Coyote vs. Acme Has Surpassed $100 Million
The film reached this global box office milestone after Ketchup Entertainment purchased the rights for $50 million.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Action/Adventure
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Coyote vs. Acme has crossed $100 million in global box office revenue, with $54.7 million from international markets and $44.3 million domestically. The production, which cost $70 million, was previously shelved by Warner Bros. for a tax write-off before its acquisition.
Why it matters
This performance highlights the secondary market value of projects that major studios initially abandoned. The success marks a notable recovery for a film that previously faced cancellation alongside other projects like Batgirl.
The film generated $100 million in total global box office revenue against a $70 million production budget. Ketchup Entertainment secured the rights for a $50 million purchase price to bring the project to market.
The players
Ketchup Entertainment
This independent distributor acquired the rights to the film for $50 million.
Warner Bros.
This major studio originally shelved the film and Batgirl to claim tax write-downs.
Wile E. Coyote
This classic animated character serves as the central figure in the film's animated sequences.
The details
Ketchup Entertainment managed the project by selling certain foreign rights to mitigate financial risks. The film features a hybrid format combining live-action with animated sequences starring Wile E. Coyote.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: Reported earnings for Coyote vs. Acme reached $100 million.
September 28, 2026: Digital platform release is scheduled at 9 p.m. PT.
September 29, 2026: Digital platform release is scheduled at midnight ET.
Industry Dynamics
The rescue of Coyote vs. Acme signifies a shift in how studios view distressed assets that were once considered liabilities. By offloading these projects to independent distributors, studios are finding new ways to monetize content previously targeted for tax write-downs like the Batgirl project.
Viewers will be able to stream the movie on digital platforms starting in late September 2026. This allows audiences to access the film at home after its successful global theatrical run.
The takeaway
The successful acquisition and release of this film demonstrate that projects discarded by major studios can still find a lucrative audience. Consumers should watch for more legacy projects moving to smaller distributors as studios look to recover capital on shelved content.
What happens next
Coyote vs. Acme is scheduled to launch on digital platforms on September 28, 2026, at 9 p.m. PT, followed by a midnight ET release on September 29, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more industry trends in the Action/Adventure section.
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