'Coyote Vs. Acme' Distributor Ketchup Entertainment Takes U.S. On Norwegian Animated Pic 'ViQueens'
Deadline
β’Sat, 05 Sep 2026 17:47:53 +0000
π° What Happened
Ketchup Entertainment, hot off giving Warner Bros Animation's 'Coyote vs. Acme' a theatrical release, has acquired US distribution rights to the Norwegian animated film 'ViQueens', directed by Harald Zwart. The film follows two fearless Viking girls, Ingrid and Hedvig, who defy tradition to return a stowaway boy to China, travelling from Norway's fjords through Byzantine intrigue and along the legendary Silk Road. A teaser launches exclusively in theaters on 'Coyote vs. Acme' this weekend, with a theatrical date for the film in the works.
π The Backstory
'Coyote vs. Acme' has been a breakout for Ketchup, barreling toward $37 million at the domestic box office by Labor Day and notching the distributor's best domestic opening ($15.9 million) and overall cume ever. The film's success has entrenched Ketchup in the family-entertainment space. 'ViQueens' is produced by Veslemoy Ruud Zwart of Zwart Arbeid, with an international voice cast led by Ella Purnell of 'Arcane', 'Fallout' and 'Yellowjackets'.
π― Why It Matters
The acquisition extends Ketchup's winning streak after rescuing 'Coyote vs. Acme' from the scrapheap, positioning it as a significant independent distributor. 'ViQueens' offers family audiences a female-led, cross-cultural adventure at a time when non-studio animation is rare. It also keeps alive the industry storyline of distributors championing projects the majors passed on.
Ketchup Entertainment, hot off giving Warner Bros Animation's 'Coyote vs. Acme' a theatrical release, has acquired US distribution rights to the Norwegian animated film 'ViQueens', directed by Harald Zwart. The film follows two fearless Viking girls, Ingrid and Hedvig, who defy tradition to return a stowaway boy to China, travelling from Norway's fjords through Byzantine intrigue and along the legendary Silk Road. A teaser launches exclusively in theaters on 'Coyote vs. Acme' this weekend, with a theatrical date for the film in the works.
'Coyote vs. Acme' has been a breakout for Ketchup, barreling toward $37 million at the domestic box office by Labor Day and notching the distributor's best domestic opening ($15.9 million) and overall cume ever. The film's success has entrenched Ketchup in the family-entertainment space. 'ViQueens' is produced by Veslemoy Ruud Zwart of Zwart Arbeid, with an international voice cast led by Ella Purnell of 'Arcane', 'Fallout' and 'Yellowjackets'.
The acquisition extends Ketchup's winning streak after rescuing 'Coyote vs. Acme' from the scrapheap, positioning it as a significant independent distributor. 'ViQueens' offers family audiences a female-led, cross-cultural adventure at a time when non-studio animation is rare. It also keeps alive the industry storyline of distributors championing projects the majors passed on.