RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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As the summer movie season winds down, new releases are still making an impact despite persistent heavy hitters.
In the case of Coyote vs. Acme , it managed to do as well even with Spider-Man: Brand New Day still holding the top spot. Per the Hollywood Reporter , the Looney Tunes flick opened to $15.4 million domestic, the biggest debut for distributor Ketchup. (It's also within spitting distance of the $15.5 million made by its predecessor, 2025's The Day the Earth Blew Up .)
Not a bad start for a once-canceled movie, and the positive reception from critics and audiences doesn't hurt, either. It's not every day we get a live-action Looney Tunes movie—the last was 2021's Space Jam: A New Legacy, which had a dual theatrical/HBO Max release—but what Coyote vs. Acme marketing there's been has made sure to acknowledge how lucky it is to have come out. Those in the know have been sure to emphasize that point, even trying to sell it as a way to stick it to Warner Bros. Discovery and current head David Zaslav. That seems to have worked, and the movie's taking wins where it can.
Due to pressure from ACME’s pro-arachnid lobby, we’d like to issue the following correction. https://t.co/eaIazEMh5g pic.twitter.com/RhFRNDc1sS
— Coyote vs. ACME (@CoyoteACMEMovie) August 30, 2026
Less successful this weekend was The Dog Stars . The post-apocalyptic flick from Ridley Scott debuted to $8 million, and what audiences did see it came away fairly mixed on it. (A definite contrast to critics, who largely didn't vibe with it.) As is, this makes for his lowest open since The Last Duel opened with $4.8 million back in 2021. Lastly, Buddy , the supernatural slasher from Too Many Cooks creator Casper Kelly, launched to $5.4 million and generally positive impressions from critics and audiences alike.
Now it's time for the fall movie season, starting with Onslaught (September 4) and Practical Magic 2 (September 11)!
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 .
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