Prince Harry and Meghan’s latest film project bombs at box office, beaten by cat videos

A film produced by Prince Harry and Meghan’s company Archewell Productions has taken a hit at the box office, beaten by a compilation of cat videos.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are executive producers of the documentary film Cookie Queens, which follows the US Girls Scouts movement and their fundraising efforts.

The movie opened in 446 theatres worldwide on August 7 but made just $327,797 (approx. $460,000) − falling short of the weekend’s Top 10 releases, according to Box Office Mojo.

Each screening earned just under $1000, the site reported.

A compilation film of cat videos submitted by fans from around the world, CatVideoFest 2026, did make the top 10 despite being released in just 255 cinemas globally, earning $568,414 (approx. $800,000) at the box office.

“Not taking the good name of the world’s No 1 cat video festival in vain, this is by any measure a pretty pitiful return,” an industry source told The Times.

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Prince Harry and Meghan’s media company, Archewell Productions, partnered with Beautiful Stories and AJNA Films on the film.

The duke and his wife do not appear in the movie, but they did their best to publicise it by attending a screening at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah in January.

“I was a Girl Scout, my mum was a troop leader, and I think the value of friendship, of being dedicated to a goal, as you can see that in Cookie Queens, it’s so reflective of how these girls stick with something that’s important to them and don’t give up,” the duchess said while promoting the movie.

“And self-belief is an integral value that comes with being a Girl Scout.”

Last year when launching her As Ever shortbread cookie mix, Meghan shared photographs of herself as a child selling cookies in her Girl Scouts uniform.

The film debuted at Sundance after Prince Harry and Meghan’s multi-million contract with Netflix was renewed in a watered-down deal, in August. Under the “multiyear, first-look deal” the streamer is given the first option on any ideas the Sussexes come up with rather than funding the couple’s entire production output.

Their previous projects with Netflix have been hit and miss, bringing in mixed reactions.

Prince Harry and Meghan’s most successful project so far was their first.

The six-part docu-series Harry & Meghan, became the streamer’s biggest documentary debut ever when it premiered in December 2022, generating 23.4 million views in its first four days. But the series was widely criticised and viewing quickly dropped off in later episodes.

The duchess’ lifestyle and cooking show With Love, Meghan was not renewed after two seasons and a Christmas special in 2025.

Cookie Queens was Prince Harry and Meghan’s latest project through Archewell Productions.

Roadside Attractions, the independent distributor for the film, told Deadline the movie had performed well with groups of current and former girl scouts.

“We’re encouraged by the response and believe the film has a long life ahead as it continues to reach its many audiences,” they said. 

The low figures for Cookie Queens are likely to pour cold water on Harry and Meghan’s Hollywood ambitions.

However, they are said to be working on a film adaptation of the popular book, The Wedding Date, as co-producers through Archewell Productions and Netflix.