‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Being in Theaters Today is a Win For Cinema

Yesterday, at long last, Coyote vs. Acme was released in theaters. At one point, this would have been, at best, an unlikely outcome, and purportedly an impossible one. It really does feel like a real win for cinema, for filmgoers, and for fans of the industry. Especially at a time where the Paramount merger with Warner Bros. Discovery is on everyone’s minds and is very much a threat to the future of Hollywood, celebrating a victory seems more important than ever. So, today we’ll do just that.

In my rave review here of the film, I said the following, in part:

Can you believe that we almost never got to see this film? I’m not going to get into the long and winding road that to Warner Bros. first shelving Coyote vs. Acme for tax purposes before eventually selling the rights to Ketchup Entertainment. The thing to focus on is that the movie exists, I’ve seen it, soon you all can, and it’s actually really good. That’s what is nuts about this whole thing. WB wasn’t hiding some unreleasable trash. This flicks is incredibly well done, very funny, and will delight Looney Tunes fans.

Coyote vs. Acme is, for my money, the best Looney Tunes related film since Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, as well as the best animation/live-action hybrid since then as well. The movie is a consistently witty delight, finding a lot of mileage from this high concept premise. Does the pacing wane a bit in the third act? Yes. However, it does manage to wrap up in a deeply satisfying manner, saving the day.

Folks, Coyote vs. Acme is not being overhyped by a crusade to shame WB. It’s just a really good film. It’s a blast, supremely entertaining, and capable of gluing a smile to your face. That the movie defied incredible odds to being a giant cooperation is only icing on the cake, while being incredibly ironic, given the material contained within. I’m delighted I got to see it and I’m thrilled you all will too when it opens later on this month.

Now, if Coyote vs. Acme was only okay, would the industry still be championing it? I can’t say for sure, but I do know that the fact it’s as good as it is makes the whole situation even more bizarre. Let’s rewind and consider how we got to this point:

In 2022, the movie finished shooting. Then, in November of 2023, Warner Bros. decided to take a $30 million tax write-off on the $70 million flick, shelving it permanently. That set off a firestorm in the industry, not just from those who made the film, but creatives across Hollywood. Fast-forward to March of 2025 and Ketchup Entertainment stepped in to buy Coyote vs. Acme from WB for $50 million. A year and a half later, it’s finally in theaters and available for audiences who nearly had it taken from them forever.

David Zazlov has become a villain to cinephiles for a lot of reasons, but a big opening weekend for the film, in addition to its very release, would be a welcome loss for someone who has given some big L’s to cinema fans since he took over Warner Bros. Discovery in order to essentially strip it for parts. Now, we have a tangible way to show Zazlov and WB that their lack of faith in this project is not just Ketchup Entertainment’s gain, but everyone’s as well.

I urge all of you to go see Coyote vs. Acme in theaters this weekend, if you haven’t gone already. It’s wonderful entertainment, one, but it’s also a win for the little guys. If it feels like that’s happening less and less these days, well, that’s because it is. So, let’s take this victory lap and enjoy a great film in the process. What’s better than that?

Coyote vs. Acme is in theaters now, so go see it!