Coyote vs. Acme is no bomb.

After decades of failure attempting to catch the Roadrunner, Wile E. Coyote has had enough. Believing that the flaws lie not in his (super genius) plans but in the tech that he’s purchased from ACME Corporation, the Coyote decides to take the fight to big business by launching a lawsuit against them. Teaming up with Kevin Avery (Will Forte), an accident lawyer who’s his own brand of trainwreck, the duo send word to ACME’s corporate counsel Buddy Crane (John Cena) that they’re looking for compensation. But after they uncover a much deeper conspiracy, Kevin and Wile E. are shocked to discover how deep the rabbit hole really goes.

Directed by Dave Green, Coyote vs. Acme is easily one of the best animated hybrid films ever made. Since 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, there have been several attempts to make magic by blurring the worlds between cartoons and humans but few have managed to find a balance between humour and strong writing. Oh, don’t get me wrong. There are many that are ‘cute’ but few really lean into the chaos that this sort of family film has the opportunity to offer. (The one exception might be Lonely Island’s Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers film but that never got a theatrical release.)

Even so, Coyote vs. Acme works not only because it’s funny for kids. It works because it doesn’t cater to kids. Don’t get me wrong. This is absolutely a family film. However, whereas many of these films focus on kids while inviting parents to enjoy, Acme does the opposite. Taking a ‘courtroom drama’ approach to its filmmaking, the film feels like its targeting parents and inviting children to join in the fun as well. (Though, it’s worth noting that there are moments where the humour skews a little more… mature. You’ll understand what I mean when Daffy Duck or a certain ‘cancelled’ skunk make an appearance.)

And this approach actually works well with Chuck Jones’ style of humour and animation. Remember that the Looney Tunes world has always been the polar opposite to Disney’s in that characters seemed to carry a bit more attitude. Violence was more insane with characters intending to harm one another. (Let’s not forget that the whole relationship between Coyote and Roadrunner is based on his desire to eat him.) And that slightly sharper ‘edge’ has been missing from the Looney Tunes canon for years.

Of course, unintentionally adding to the fun is the film’s incredible real-life backstory. Having been permanently shelved as a tax write-off for Warner Bros back in 2023, the film was salvaged from the trash bin by the little-known Ketchup Entertainment after a massively popular fan outcry. And Acme has fully leaned into its resurrection in its advertising. Dubbed “the movie ACME doesn’t want you to see”, there’s an added sense of defeating its own heartless corporation simply by watching the film in theatres.

Having said this, what’s almost shocking is how earnest the film is about Wile E. Coyote’s pursuits. Long portrayed as the villain in the Roadrunner’s endless cardio sessions, here he’s portrayed as a creature who has every right to finish the job. Suddenly, his inability to catch the wily blue bird feels like an injustice. Like Sisyphus’ endless curse to push a boulder uphill, Wile E. too is tormented by his inability to do the one thing he wants more than anything else. Due to ACME’s faulty products, we recognize that he’s gotten the short end of the stick.

And he deserves his due.

As such, Coyote vs. Acme feels reminiscent of every great David and Goliath story. Though it’s set within the cartoon world, this feels surprisingly relevant in the real one. After all, this is simply the tale of one man… er… beast’s attempt to bring down another soulless corporation. In some ways, it’s almost The Insider… but with Looney Tunes characters.

Credit must also be given to Forte, Cena and Lana Condor for allowing themselves to become as cartoonish as their co-stars. As the lawyer for ACME Corporation, Cena is genuinely hilarious. Whether he’s interrogating Tweety Bird or talking down to Forte, Cena clearly relishes the opportunity to play in a world like this and his comedic talents are put to use effectively. At the same time, Condor is entirely enthusiastic as Forte’s sharp intern. Even in the wildest of moments, she grounds Forte’s character with positive energy.

But the soul of the film remains Forte himself. As Wile E.’s exasperated lawyer, Forte is allowed to both bring the sadness and embrace the madness. Having embraced his life as a failure, Kevin is a man who doesn’t believe in the larger fight. He’s a man who simply wants to survive. But Wile E.’s case eventually sparks something within him.

However, to say that this is a film that’s about learning to ‘never give up’ would be too simple. Instead, it’s about learning the importance of fighting for something larger than ourselves. As the case between Wile E. Coyote goes to trial, the film becomes increasingly sincere in its approach. Even though it never ceases to bring the funny, one can tell how important the underlying issues are to these characters and their well-being.

In the end, unlike the faulty products of ACME Corporation, Coyote vs. Acme really works. It’s savvy, surprisingly smart and very, very funny. And hey, if seeing it in theatres feels like you’re fighting the powers that be, that’s even better.

Coyote vs. Acme is available in theatres on Friday, August 28th, 2026.