Coyote vs. Acme Surpassed $50 Million Domestic Gross
The animated feature reached the milestone 21 days after its wide release in domestic theaters.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Animation
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Coyote vs. Acme has crossed the $50 million mark at the domestic box office following a successful three-week theatrical run. The film earned $434,090 on Thursday to secure the fifth spot in daily national rankings.
Why it matters
The performance marks a significant recovery for the project, which was famously shelved by Warner Bros. in 2023 before Ketchup Entertainment secured the distribution rights.
The film has reached $50,304,066 in total domestic earnings over 21 days. Worldwide, the project has accumulated an estimated $82.8 million as of the previous weekend.
The players
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. is a major American film production and distribution company that originally produced and subsequently shelved the Coyote vs. Acme project.
Ketchup Entertainment
Ketchup Entertainment is an independent film distribution company that acquired the rights to release the film after it was previously discarded by its original studio.
The details
After initially shelving the completed project, Warner Bros. ultimately allowed Ketchup Entertainment to acquire the worldwide distribution rights for a reported $50 million. The film now maintains a consistent presence in theaters, contributing to its ongoing box office accumulation.
Timeline
Warner Bros. shelved the completed film in 2023.
The domestic box office total reached $50,304,066 on September 17, 2026, after 21 days in theaters.
The film earned $434,090 at the box office on September 18, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This performance follows a recent industry trend where finished studio projects were permanently shelved for tax write-offs, marking a departure from that pattern. By proving commercial viability, the film highlights how independent distributors can rescue assets from major studios.
Moviegoers can continue to access the film in theaters as it maintains its domestic run following the distribution acquisition. Pricing and availability remain subject to individual theater chain schedules and local market demand.
The takeaway
The success of this rescue project demonstrates that films previously considered discarded by major studios may still find significant audiences. Independent acquisition models continue to offer a secondary life for completed creative works.
Further reading
Explore more trends and box office updates in the Animation section.
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