Staff Reports
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, scored a surprising public relations defeat this weekend — but it wasn’t from the British tabloids. Their Archewell‑executive‑produced film Cookie Queens opened in many theaters and still earned less at the box office than a 70‑minute compilation of internet cat clips called CatVideoFest 2026.
Numbers Tell the Story
The math is brutal and simple. Cookie Queens opened in about 446 theaters and made roughly $354,262 on its opening weekend — about $794 per theater. By contrast, CatVideoFest 2026 played in roughly 255 theaters and took in about $568,414 — roughly $2,229 per theater. Cat videos, in half as many locations, outsold the Sussexes’ project by more than $200,000. For a couple used to headlines and attention, this is a clear sign that name recognition alone doesn’t buy movie tickets.
Good Reviews, Empty Seats
Critics liked Cookie Queens. The film earned strong festival notices and a high critics’ score, which normally helps small films find an audience. That didn’t happen in the multiplexes. Theaters were crowded with blockbusters and holdovers this summer, and a sweet, family‑friendly doc about Girl Scouts struggled to find space. Positive reviews don’t always equal paying customers — especially when the story’s natural home might be a streaming service, not a summer theater schedule full of explosions.
Why the Mismatch?
There are a few practical reasons for the flop. Timing and distribution matter. Roadside Attractions gave the film a theatrical run during a crowded box‑office week. Also, the audience for this kind of movie is more likely to watch at home with kids, not buy a theater ticket. And then there’s the celebrity factor: having the Sussexes’ names attached may have opened doors, but it didn’t create repeat customers. In short, buzz is not the same as a product people want to pay for.
A Simple Lesson — Less Hype, More Product
This should be a teachable moment: celebrity can start a conversation, but it can’t replace substance. If Prince Harry and Meghan want commercial success, they need fewer press cycles and better target choices — or accept that some projects belong on streaming from day one. Until then, getting beaten at the box office by a cat montage is a punchline the media won’t forget. If reputation recovery is the goal, making something undeniably good and letting it speak for itself is the plainest, most effective route.
