Documentary 'Cookie Queens' Sees Disappointing Box Office Debut
The documentary 'Cookie Queens', executive produced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, opened to modest box office numbers. Despite strong critical reviews, its debut performance lagged behind other releases, raising questions about the couple's entertainment ventures.
Key takeaways
- The documentary 'Cookie Queens' earned $327,797 from 446 screens during its opening weekend.
- The film, executive produced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, ranked 15th at the domestic box office.
- Industry analysts suggested the release date may have hindered the documentary's box office success.
- The film has received strong critical reviews, achieving a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What Happened
The documentary film 'Cookie Queens', which chronicles a competitive Girl Scout cookie selling season, has debuted with disappointing box-office results. Directed by Alysa Nahmias and released by Roadside Attractions, the film is the first theatrical feature from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell Productions.
During its opening weekend, 'Cookie Queens' earned $327,797 from 446 theaters, securing 15th place in the domestic box office. Its average per-screen earnings of $735 were notably lower than those of 'CatVideoFest 2026,' a compilation of viral cat videos.
Why It Matters
The film's box office performance has drawn attention to the commercial success of Harry and Meghan's entertainment ventures since their reported $100 million Netflix deal in 2020. While their Netflix docuseries 'Harry & Meghan' was a significant success, subsequent projects have not generated similar momentum.
Background
'Cookie Queens' premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival. The film follows young Girl Scouts as they navigate the annual cookie-selling season, highlighting their sales goals, the financial commitments of their families, and the rewards they receive, such as badges and prizes. The documentary also touches on the operational costs of the Girl Scout organization, including bakeries, staff, and facilities.
An industry analyst suggested that the documentary's release date, outside of the peak Girl Scout cookie season, may have negatively impacted its box office potential. Analyst Jeff Bock noted that releasing the film during the active cookie-selling period would have better aligned it with public conversation.
Key Facts
- The documentary 'Cookie Queens' earned $327,797 from 446 screens in its opening weekend.
- The film ranked 15th at the domestic box office.
- Its per-screen average was $735.
- 'Cookie Queens' is the theatrical feature debut as executive producers for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle through Archewell Productions.
- The film follows the competitive season of Girl Scout cookie sales.
- Alysa Nahmias directed the documentary.
- The film received a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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