Coyote vs. Acme Box Office Success Points to Streaming Release Strategy
Coyote vs. Acme, a blend of live-action and animation featuring Will Forte and John Cena, made a strong entrance at the box office, earning $15.9 million across 3,575 theaters in North America, securing the second spot behind Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Initially intended for HBO Max, Warner Bros. Discovery intervened to prevent it from being shelved, and Ketchup Entertainment acquired it in March 2025. In the film, Forte takes on the role of Kevin Avery, while Cena plays Buddy Crane. Lana Condor appears as Paige, and Eric Bauza lends his voice to several characters. The film is anticipated to be available on premium video on demand (PVOD) around September 29, 2025, and is expected to stream on HBO Max by December 11, 2025.
Key facts
- Coyote vs. Acme earned $15.9 million in its opening weekend from 3,575 North American theaters.
- The film finished second at the box office behind Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
- Ketchup Entertainment acquired distribution rights in March 2025 after Warner Bros. Discovery considered shelving it.
- Will Forte stars as Kevin Avery, a nod to Tex Avery, and John Cena plays Buddy Crane.
- Lana Condor and Eric Bauza are also in the cast, with Bauza voicing multiple Looney Tunes characters.
- The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie premiered on PVOD on April 15, 2025, over a month after its theatrical release.
- Goodrich arrived on PVOD 25 days after its theatrical debut.
- PVOD rentals cost $14.99 to $24.99 for 48 hours, purchases $19.99 to $29.99.
- The Day the Earth Blew Up debuted on HBO Max on June 27, 105 days after theatrical release.
- Coyote vs. Acme is expected on PVOD around September 29 and on HBO Max around December 11.
Entities
Artists
- Will Forte
- John Cena
- Lana Condor
- Eric Bauza
- Tex Avery
- Michael Keaton
- Mila Kunis
Institutions
- Warner Animation
- HBO Max
- Warner Bros. Discovery
- Ketchup Entertainment
- Acme Corporation
- Harvard Law School
- Apple TV
- Fandango at Home
- Prime Video
- YouTube Movies & TV
Locations
- North America