Documentary 'Melania' Exceeds Box Office Expectations Amid Controversy
The documentary film Melania, produced by Amazon MGM, performed unexpectedly well at the North American box office, grossing $7 million in its opening weekend, surpassing initial projections.
This film chronicles the life of Melania Trump, the First Lady, during the twenty days leading up to her husband’s inauguration as President of the United States in 2025, offering a closer look at her personal and political journey prior to her time in the White House.
David A. Gross, an analyst from Franchise Entertainment Research, characterized the film as a political venture rather than a traditional cinematic project. He noted that while the $75 million production budget is substantial for a documentary, it is relatively modest for Amazon.
He remarked: "This is a strong opening for a documentary, but it raises concerns for other films due to limited prospects for international earnings."
In the broader box office landscape, the film Send Help from Twentieth Century led the weekend with $20 million. This film tells the story of a woman and her manager stranded on a deserted island following a plane crash, featuring performances by Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien.
Following closely was Iron Lang, which earned $18 million. This sci-fi film, based on a video game, was created by YouTube star Mark Fischbach, known as Markiplier, and is set in a post-apocalyptic environment.
The premiere of Melania took place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., at the end of January, and was attended by the First Lady, generating considerable media and public interest.
