United States💼 BusinessProgressiveOverlooked by conservatives9/1/2026
Meep, meep. 'Coyote vs. Acme' opens with $15.5 million, 'Spider-Man' stays No. 1 for fifth weekend
The Washington Times reported on recent box office results, highlighting the debut of 'Coyote vs. Acme,' a Looney Tunes film that had previously been canceled by Warner Bros. The movie opened with $15.5 million in ticket sales, securing second place at the box office. Meanwhile, 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' remained the top-grossing film for the fifth consecutive weekend, earning $22.2 million domestically and reaching a worldwide total of $2.33 billion. Other notable films included the underperforming 'The Dog Stars,' which opened with $8 million, and 'The Odyssey,' which dropped to third place with $14.3 million. 'Coyote vs. Acme' faced initial cancellation due to Warner Bros.' decision to take a tax write-off instead of releasing it, but it eventually secured distribution through Ketchup Entertainment. The film received positive reviews and has potential for ancillary revenue.
Meep, meep. 'Coyote vs. Acme' opens with $15.5 million, 'Spider-Man' stays No. 1 for fifth weekend NEW YORK, Three years after Warner Bros. scrapped the Looney Tunes animated feature Coyote vs. Acme, the film, once destined for the dustbin of forgotten projects, made its theatrical debut with an estimated $15.5 million in ticket sales over the weekend. The long-awaited return of the classic cartoon characters marked a bittersweet triumph for fans and creators alike, following years of uncertainty and corporate missteps. Spider-Man: Brand New Day remained atop the North American box office for the fifth consecutive week, earning $22.2 million in U.S. and Canadian theaters. Its worldwide total now stands at $2.33 billion, placing it among the highest-grossing films of all time. The superhero sequel continued to draw massive crowds, reinforcing its status as a cultural phenomenon. Meanwhile, Coyote vs. Acme opened in second place, securing a respectable start for its independent distributor, Ketchup Entertainment. The film, a hybrid of live-action and animation directed by Dave Green, tells the story of Wile E. Coyote suing the Acme Corporation for its faulty products. The plot draws inspiration from an Ian Frazier column in The New Yorker, and the film features a star-studded cast including Will Forte, John Cena, Lana Condor, and Eric Bauza. Despite a production budget of $70 million, Warner Bros. had initially decided to cancel the film in favor of a tax write-off related to its streaming platform, HBO Max. The decision sparked widespread backlash, leading to the film's eventual acquisition by Ketchup Entertainment for $50 million. Ketchup’s purchase came after a period of public outcry and pressure from fans and industry insiders. The company, known for distributing niche and cult titles, saw its highest opening weekend yet with Coyote vs. Acme. The film’s performance surpassed Ketchup’s previous record, set by The Day the Earth Blew Up, which opened with $3.1 million in 2024. The success of Coyote vs. Acme marks a turning point for the distributor, offering proof that even unconventional projects can find an audience. Audience response to the film was overwhelmingly positive. CinemaScore gave the movie an “A” rating, while critics praised its blend of humor, nostalgia, and visual creativity. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film received a 95% score, reflecting strong reviews from both mainstream and specialized publications. The film’s success is particularly notable given its troubled history and the challenges faced during its production. Other films also found their footing in the weekend’s box office results. The Odyssey, in its seventh weekend, dropped to third place with $14.3 million domestically. However, the Christopher Nolan-directed film maintained strong international appeal, grossing $48.6 million overseas. With a global total of $1.55 billion, The Odyssey continues to perform exceptionally well outside the United States. Among the new releases, The Dog Stars, starring Jacob Elordi, opened in fifth place with $8 million. The film, which follows a pilot and his German Shepherd surviving a global pandemic, struggled financially despite a large production budget ranging from $70 million to $100 million. Overseas earnings totaled $11.3 million, further underscoring the film’s mixed fortunes. The weekend’s top ten domestic box office performers included several family-friendly and genre-driven titles. PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie took the eighth spot with $4.9 million, while Buddy and The End of Oak Street rounded out the mid-tier performances. Smaller films such as Mutiny and Tony also managed to secure modest returns. The box office results highlight a mix of established franchises and newly released titles, with Spider-Man maintaining its dominance and Coyote vs. Acme proving that even long-delayed projects can achieve commercial success. As the summer movie season continues, these numbers will likely influence future releases and distribution strategies, especially for independent studios seeking to capitalize on nostalgic and culturally resonant content.
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The Washington Times reported on recent box office results, highlighting the debut of 'Coyote vs. Acme,' a Looney Tunes film that had previously been canceled by Warner Bros. The movie opened with $15.5 million in ticket sales, securing second place at the box office. Meanwhile, 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' remained the top-grossing film for the fifth consecutive weekend, earning $22.2 million domestically and reaching a worldwide total of $2.33 billion. Other notable films included the underperforming 'The Dog Stars,' which opened with $8 million, and 'The Odyssey,' which dropped to third place with $14.3 million. 'Coyote vs. Acme' faced initial cancellation due to Warner Bros.' decision to take a tax write-off instead of releasing it, but it eventually secured distribution through Ketchup Entertainment. The film received positive reviews and has potential for ancillary revenue.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on box office performance and entertainment industry developments, which are primarily related to business and commerce rather than politics. There is no indication of political bias in the reporting, as it provides factual information about movie earnings, production decisions,
Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed box office figures and contextualizes the film's history with Warner Bros., including the cancellation and subsequent sale to Ketchup Entertainment. It cites specific financial details like production costs and international earnings, aligning with typical industry repo
Why objectivity (75): The tone is somewhat sensationalist with phrases like 'Meep, meep' and references to the film as a 'hybrid of live-action and animation,' which may imply a positive spin. The article also frames Warner Bros.' decision as a business move ('taking a tax write off') rather than a creative choice, sugge
Coyote vs. Acme, a Looney Tunes-inspired comedy, opened at No. 2 at the domestic box office with $15.4 million, surpassing previous records for its distributor Ketchup Entertainment. Despite being abandoned by Warner Bros., the film was acquired by Ketchup for $50 million and released with limited marketing funds. While it did not achieve financial profitability, it succeeded culturally by celebrating classic cartoons and promoting an anti-corporate message. The film's unexpected success has become a symbolic defeat for David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, who had attempted to cancel the project. The film's journey reflects broader tensions between creative freedom and corporate control in Hollywood.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames David Zaslav's attempt to cancel the film as a symbol of 'unimaginative' corporate control, aligning with progressive critiques of big studios. The emphasis on the film's cultural impact and anti-corporate message suggests a left-leaning perspective, highlighting the struggle for
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the $15.4 million domestic opening weekend, the No. 2 ranking behind 'Spider-Man,' and the $50 million acquisition price by Ketchup Entertainment. However, it adds speculative commentary about the film's 'cultural impact' and 'anti-corporate-monopoly message' not expli
Why objectivity (65): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'An Anvil Just Landed on David Zaslav’s Head' and 'embattled Looney Tunes riff.' It frames the situation as a 'humiliation' for Zaslav and implies a moral judgment about his decision to scrap the film, which shows bias rather than neutrality.
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