‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ made a strong start in North American previews, taking $1.7 million ahead of an expected $12–14 million opening weekend, which would be a record for independent distributor Ketchup Entertainment. Its performance is notable because the live-action/animation hybrid was previously shelved by Warner Bros, while positive reviews and audience scores may help it reach beyond its online fanbase.

The preview total includes $446,000 from earlier sneak screenings, and Ketchup reportedly spent about $10 million on marketing after acquiring the film globally for $50 million. Meanwhile, Ridley Scott’s ‘The Dog Stars’ earned $850,000 in Thursday previews and is now projected to open around $8 million, below initial hopes; ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ is still expected to lead the box office in its fifth weekend.