Melania Trump Documentary “Melania” Achieves Record-Setting Opening Weekend
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend a screening of the documentary film “Melania” at The Kennedy Center on January 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. “Melania” was directed by Brett Ratner, and Amazon paid $40 million to license the film, which follows the first lady in the twenty days before her return to the White House. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
The new Amazon MGM documentary “Melania” is projected to achieve a stronger-than-expected opening weekend of at least $8 million, marking the highest debut for a documentary in over a decade.
Marc Beckman, the film’s producer, stated on Saturday that the opening weekend has been “such an incredible success.”
“It’s official,” he said. “We are the number one highest opening in the past decade for documentaries.”
The film, which provides an inside look at former first lady Melania Trump’s final 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration last January, is also billed as the most expensive documentary ever produced.
Beckman added that the film received “an A” from the Cinema Score, a measure of audience sentiment.
“It’s very rare for movies to score with an A,” Beckman said. “And we got it.”
Industry coverage projects “Melania” will finish No. 3 at the weekend box office, trailing only newcomers “Send Help” and “Iron Lung,” while edging out Jason Statham’s new action film “Shelter.”
That performance has surprised some anti-Trump analysts who had predicted the film would struggle, citing nearly empty seat maps ahead of release.
Instead, the documentary appears to be resonating with conservative audiences, particularly in the South and south-central regions.
A targeted marketing push toward older conservatives culminated in a high-profile Washington, D.C., premiere Thursday night attended by Trump and a crowd of prominent supporters.
Demographically, the film’s box-office strength is being driven overwhelmingly by older women. Those 55 and above accounted for 72% of opening-day moviegoers, while 78% of all ticket buyers were 55 or older.
The first lady, during the movie’s premiere at the Trump-Kennedy Center, said that “Some have called this a documentary. It is not.”
“My film is a very deliberate act of authorship,” she said. “It is a created experience that offers perspectives, insights, and moments that only few have seen.”
When asked about what audiences can expect, Beckman described the film as following Melania Trump through meetings with family, business engagements, and philanthropic work as she prepared to return to the White House.
“What we did was profile her life for 20 days as she goes through meetings with her family, events with her loved ones, and her business,” Beckman said.
He noted that the film also includes footage from behind-the-scenes security planning sessions.
“This trip takes people into meetings they’ve never seen before, like you saw in the trailer—Secret Service meetings,” Beckman explained. “Viewers see how officials prepared to protect the first family ‘on the coattails of two assassination attempts.'”
Beckman highlighted one standout moment when President Trump spoke about his legacy.
“He’s saying his legacy is to be a peacemaker,” Beckman said. “And then she adds, and unifier.”
He emphasized the film’s focus on Melania Trump’s work ethic and dedication to family.
“We see this person who I’ve known for over 20 years, who’s a hard-working person,” Beckman added. “She is so devoted to family.”
The segment concluded with host Krysia Lenzo congratulating Beckman and wishing him continued success through the weekend.
“I appreciate your viewership support as well,” Beckman said.
