Director Brett Ratner’s documentary, “Melania,” depicting the life of First Lady Melania Trump, has exceeded box office expectations, earning $7 million during its opening weekend. This figure was confirmed by estimates shared by Amazon MGM Studios on February 1. Initially projected to earn between $3 million and $5 million, the film’s performance surprised industry analysts.
Box Office Performance
The documentary focuses on the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in 2025, as seen through Melania Trump’s eyes. As final box-office numbers are set to be released on February 2, “Melania” managed to secure the third position in the domestic box office rankings for the weekend.
Comparative Box Office Rankings
- 1st: “Send Help” – $20 million (survival comedy/thriller)
- 2nd: “Iron Lung” – $17.9 million (indie horror)
- 3rd: “Melania” – $7 million
- 4th: “Zootopia 2” – $5.8 million (Disney sequel)
- 5th: “Shelter” – $5.5 million (action film starring Jason Statham)
Critical Reception vs. Audience Approval
Despite the box office success, the documentary has faced harsh criticism from reviewers. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a low 11% approval score. Conversely, audience reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, as evidenced by a 99% approval rating on the site’s Popcornmeter and an A grade in CinemaScore assessments.
Industry Insights
Jeff Bock, a senior media analyst at Exhibitor Relations, noted that hitting over $1 million is a significant achievement, particularly for a documentary. His comments highlighted the film’s ability to attract viewers beyond regular moviegoers.
Prominent Rollout and Future Plans
“Melania” enjoyed a more glamorous launch than typical documentaries. A private screening at the White House featured Melania Trump just a week prior to its release. The film premiered at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington on January 29, attended by a host of celebrities and notable figures, including rapper Nicki Minaj and media personality Dr. Phil.
Financial Considerations
Despite its strong opening, the film has a considerable distance to cover before turning a profit. Amazon MGM Studios acquired “Melania” along with a companion docuseries for $40 million and allocated an additional $35 million for marketing efforts. Both the film and its docuseries are expected to be available for streaming on Prime Video later this year, with Amazon anticipating recovering some costs through advertisements and new subscriptions.
