After a three‑year limbo, the long‑awaited Looney Tunes adventure Coyote vs. Acme opened this weekend with an estimated $15.5 million in ticket sales across the United States and Canada. The film, a live‑action/animation hybrid directed by Dave Green and starring Will Forte, John Cena, Lana Condor and Eric Bauza, claimed the No. 2 spot on the national box‑office chart.
Box‑Office Landscape
For the fifth consecutive weekend, Spider‑Man: Brand New Day remains the top‑grossing release, pulling in $22.2 million and pushing its worldwide total to $2.33 billion, making it the fourth highest‑grossing film of all time. The Christopher Nolan sequel The Odyssey held steady in third place with $14.3 million, while the Ridley Scott drama The Dog Stars opened in fifth place with $8 million.
Despite a production budget estimated between $70 million and $100 million, The Dog Stars struggled, adding only $11.3 million from overseas markets. In contrast, Coyote vs. Acme posted a strong debut for its indie distributor, Ketchup Entertainment, whose previous best opening was $3.1 million for 2024’s The Day the Earth Blew Up.
From Shelved Project to Theatrical Release
Warner Bros. originally completed the film for its streaming platform HBO Max but chose to write it off as a tax loss in 2023, joining other unreleased titles such as Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt. After public outcry, the studio placed the movie up for sale. Ketchup Entertainment acquired worldwide distribution rights for roughly $50 million early last year, securing a theatrical release that many industry observers called a victory for creative persistence.
Director Dave Green celebrated the release on social media, stating, “‘Coyote vs. Acme’ is finally, gloriously, in theaters now. Which means one thing. WE WON.” Audience response has been enthusiastic: CinemaScore awarded the film an “A,” and Rotten Tomatoes currently lists a 95 % fresh rating.
Industry Outlook
Box‑office analyst David A. Gross noted that while the opening may fall short of the lofty expectations for a $70 million production, the strong reception and solid ancillary prospects—particularly for family‑friendly home viewing—should help the film recoup its investment. The performance also underscores the demand for family‑oriented content that aligns with traditional values, a niche often underserved by major studios.
The weekend’s top ten releases were as follows:
- Spider‑Man: Brand New Day – $22.2 M
- Coyote vs. Acme – $15.5 M
- The Odyssey – $14.3 M
- Insidious: Out of the Further – $10.1 M
- The Dog Stars – $8 M
- Buddy – $5.4 M
- The End of Oak Street – $5 M
- PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie – $4.9 M
- Mutiny – $2.8 M
- Tony – $2.2 M
As the summer box‑office season continues, industry watchers will monitor whether the success of a family‑focused title like Coyote vs. Acme can inspire more studios to invest in wholesome, faith‑compatible entertainment that appeals to parents and children alike.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
