What Are the Mixed Reviews for the 'Melania' Documentary?
Synopsis
The documentary 'Melania' about the First Lady has sparked a range of opinions, achieving notable box office success but struggling with critical reception. Despite financial backing, it faces steep challenges in the competitive documentary landscape.
Key Takeaways
'Melania' ranks third in the North American box office.
The documentary garnered only 6 percent approval from critics.
Directed by Brett Ratner , it's his first film in 12 years.
The production faced significant financial investments from Amazon.
Ticket sales reflect political divisions across the country.
Los Angeles, Feb 2 (NationPress) “Melania,” a documentary focused on US First Lady Melania Trump, had a robust debut, securing the third position at the North American weekend box office. However, it faced unfavorable critiques from movie reviewers.
Directed by Brett Ratner, “Melania” chronicles the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Supporters of the couple contributed to its impressive estimated box office earnings of 7 million US dollars—a notably high sum for a documentary, as reported by Xinhua.
The film is on track to become the best-performing documentary of its genre in nearly a decade, a milestone celebrated by the first lady on X, where she proudly declared: Loved By All -- “A” CinemaScore.
Nevertheless, critics have rated it poorly, with a mere 6 percent approval on Metacritic and 10 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating that fewer than ten out of every hundred critics viewed it favorably.
This marks Ratner’s first feature film in 12 years, having returned to directing after facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and that did not lead to criminal charges.
The documentary still faces challenges on its path to financial success. Amazon MGM Studios invested 40 million US dollars for distribution rights and an additional 35 million US dollars for marketing, prompting The Hollywood Reporter to call it “the most expensive documentary” ever produced.
Amazon has disputed this claim, asserting it licensed the project based on the belief that audiences would respond positively.
Ticket sales reflect the nation’s polarized political landscape, showing strong attendance in conservative areas while enthusiasm is notably lower in liberal urban centers.
According to Variety, a leading Hollywood trade publication, nearly 75 percent of the audience was white, with Hispanic viewers making up 11 percent of ticket purchasers.
Point of View
I view the reception of 'Melania' as a reflection of the current cultural and political climate. The polarized nature of the audience's response highlights the challenges faced by politically themed documentaries today. While box office success is commendable, the critical feedback suggests that artistic merit is still under scrutiny.
NationPress
4 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the box office performance of 'Melania'?
'Melania' opened strong, ranking third in the North American weekend box office with approximately 7 million US dollars in revenue.
Who directed the documentary?
Brett Ratner directed the documentary 'Melania'.
What are the critical reviews for 'Melania'?
Critics have given 'Melania' a rating of only 6 percent on Metacritic and 10 percent on Rotten Tomatoes .
How much did Amazon invest in distribution and marketing?
Amazon MGM Studios spent 40 million US dollars for distribution rights and an additional 35 million US dollars for marketing.
What demographic made up the audience for 'Melania'?
Nearly 75 percent of the audience was white, with 11 percent being Hispanic viewers.
