Let’s address the Warner Bros.-sized elephant in the room.
The studio shelved the completed film in 2023 for a tax write-off, with plans to lock it in a vault indefinitely. Then Ketchup Entertainment saved the day by purchasing the distribution rights.
Gosh, the film must have been an embarrassing dud. A lost cause. Incompetently made and utterly unfixable. A stinker that could have sunk the studio faster than a plummeting anvil had it ever seen the light of day.
No, they just didn’t think they would recoup their money.
As a result, it’s frightening to think how close we came to never experiencing what is one of the most enjoyable films of 2026.
Wile E. Coyote takes ACME to court
Coyote vs. Acme’s story is loosely based on Ian Frazier’s humorous 1990 New Yorker article, and the concept is kind of genius.
After decades of failing to catch the Road Runner due to trap-related mishaps, Wile E. Coyote turns to low-rent lawyer Kevin Avery (Will Forte).
Kevin represents cartoon characters in cases against ACME, a massive corporation that manufactures items for humans and cartoons. Its faulty products result in quick and easy payouts of up to $200 a pop.
Except, Coyote has thousands of traps, anvils, rocket skates, dynamite and catapults that have backfired over the years. This time, he wants ACME to pay up big time.
The key to winning the case? Getting the Road Runner on the stand as a witness to all the malfunctions.
A Looney Tunes story with heart
Despite decades passing and generations of creators coming and going, Coyote vs. Acme captures the spirit of the original cartoons. At the same time, it adds modern meta sensibilities and satire.
This underdog David vs. Goliath story shows Wile in a different light. Importantly, it doesn’t betray the character we have come to love. Instead, it finally gives him a fully fleshed-out story.
Writing team Samy Burch, James Gunn and Jeremy Slater, along with director Dave Green, have taken loving care to build the world around these two rivals. Much like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, they find pathos and depth in what were originally bite-sized animated skits.
Big laughs, visual gags and plenty of energy
The volume of visual gags is jaw-dropping. In fact, you may need a second viewing to make sure you caught them all.
The animated characters and sequences are also packed with breathless energy. As a result, the film becomes a zippy courtroom drama experience.
While the human cast is up for the chaotic challenge, there is a discrepancy in energy levels.
Perhaps deliberately, it sometimes seems like the actors were unaware of just how frenetic the animated characters would be. In comparison, they can occasionally look positively zombie-like.
However, this is simply a minor note for what is a delightful film. It has clever ideas, witty gags and, importantly, refuses to be driven by pure nostalgia.
And thanks to Ketchup Entertainment, we get to experience it.
8 out of 10
Review by Julian Wright
Want more Coyote vs. Acme? Watch our full Eric Bauza Coyote vs. Acme interview, where the Looney Tunes voice actor talks about the film’s extraordinary journey to cinemas, playing some of animation’s most iconic characters and what could come next for the Looney Tunes.
