Movie Review: ‘Coyote vs. Acme’

Once seen as a tax write-off by Warner Bros.,’ the blend of animation and live-action starring John Cena and Will Forte was saved, and that’s a good thing.

Wile E. Coyote in a scene from 'Coyote vs. Acme.' Photo: Ketchup Entertainment.

In theaters on August 28th is ‘Coyote vs. Acme,’ a true successor to the likes of ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ and ‘Looney Tunes: Back in Action.’

Coyote vs. Acme

"The movie ACME doesn't want you to see."

PGAdventure Comedy Family

Review
Score

Release Date: Aug 28, 2026

Run Time: 1 hr 43 min

Budget: $72,000,000

Directed by Dave Green (‘Earth to Echo’), the new blend of animation and live-action stars Will Forte (‘MacGruber’), John Cena (‘Bumblebee’), Lana Condor (‘X-Men: Apocalypse’) and a host of Looney Tunes and other WB animation characters.

Initial Thoughts

(L to R) Wile E. Coyote and Will Forte in 'Coyote vs. Acme.' Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery.

Warner Bros. has made some truly dumb moves of late –– losing Christopher Nolan for one. And sending the likes of ‘Batgirl’ and ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ to a tax write-off vault for another. Fortunately for the latter movie, Ketchup Entertainment stepped into buy the rights and release it.

Script and Direction

(L to R) John Cena and Foghorn Leghorn in a scene from 'Coyote vs. Acme.' Photo: Ketchup Entertainment.

Samy Burch (‘May December’) has the main screenwriting credit on this one, sharing story by with Jeremy Slater (‘The Exorcist’) and James Gunn (‘Superman’). But there is a whole host of other contributors lurking in the “additional literary material” section in the end credits. Despite so many cooks having been involved in this particular kitchen, the film has turned out to be a superb, zany and heartfelt use of the characters. Wile E. in particular is a lot of fun without uttering a word.

And credit to director Dave Green, who wrangles it all together with aplomb.

Cast and Performances

(L to r) Lana Condor, Wile E. Coyote, and Will Forte in a scene from 'Coyote vs. Acme.' Photo: Ketchup Entertainment.

Forte goes hangdog for this one as down-on-his-luck lawyer Kevin, and it works to ground the madness around him. Cena snacks on scenery and has a blast as his cocky courtroom opponent, while the likes of voice performance veterans Eric Bauza, Candi Milo and Jim Cummings all contributing to the various characters who show up during the film.

Final Thoughts

Luis Guzmán in a scene from 'Coyote vs. Acme.' Photo: Ketchup Entertainment.

A worthy successor to the likes of ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit,’ ‘Coyote’ pulls off the trick of crafting authentic homages to Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner cartoons, but also blending the ‘toons with the real world.

The real winner in this case? All the fans who wanted to see the movie, which proves to be a real delight.

‘Coyote vs. Acme’ receives 88 out of 100.

(L to R) Will Forte and Wile E. Coyote in a scene from 'Coyote vs. Acme.' Photo: Ketchup Entertainment.

What is the plot of ‘Coyote vs. Acme’?

‘Coyote vs. Acme’ follows Wile E. Coyote, who after ACME products fail him one too many times in his dogged pursuit of the Roadrunner, decides to hire a billboard lawyer to sue the ACME Corporation.

The case pits Wile E. and his lawyer against the latter’s intimidating former boss (John Cena), but a growing friendship between man and cartoon stokes their determination to win.