Coyote vs. Acme Review — The Underdog Won Twice

After Acme products fail him one too many times in his endless pursuit of the Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote decides he’s had enough. He hires a down-on-his-luck personal injury lawyer and takes the Acme Corporation to court.

Directed by Dave Green from a screenplay by Samy Burch — with a story developed alongside James Gunn, Ian Frazier and Jeremy Slater — it stars Will Forte as lawyer Kevin Avery, John Cena as Acme’s lawyer, and Lana Condor, with Eric Bauza voicing Wile E. Coyote. Our verdict: a hilarious, inventive and unexpectedly moving Looney Tunes courtroom comedy that more than lives up to its comeback story.

A Brilliant Concept

The premise is ingenious. For decades, Wile E. Coyote has been the punchline — a silent, sign-holding schemer flattened by his own gadgets. Coyote vs. Acme reframes him as a hero first and foremost, a character who doesn’t speak and communicates through signs, finally deciding he won’t take it any more.

Pairing him with Will Forte is inspired. Forte plays a slob of a lawyer who calls himself a loser, loves to settle — he’ll take $120 and walk away — and has all but given up on his own dignity. Taking on a gigantic corporation, defended by an imposing John Cena, genuinely frightens him. It’s a David-and-Goliath story, and an enormously satisfying one.

Looney Tunes to Its Core

You’ll Actually Care Who Wins

The biggest surprise is how invested you get. This isn’t just a string of pratfalls and gags with great animation. You’ll find yourself genuinely rooting for Wile E. to win his case, and caring about Forte’s lawyer reclaiming his dignity. Who knew we needed a Looney Tunes courtroom drama?

It’s also surprisingly emotional. Viewers have been touched by its themes of perseverance and friendship, and more than one critic admitted to tearing up by the end. As one animator put it online, it’s a film that asks why anyone should care about animated characters — and answers it beautifully.

Not Just a Good Story — a Good Movie

It would have been easy for Coyote vs. Acme to coast on goodwill. The tale of its near-deletion gave it an extraordinary publicity boost, and plenty of people wanted it to succeed on principle. But the reaction is clear: this isn’t a sympathy hit. The reviews, the audience scores and the box office all point the same way. It’s simply excellent.

And its success sends a message beyond the film itself. Audiences turned out to support a finished movie a studio had decided nobody should see — and proved that decision wrong. That’s worth remembering the next time a completed film is quietly shelved.

Things to Know

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

The Verdict

Coyote vs. Acme is the rare film whose behind-the-scenes story is matched by what’s on screen. It’s hilarious, brimming with love for the Looney Tunes, anchored by a terrific Will Forte, and far more emotional than a movie about a coyote suing a gadget company has any right to be.

It’s also a reminder of what audiences can do. A finished film was nearly erased; instead, it became one of the year’s most beloved comedies.

The honest read: watch it. Whether you catch one of its last theatrical showings or stream it at home, this is a crowd-pleaser that deserves every bit of its comeback. The underdog won twice — and so do you.

For more reviews, check out our full reviews section.

Score Breakdown