Documentary on Melania Trump Opens to Strong Box Office Despite Negative Reviews

The documentary feature *Melania*, which chronicles the twenty days leading up to Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration in January 2025, premiered in theaters on January 30, 2026. The film marks the return to feature filmmaking for director Brett Ratner, following allegations of sexual misconduct that surfaced in 2017 and led to his industry withdrawal. Amazon MGM Studios acquired the distribution rights in a deal reportedly valued at $40 million, establishing a record acquisition price for a documentary, which also includes a contingent follow-up docuseries.

The production and marketing investment for the non-fiction feature totaled an estimated $75 million, a figure substantially exceeding typical budgets for the genre. Critical reception to *Melania* was generally unfavorable, with many reviews noting the film’s controlled visual style and measured statements as evidence of a deliberate avoidance of substantive self-disclosure. The narrative focused primarily on the logistical details of inauguration preparations and her time as First Lady, including the 'Be Best' initiative, while appearing to circumvent more contentious subjects.

Despite the overwhelmingly negative critical consensus, which registered as low as 10 percent on one aggregation platform, the film achieved a powerful initial theatrical run. It generated $7.04 million domestically during its opening weekend, securing the third position overall and setting the largest opening record for any non-concert feature film in a decade. Audience data indicated strong support, evidenced by an 'A' CinemaScore and a 99 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the demographic skewing heavily toward females over the age of 55. Opening day ticket purchasers were reported to be 49% Republican and 2% Democrat.

The film premiered on January 29, 2026, at the Kennedy Center, which was recently renamed under a Trump-appointed board. Melania Trump, who also served as an executive producer, has maintained political engagement in the 2026 calendar, actively supporting the 'Take It Down Act,' a bipartisan measure she championed to combat non-consensual imagery and AI-generated deepfakes, which was signed into law in May 2025. She has also recently indicated plans for a new 2026 legislative effort focused on Artificial Intelligence education.

Director Brett Ratner’s reappearance in feature filmmaking has drawn attention to accountability within the industry, though no criminal charges were filed following the 2017 allegations. Ratner reportedly spent months filming at Mar-a-Lago. Furthermore, reports suggest that President Trump is advocating for the revival of the *Rush Hour* franchise, with Ratner slated to direct a fourth installment for Paramount, potentially signaling a broader professional return for the filmmaker.