In 2023, after spending $70 million to make Coyote vs. Acme, Warner Bros. decided to shelve the movie and take a $30 million tax write-off. In 2026, Ketchup Entertainment bought the distribution rights from Warner Bros. for $50 million, spent $10 million on marketing and sold overseas distribution rights for $20 million. So Warner Bros. winds up with a loss of $20 million and Ketchup needs to make $40 million to break even. Through September 7, Coyote vs. Acme has grossed $37 million in the United States (and $44 million worldwide). Roughly 50% of the domestic gross goes to the theaters and 50% will go to Ketchup Entertainment. Ketchup has made $18.5 million so far – and the movie will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K in November.
Elira Wilson's Coyote vs. Acme: The Underdog That Wouldn't Stay Shelved was published August 19.