Three years ago, today never felt possible. That was when Warner Bros. unceremoniously and rather mysteriously shelved its upcoming film, Coyote vs. Acme. Years passed with the film in limbo until Ketchup Entertainment picked it up and spent a year building the hype, and now it’s in theaters. The whole thing feels like a contraption worthy of Wile E. Coyote himself.
To mark the occasion, the film’s director, Dave Green, released a little message on social media to thank everyone for taking the wild journey. We’ve transcribed it below.
COYOTE VS. ACME IS FINALLY, GLORIOUSLY, IN THEATERS NOW. Which means one thing. WE WON. You can go see this movie. In a theater. In your favorite seat. With your favorite snacks. With your favorite people. You can head into a dark room and laugh with strangers. Together. Congratulations to everyone who made this happen.
This victory is a shared experience in so many ways. It’s a record of the cast and crew, post, prep, and animation teams who poured so much love and passion into it over years and years.
It’s shared, permanently, with the audience who fought so hard for its survival. Your fight is the reason this film finally made it to the big screen. Thank you to Ketchup Entertainment for hearing the audience. We’re so grateful that you did.
This is a celebration, it’s proof that movies don’t just go away. We make work so it can be seen and shared – that’s the whole reason we do what we do. Persistence and resilience have truly won the day. Enjoy Coyote vs. Acme on the big screen. Where it was always meant to be seen.
Green even worked this sentiment into the movie itself. Apparently, at the end of the film’s credits, there’s a little message for anyone who stuck around. “Dedicated to everyone who posted, shared, held up signs, and spoke out when it counted. This film made it to the big screen because of you.”
Star Will Forte also shared a celebratory message on social media:
Thank you to everyone who fought for this movie— Coyote Vs Acme in theaters NOW 🙂 pic.twitter.com/IsITzIDUtk
— Will Forte (@OrvilleIV) August 28, 2026
All of which will feel pretty disappointing if the film doesn’t at least do okay at the box office but so far, so good. From its Thursday night previews alone, Coyote vs. Acme already grossed about $1.7 million, good for number three at the box office behind Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey. If that holds, it will be considered a massive, massive win for a film that has long since needed it.
Are you seeing Coyote vs. Acme this weekend? Let us know below, and don’t forget to read our review and interview with Green.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
