Melania Trump Documentary Shocks With $7 Million Box Office Start

The controversial documentary Melania has stunned Hollywood with a stronger-than-expected debut, earning $7 million in its opening weekend. Released by Amazon MGM Studios, the film follows former first lady Melania Trump during the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in 2025.

A Surprising Start

Industry analysts had projected the Brett Ratner–directed documentary to open between $3 million and $5 million. Instead, it exceeded expectations, signaling that audiences outside traditional moviegoing demographics turned out in large numbers. “Anything over $1 million is a huge number,” said Jeff Bock, senior media analyst for Exhibitor Relations. “That would mean that a lot of folks who don’t normally go to the movies went to this.”

Critical Divide

Despite its box office success, Melania has faced harsh criticism. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds just an 11% positive score from critics. Audience reactions, however, tell a different story. The Popcornmeter shows a 99% approval rating, and CinemaScore polling gave the film an A grade. This sharp divide highlights the growing gap between critical reception and audience enthusiasm.

A Glitzy Premiere

The film had a high-profile rollout unusual for documentaries. On January 29, Melania Trump attended the premiere at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., alongside President Trump. The guest list included rapper Nicki Minaj, television personality Dr. Phil, and cabinet members Pete Hegseth and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A week earlier, Melania hosted a private White House screening, further elevating the film’s visibility.

Amazon’s Big Investment

Amazon MGM Studios acquired the documentary for $40 million and reportedly spent an additional $35 million on marketing. While the $7 million opening is encouraging, the film has a long way to go before becoming profitable. Still, Kevin Wilson, Amazon MGM Studios’ head of domestic theatrical distribution, expressed optimism: “We’re very encouraged by the strong start and positive audience response, with early box office for Melania exceeding our expectation.”

Audience Appeal

The film’s success appears driven by politically engaged audiences who rarely attend theaters. Its strong turnout underscores the commercial potential of politically aligned media when marketed as a prestige event. With screenings resembling rallies and audiences responding enthusiastically, Melania has tapped into a cultural moment that extends beyond cinema.

Looking Ahead

Final box office numbers will be announced February 2, and the film is expected to stream on Prime Video later this year. Whether Melania maintains momentum remains to be seen, but its opening weekend has already rewritten expectations for documentaries.