Coyote vs. ACME, a hybrid animated/live-action film where Wile E. Coyote sues the ACME corporation over faulty products, is scheduled for nationwide theatrical release on August 28, 2026 [1, 2, 3].
The film was directed by Dave Green with a script by Samy Burch. It stars Eric Bauza as the voice of Wile E. Coyote, Will Forte as lawyer Kevin Avery, and John Cena as Avery’s ex-boss [1, 3]. Eric Bauza described the movie as "half legal drama, half buddy comedy" blending courtroom tension with classic Looney Tunes slapstick [1].
James Gunn originally pitched the idea to Warner Bros. in 2015. The studio greenlit the project in 2018 and filmed it in 2022 [1]. Despite completion, Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the movie in November 2023 as a tax write-off [1, 3]. The film was offered for sale at $75-80 million but remained unsold for over a year [1].
In March 2025, Ketchup Entertainment acquired the film from Warner Bros. for $50 million [1, 3]. The Hollywood Reporter estimated Warner Bros.’ production budget at $72 million [3].
Critics have responded strongly ahead of release, with the film earning a 94% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 31 reviews as of August 12, 2026 [3]. Reviewer Frank Scheck called it "a hilarious delight, one of the best live-action/animation films ever," praising its appeal to Looney Tunes fans [3]. Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence called it "a charming, laugh-out-loud funny tribute to decades of animated history." William Bibbiani of TheWrap said the film successfully channels classic courtroom dramas in a Looney Tunes style [3].
Coyote vs. ACME combines legal drama, buddy comedy, and slapstick, aiming to deliver both laughs and underdog storytelling [1, 2]. Its formal release on August 28 marks the end of a nearly three-year delay since filming and over two years after Warner Bros. shelved the project.
