This 96%-Rated Flick Almost Got Shelved, but Turned Out to Be One of the Best Movies of 2026

Warner Bros. initially canceled Coyote vs. Acme and then shelved it indefinitely – it was arguably one of the biggest blunders in recent years. However, justice prevailed when Ketchup Entertainment acquired the rights.

As a result, Coyote vs. Acme earned a place of honor among the top contenders for best project of 2026, proving that art sometimes wins, even in the world of corporate games.

What Is 'Coyote vs. Acme' About?

Wile E. Coyote has spent his entire life hunting the Road Runner: he has tried everything, from metal-attracting gloves and jet-powered roller skates to a Batman suit. He ordered all of these items from ACME Corporation, a company that specializes in innovative household products.

However, the products turned out to be defective, leaving the hapless predator battered and bruised. One day, he sees an ad in which attorney Kevin Avery claims he can help sue the company and secure compensation for damages.

Inspired by this idea, Coyote leaves his canyon home and heads to Albuquerque to challenge the powerful corporation.

'Coyote vs. Acme' Had a Difficult Journey Before Hitting the Big Screen

The story behind the creation of Coyote vs. Acme is worthy of a screenplay in its own right. It was based on a satirical essay by Ian Frazier that was published in The New Yorker in 1990.

James Gunn came up with the idea for the movie, but due to production delays, he had to move on to other projects, and Dave Green took over as director.

By 2023, the movie was complete and had been well-received by audiences at test screenings, however, Warner Bros. unexpectedly decided not to release it. Studio executives concluded that it would be more financially advantageous to write off the production costs than to incur the expense of a theatrical release.

This decision sparked a massive media outcry. After nearly three years of struggle, the independent film company Ketchup Entertainment acquired the rights to the movie for $50 million.

'Coyote vs. Acme' Strikes the Perfect Balance Between a Fresh Approach & Respect for Tradition

Dave Green and James Gunn have treated the Looney Tunes legacy with remarkable care. As in the original shorts, the humor centers on the main character's physical abuse – he stumbles, falls, and explodes, yet never dies.

However, the filmmakers imbue this inherently unethical element with a sharp social subtext. Coyote vs. Acme is not a traditional family comedy, but rather an important conversation about discrimination and the infringement of rights.

The toons are treated as expendable commodities – guinea pigs for testing products intended for humans. The creators of the movie present this challenging subject matter without resorting to heavy-handed moralizing. They craft a story about underdogs trying to stand up for themselves in a ruthless world of predators.

While all the key Looney Tunes characters appear on screen – from Bugs Bunny to Gossamer – the anthropomorphic rabbit is finally relegated to the background, allowing toons like the Coyote to truly shine.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Coyote vs. Acme'?

• Coyote vs. Acme has 96% from critics and 94% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.5/10.

• On Letterboxd, Coyote vs. Acme scored 3.9/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Coyote vs. Acme'?

Coyote vs. Acme is currently playing in theaters.