Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's latest film project, the documentary "Cookie Queens," has struggled at the box office, marking a disappointing theatrical debut for the couple as executive producers. The film garnered only $735 per screen, opening at No. 15 with a total of $327,797 from 446 screens over its opening weekend.
"Cookie Queens" finished behind several other independent films, including A24's Anthony Bourdain biopic "Tony," and two Indian imports, "DC" and "Korean Kanakaraju." It was also outperformed by "CatVideoFest 2026," a 70-minute compilation of internet cat videos, which ranked higher in some box office tracking.
The documentary, which centers on an intense Girl Scout Cookie season and received critical praise with a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, was directed by Alysa Nahmias. Despite positive reviews and a strong debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January, its commercial performance fell short of expectations.
Industry analysts suggest that the film's release timing by distributor Roadside Attractions may have contributed to its low box office numbers. Senior media analyst Jeff Bock noted that releasing the documentary during the summer, rather than during the peak Girl Scout cookie season when the topic is more relevant to public conversation, was a missed marketing opportunity.
This box office performance adds to a string of projects from the couple's Archewell Productions that have not resonated with audiences since their initial lucrative deal with Netflix. Their Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan" in 2023 was their first and, to date, only significant hit under the reported $100 million pact initiated in 2020. Subsequent projects, including a "Polo" documentary and the series "With Love, Meghan," have reportedly failed to gain traction.
"With Love, Meghan" did not secure a third season on Netflix due to declining ratings, and Netflix also ended its direct support for Markle's "As Ever" brand earlier this year, transitioning to a more general first-look deal with the couple. A Variety report in March indicated that Netflix felt the Sussexes' repeated focus on their royal exit had become repetitive.
Archewell's ventures have also faced challenges in other media. The couple's $25 million deal with Spotify concluded in 2023 after only one season of Meghan Markle's podcast, "Archetypes," leading to a mutual agreement to part ways with the company.
Despite the commercial setbacks, individuals who worked on "Cookie Queens" with Markle described the experience positively. One source involved with the documentary stated they found her good to work with. The film was initially hoped to be a project that could revitalize the former "Suits" star's Hollywood endeavors, with one Sundance source indicating in January that "a lot is riding on this documentary" for the couple's Hollywood ventures.