The documentary Melania, based on the life of former U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, has made a remarkable splash at the North American box office. However, film critics appear largely unimpressed by the film.
In its opening weekend, the documentary grossed nearly $7 million, an exceptional figure for a documentary. While the box office performance has been impressive, critics have largely panned the film, giving it very low ratings. Directed by Brett Ratner, the documentary covers events 20 days before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
Industry analysts suggest that, despite the critical reception, the documentary could become one of the most successful documentaries of the past decade. The buzz surrounding the film has captured widespread attention. First Lady Melania Trump herself shared her excitement on social media platform X, praising the documentary and calling it “a cinematic score.”
Interestingly, she also claimed that the film has already earned more than the top five Oscar-nominated Best Picture films, highlighting its commercial appeal.
Despite the financial success, the film has been criticized for its quality. On Metacritic, it received a score of just 6 out of 100, while Rotten Tomatoes shows an approval rating of only 10%, indicating that 90 out of 100 critics rated it poorly.
For director Brett Ratner, “Melania” is particularly significant, marking his return to directing after nearly 12 years. Ratner had been largely absent from Hollywood, following serious allegations of sexual misconduct. While these accusations generated significant criticism, no criminal charges were proven, and he faced no legal penalties. After nearly a decade away from the spotlight, he has now returned with this documentary.
Financially, the film represents a major investment. Amazon MGM Studios reportedly spent $40 million for distribution rights, with an additional $35 million poured into marketing, making it one of the most expensive documentaries ever produced, according to The Hollywood Reporter. With only $7 million earned so far, the film still has a long way to go to recoup its estimated $75 million total cost.
Demographically, a majority of the audience came from North America, accounting for around 75% of viewers, according to Variety. The second largest group, Hispanic viewers, made up about 11% of the audience. Given the influence of the Hispanic community in U.S. politics, their notable presence among viewers adds an interesting layer of context to the documentary’s reception.
