Harry and Meghan’s ‘Cookie Queens’ Beaten by Cat Videos at US Box Office
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Adam
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s latest film project has opened outside the US box-office top 10, with updated figures showing the Sussex-backed Girl Scout documentary earned substantially less than CatVideoFest 2026 despite playing in far more cinemas.
The latest breaking news on Harry and Meghan today centres on the US theatrical debut of Cookie Queens, a documentary executive produced by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex through Archewell Productions.
The film earned $353,255 (£263,000) across 446 US cinemas during its opening weekend of 7-9 August, according to updated figures from box-office tracker The Numbers. That works out at about $792 per cinema.
By comparison, CatVideoFest 2026, a compilation of internet cat videos, collected $568,414 from only 255 cinemas, averaging about $2,229 per location and securing a place in the weekend top 10.
The result means the cat-video compilation took roughly 61 per cent more at the weekend box office while appearing in about 43 per cent fewer cinemas than Cookie Queens. That comparison is based on the latest published box-office totals rather than a figure issued by either production.
Early reports, including coverage of the story on Tuesday, cited a lower preliminary Cookie Queens weekend figure of around $327,800. Updated industry data now records the opening at $353,255, while the film’s total US takings had risen to $393,869 after Monday, 10 August.
According to box-office tracker The Numbers, Cookie Queens earned $353,255 from 446 US cinemas between 7 and 9 August 2026. CatVideoFest 2026 earned $568,414 from 255 cinemas over the same weekend.
What is Harry and Meghan’s Cookie Queens About?
Directed by Alysa Nahmias, Cookie Queens follows four young Girl Scouts as they attempt to become leading cookie sellers while dealing with the ambitions, pressures and family dynamics surrounding the annual sales season.
The Sundance Institute describes the world explored by the film as an $800 million business, with the documentary examining the collision between childhood and commercial ambition. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on 25 January 2026 before reaching US cinemas through Roadside Attractions on 7 August.
Harry and Meghan are executive producers rather than the documentary’s directors. Sundance credits Nahmias as director and producer, alongside producers Michael Dweck, Gregory Kershaw and Jennifer Sims.
The project also has a personal connection for Meghan, who was involved with the Girl Scouts when she was younger. During promotion surrounding the theatrical release, she appeared with Nahmias and several of the girls featured in the documentary.
The film has received a range of critical responses. Variety’s review questioned whether its approach sometimes drifted too far towards reality television, while other reviewers were more positive about its portrayal of young girls developing confidence, ambition and leadership skills.
For UK royal watchers, the figures provide a clearer measure of the commercial start for another Archewell media project. They should not, however, be read as the film’s final performance: Cookie Queens remains in theatrical release, meaning its domestic total could continue to change.
As of the latest available box-office data, the documentary has earned $393,869 domestically, while CatVideoFest 2026 stands at $568,414.
About the Journalist
Adam reports on London news, events and local developments. His coverage includes festivals, exhibitions, public announcements, community stories and important updates affecting people across the city. He aims to provide timely and accessible reporting on what is happening in London.
