Amazon-backed Melania documentary shocked box office expectations, earning $8 million opening weekend as heavy promotion drove curiosity, despite mixed reviews and questions over sustainability ahead of streaming release.
WEBDESK – MediaBites
Melania, a documentary focused on former first lady Melania Trump, has delivered a stronger-than-expected opening at the box office, fueled by an aggressive marketing push and growing public curiosity around the high-profile project.
Backed by Amazon, the film earned an estimated $8 million during its opening weekend, roughly 60 percent higher than initial industry forecasts, according to early box office data. The result is striking for a documentary, a genre that rarely achieves such numbers without a major cultural or political hook.
Industry analysts say the performance owes less to critical enthusiasm and more to Amazon’s promotional muscle. The company reportedly poured significant resources into nationwide advertising, premium theater placements, and digital campaigns, effectively positioning the film like a mainstream release rather than a niche documentary.
The film presents a carefully curated portrait of Melania Trump, tracing her public and private life while largely avoiding controversy. Critics have offered mixed to negative reviews, with some calling the project a glossy, tightly controlled narrative. Still, audience turnout suggests curiosity has trumped skepticism—at least in the opening frame.
The debut also reflects a broader shift in Hollywood, where streaming giants are increasingly testing theatrical releases to generate buzz before moving content onto their platforms. For Amazon, the box office numbers may be secondary to the long-term value of attention, engagement and eventual streaming viewership.
Whether Melania can sustain momentum remains an open question. Political documentaries often experience sharp drop-offs after opening weekend, especially when reviews fail to ignite word-of-mouth. Even so, analysts note that the film has already achieved something rare: turning a personality-driven documentary into a short-term box office event.
In today’s media landscape, the opening of Melania underscores a simple reality—controversy, celebrity and deep-pocketed promotion can still move audiences, even when critics remain unconvinced.
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