Melania Documentary Beats Box Office Expectations Despite Criticism

The film about the former first lady generated $7.04 million in its opening weekend, surpassing initial projections.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 2:47pm

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The Amazon MGM Studios documentary "Melania: Twenty Days to History" exceeded box office expectations, bringing in $7.04 million in its opening weekend. The film, which was backed by the White House and directed by Bret Ratner, was initially projected to make around $5 million. Despite poor reviews from critics, the film resonated with audiences, particularly female moviegoers, and took the No. 3 overall spot at the box office.

Why it matters

The strong box office performance of the Melania Trump documentary, despite negative reviews, highlights the continued political polarization in the country and the ability of certain figures to draw passionate support from their base. The film's high-profile marketing campaign and backing from the former president's circle also raise questions about the role of political influence in the entertainment industry.

The details

The Amazon MGM Studios film was released in over 1,500 theaters in North America and was estimated to make $5 million, which would have been a relatively solid opening for a documentary. However, it ended up generating $7.04 million, making it the strongest start for a non-music documentary in over a decade. The top-performing markets for the film included Dallas, Orlando, Tampa, Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta, and West Palm Beach - all areas where former President Trump performed well in the 2024 election. The documentary also mostly attracted female moviegoers, who made up about 70% of the audience.

  • The film was released in theaters on February 1, 2026.

The players

Bret Ratner

The filmmaker who directed the Melania documentary. Ratner was previously accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women in 2017, but has denied the allegations and was never charged. He has become a fixture in Trump's circle and spent a significant amount of time living at Mar-a-Lago while shooting the film.

Melania Trump

The former first lady of the United States, whose life and time in the White House is the subject of the documentary.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, who is said to have been involved in pushing for the distribution of Ratner's "Rush Hour 4" film.

Kevin Wilson

The Head of Domestic Theatrical Distribution at Amazon MGM Studios, who lauded the documentary's "strong start" at the box office.

Marc Beckman

A senior adviser to the first lady and the husband of Melania Trump's friend, designer Alice Roi, who attended the film's premiere.

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What they’re saying

“This momentum is an important first step in what we see as a long-tail lifecycle for both the film and the forthcoming docu-series, extending well beyond the theatrical window and into what we believe will be a significant run for both on our service.”

— Kevin Wilson, Head of Domestic Theatrical Distribution, Amazon MGM Studios

“Everybody will connect on a certain level. Teenagers can go to see, young women can go to see and be inspired that they could have a family and business, as well.”

— Melania Trump

What’s next

Amazon MGM Studios plans to release a docu-series related to the Melania documentary on its streaming service following the film's theatrical run.

The takeaway

The strong box office performance of the Melania Trump documentary, despite negative reviews, underscores the continued political polarization in the country and the ability of certain figures to draw passionate support from their base. The film's high-profile marketing campaign and backing from the former president's circle also raise questions about the role of political influence in the entertainment industry.