Melania Film Struggles at Box Office, Loses Theaters

The biographical drama about the former First Lady sees a 68% drop in ticket sales and loses nearly 800 theaters in its latest week.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The biographical film about Melania Trump, the third wife of former President Donald Trump, is nearing the end of its theatrical run after a dismal box office performance. The film saw a 68% drop in ticket sales this week, earning just $132,181 on Tuesday as many venues showing the movie had empty seats. The total box office for the film in the U.S. is now $15.7 million, and it has lost 799 theaters, leaving only 1,204 still playing the movie.

Why it matters

The poor performance of the 'Melania' film highlights the challenges of making a biographical drama about a controversial public figure, especially one who has maintained a relatively low profile compared to her husband. The film's struggles also reflect the broader challenges facing the movie industry as it tries to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The details

The film, which premiered on January 29, 2026, at the Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., has faced a steady decline in ticket sales since its opening. The Tuesday take of $132,181 was a significant drop from the previous week, and the film has now lost nearly two-thirds of its theater count. The total box office of $15.7 million in the U.S. is considered a disappointment, especially given the film's high-profile subject matter.

  • The 'Melania' film premiered on January 29, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
  • This week, the film lost 799 theaters, leaving only 1,204 still playing the movie.

The players

Melania Trump

The third wife of former President Donald Trump and the subject of the biographical film.

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What they’re saying

“Where is Barron? Not seen since New Year's Eve, barely in the movie. In a cage in the basement of Mar-a-Lago? This may be the saddest story of all time.”

— Roger Friedman, Showbiz411 Columnist (Showbiz411)

The takeaway

The struggles of the 'Melania' film highlight the challenges of making a successful biographical drama about a controversial public figure, especially one who has maintained a relatively low profile. The film's poor box office performance and declining theater count suggest that the public may not have a strong appetite for this type of story, at least in the current entertainment landscape.