Melania Trump Documentary Sparks Glamor, Backlash and Box Office Uncertainty

Washington, D.C. — Melania, a documentary film co-produced by First Lady Melania Trump and directed by Brett Ratner, has opened to a flurry of attention — from red-carpet glamor at its Washington premiere to scathing critical reviews and weak early ticket sales.

The film — distributed by Amazon MGM Studios after a reported $40 million rights deal — debuted at the Trump-Kennedy Center on Jan. 29, ahead of its global theatrical release on Jan. 30. The premiere drew President Donald Trump and a mix of political and entertainment figures, framing the documentary as a cinematic look at Melania Trump’s role during the 20 days leading up to her husband’s second presidential inauguration.

Melania, who also serves as an executive producer, called the film “beautiful, emotional, fashionable and cinematic,” emphasizing its personal focus on her diplomatic work, family life and preparations at the White House. President Trump touted it as “a very important movie.”

Critical Backlash and Ticket Sales Trouble

While the film has benefited from lavish promotion, including Melania’s appearance at the New York Stock Exchange opening bell, mainstream critics have been highly dismissive. Some reviews characterize Melania as a hollow spectacle with little substantive insight into its subject, comparing it unfavorably to serious documentaries and dismissing it as empty glamour.

Insiders tell Yahoo! that ticket sales have been poor, prompting political allies to intervene in promotional efforts — a sign of struggle for what had been billed as a major cultural release.

Political and Cultural Conversation

The movie’s release has sparked broader debate about the intersection of politics and entertainment. Critics on late-night television and social media have mocked the documentary’s tone and purpose, suggesting it feels more like self-promotion than a genuine cinematic project. Others suggest its polarized reception reflects current cultural divides in how political figures are portrayed in mainstream media.

Looking Ahead

Despite sharp criticism and underwhelming early commercial traction, Melania will remain in theaters through its planned run and is scheduled to stream on Amazon Prime Video after the theatrical window closes. Its high budget — both for production and marketing — raises questions about the economics of politically associated films in today’s entertainment landscape.

Analysts will be watching closely how audiences respond in the coming weeks — a performance that many industry observers expect to be modest compared with traditional documentary releases.