Melania Trump Documentary Surpasses US Box Office Expectations Amidst Mixed Global Reception
Published 2 February 2026
Highlights
- The Melania Trump documentary earned over $7 million in its US opening weekend, surpassing expectations.
- Despite strong US performance, the film underperformed in Australia and the UK, ranking low on box office charts.
- Amazon spent $40 million on rights and $35 million on marketing, sparking speculation about political motives.
- Critics have largely panned the film, with Rotten Tomatoes scores showing a stark contrast between audience and critic reviews.
- Director Brett Ratner defended the film's high production costs, dismissing claims of political favoritism.
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Rewritten Article
Melania Trump Documentary Surpasses US Box Office Expectations Amidst Mixed Global Reception
The newly released documentary about Melania Trump has defied initial box office predictions in the United States, raking in over $7 million during its opening weekend. This figure marks the strongest debut for a documentary in over a decade, according to industry reports. However, the film's performance in international markets, including Australia and the UK, has been less impressive.
US Success and International Struggles
In the US, the documentary, titled "Melania: 20 Days to History," opened to significant attention, largely due to Amazon MGM Studios' substantial investment. The studio spent $40 million on acquiring the rights and an additional $35 million on marketing. Despite its robust domestic performance, the film struggled overseas. In Australia, it debuted at number 31, earning just $982 per screen, while in the UK, it opened at number 29, with a total of £32,974 across 155 cinemas.
Critics and Audience Divide
The film has sparked a wide range of reactions, with a notable divide between audience and critic reviews. While it boasts a 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, critics have been less favorable, with a mere 10% rating. Variety's Owen Gleiberman criticized the film as "orchestrated and airbrushed," while Empire's William Thomas described it as "an obsequious, ring-kissing portrait." Despite these critiques, Melania Trump, who is among the film's producers, claimed the film has been "loved by all."
Speculation Over Amazon's Motives
Amazon's decision to invest heavily in the documentary has led to speculation about its motives. Some industry insiders suggest the move was an attempt to curry favor with the Trump administration. However, Amazon has maintained that the decision was purely based on the film's potential appeal to audiences. Brett Ratner, the film's director, dismissed claims of political favoritism, emphasizing the film's high production values.
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Scenario Analysis
Moving forward, the documentary's financial success will largely depend on its global box office performance. With a break-even point estimated at $100 million, the film faces an uphill battle. The mixed critical reception could impact its longevity in theaters, potentially affecting its international rollout. Additionally, the speculation surrounding Amazon's motives may continue to fuel discussions about the intersection of politics and entertainment. As the film's global performance unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor how these dynamics influence both its financial outcomes and public perception.
The newly released documentary about Melania Trump has defied initial box office predictions in the United States, raking in over $7 million during its opening weekend. This figure marks the strongest debut for a documentary in over a decade, according to industry reports. However, the film's performance in international markets, including Australia and the UK, has been less impressive.
US Success and International Struggles
In the US, the documentary, titled "Melania: 20 Days to History," opened to significant attention, largely due to Amazon MGM Studios' substantial investment. The studio spent $40 million on acquiring the rights and an additional $35 million on marketing. Despite its robust domestic performance, the film struggled overseas. In Australia, it debuted at number 31, earning just $982 per screen, while in the UK, it opened at number 29, with a total of £32,974 across 155 cinemas.
Critics and Audience Divide
The film has sparked a wide range of reactions, with a notable divide between audience and critic reviews. While it boasts a 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, critics have been less favorable, with a mere 10% rating. Variety's Owen Gleiberman criticized the film as "orchestrated and airbrushed," while Empire's William Thomas described it as "an obsequious, ring-kissing portrait." Despite these critiques, Melania Trump, who is among the film's producers, claimed the film has been "loved by all."
Speculation Over Amazon's Motives
Amazon's decision to invest heavily in the documentary has led to speculation about its motives. Some industry insiders suggest the move was an attempt to curry favor with the Trump administration. However, Amazon has maintained that the decision was purely based on the film's potential appeal to audiences. Brett Ratner, the film's director, dismissed claims of political favoritism, emphasizing the film's high production values.
What this might mean
Moving forward, the documentary's financial success will largely depend on its global box office performance. With a break-even point estimated at $100 million, the film faces an uphill battle. The mixed critical reception could impact its longevity in theaters, potentially affecting its international rollout. Additionally, the speculation surrounding Amazon's motives may continue to fuel discussions about the intersection of politics and entertainment. As the film's global performance unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor how these dynamics influence both its financial outcomes and public perception.
