characters
Dave Green directs, having made Earth to Echo and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. Samy Burch wrote the screenplay from a story by James Gunn, Jeremy Slater and Burch. Gunn also produces alongside Chris DeFaria, with Steven Price scoring and Brandon Trost on cinematography.
Production came from Warner Animation Group, Gunn's Troll Court Entertainment and Keylight Pictures.
Where to Watch Coyote vs Acme
Coyote vs Acme is a theatrical release with no streaming date announced. Because Ketchup Entertainment is an independent distributor rather than a major studio, the usual studio-to-streamer pipeline does not apply here, and where it lands afterwards is genuinely open. We will update this post when a digital or streaming date is confirmed.
Should You Watch It?
The premise is strong and the trailers have landed well, but the honest reason to care is that this film exists at all. A completed movie was very nearly erased for accounting reasons, and the people who made it fought to stop that happening.
Whether it is a great film is still an open question. What is not in doubt is that it is worth seeing in a cinema rather than never seeing at all.
Coyote vs Acme FAQ
When does Coyote vs Acme come out?
August 28, 2026, in cinemas nationwide, distributed by Ketchup Entertainment. It is rated PG.
Why was Coyote vs Acme shelved?
Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the completed film in November 2023 to claim it as a tax write-off. After public backlash the studio reversed course and let the filmmakers find another distributor.
Who saved Coyote vs Acme?
Ketchup Entertainment acquired worldwide rights in March 2025 for a reported figure near $50 million. They had previously rescued The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie.
Is Coyote vs Acme animated or live action?
Both. It is a live-action and animation hybrid, putting animated Looney Tunes characters into a live-action courtroom setting.
Will Coyote vs Acme be on streaming?
No streaming date has been announced. Ketchup Entertainment is an independent distributor, so the usual studio streaming pipeline does not apply.
Is Coyote vs Acme suitable for kids?
It is rated PG for cartoon violence and some language, so it is broadly family-friendly.
For more August releases, see our guide to Insidious: Out of the Further and our 2026 release calendar.
