Coyote vs. Acme Officially Surpasses WB’s Embarrassing Tax Write-off With Stellar Box Office

After a long battle from production to release, the comedy Coyote vs. Acme has surpassed expectations at the box office. The partly animated film starring Will Forte and John Cena was the center of controversy in 2023 when the studio, WB Discovery, was ready to shelve it as a tax write-off after production was done.

The film was finally released on August 28, 2026, after selling the rights to Ketchup Entertainment, and its box office numbers indicate great progress. The film, which was supposed to give WB a tax write-off of $30 million, has reportedly crossed $40 million at the box office, putting the studio’s plans to shame (via The Numbers).

Coyote vs. Acme Held Strong at the Box Office Despite Competition

A still from Coyote vs. Acme | Credits: Ketchup Entertainment

Coyote vs. Acme was the talk of the town in 2023, with filmmakers from around the world coming to its rescue after it was revealed that WB Discovery planned on shelving it for a $30 million tax write-off. It was regarded as one of the most unfair cancellations in movie history, and fans and filmmakers raised their voices against the cancellation, leading WB to allow director Dave Green to shop the film around.

Ketchup Entertainment bought the rights for the film for $50 million, and the latest box office numbers seem to prove that the bet has wildly paid off. According to The Numbers, the film has earned $34.4 million at the domestic box office and $5.9 million internationally, bringing the total box office performance of the film to $40.4 million.

The film faced stiff competition from mainstays The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but with a $15.4 million opening, it landed in second position at the box office, right behind Brand New Day. It fared better than Ridley Scott’s post-apocalyptic thriller The Dog Stars, which had Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin (via Deadline).

Coyote vs. Acme Ratings Further Embarrass WB After Massive Box Office

Wile E. Coyote in Coyote vs. Acme | Credits: Ketchup Entertainment

Coyote vs. Acme has been appreciated by filmmakers and industry insiders who got to watch the film ever since it was announced that it was being shelved. For years, the filmmakers and everyone involved in the project fought for its release, and after a bidding war between Netflix and Paramount, the film finally went to Ketchup Entertainment.

Now, after its release, WB Discovery seems to be getting the reason why it was fought for so much. Apart from an incredible box office run, the film has also received both audience and critical appreciation. The film currently has 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising its charm, comedy, and satirical approach. The film has scored a 7.6/10 on IMDb.

FandomWire also gave it a whopping 9/10. The film has received support from a wide range of filmmakers, such as Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, and BenDavid Grabinski, who called it the best film of the sort since Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. He also said (via THR),

The best of its kind since [Who Framed] Roger Rabbit … The leads are super likable. It’s beautifully shot. The animation is great. The ending makes everyone fucking cry. I thought the goal of this business was to make hit movies?

The support, the critical appreciation, and the box office numbers might finally send a message to WB that shelving possible blockbusters might not be the right call.

Did you watch Coyote vs. Acme? What did you think about it? Comment below.