‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Scores 94% on Rotten Tomatoes After Warner Bros. Controversy

In recent years, few films have sparked as much genuine outrage within the movie industry as a project that was initially shelved. When a studio decides to keep a completed film off the market solely for tax purposes, it often resonates negatively with filmmakers who view their work as valuable and with audiences eager to form their own opinions.

This was the case for ‘Coyote vs. Acme,’ the live-action/animated Looney Tunes courtroom comedy that Warner Bros. controversially removed from its release schedule in November 2023. Despite being a finished film with a budget of $72 million, the studio chose to write it off completely instead of releasing it, a move that drew immediate backlash from directors, actors, and industry insiders who saw it as a troubling trend for original filmmaking.

That backlash ultimately proved beneficial. After a secret screening that generated significant buzz and attracted interest from major players like Amazon MGM Studios and Netflix, distribution rights were sold to Ketchup Entertainment in March 2025 for $50 million, finally paving the way for the film’s theatrical release.

Now, just over two weeks ahead of its nationwide release on August 28, ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ has debuted with an impressive 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on early critic reviews. For a movie that Warner Bros. once deemed unworthy of release, the overwhelmingly positive early reception feels like an unexpected vindication.

Directed by Dave Green and penned by Samy Burch, the film follows Wile E. Coyote as he takes legal action against the Acme Corporation after years of failed products led to his cartoonish misadventures. He teams up with lawyer Kevin Avery, portrayed by Will Forte, to challenge Acme’s slick corporate attorney, played by John Cena. The cast also features Lana Condor, Tone Bell, Luis Guzmán, Martha Kelly, and P.J. Byrne.

Critics have lauded the film for its clever blend of legal-drama parody and genuine homage to the slapstick roots of the Looney Tunes. Metro awarded it a perfect five-star rating, calling it a spiritual successor to ‘Space Jam’ that captures the zany energy of the original cartoons. Other reviews have highlighted its witty humor and surprisingly heartfelt character development.

However, not all reviews have been entirely positive. Variety noted that while the film succeeds as a nostalgic piece of entertainment, it lacks some of the chaotic spirit that characterized the classic Looney Tunes shorts, providing a more measured perspective amidst the overall praise.

With such strong reviews arriving ahead of its theatrical debut, industry analysts are speculating whether ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ could challenge ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ at the box office when it opens later this month. Given its unusual journey from a canceled tax write-off to a critically acclaimed release, its box office performance will be closely monitored.

For a film that Warner Bros. once deemed unworthy of release, ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ has transformed into a remarkable underdog story, demonstrating that sometimes the industry misjudges a project the first time around.

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