Critics called "Melania,"the opulent and controversial documentary from Hollywood pariah Brett Ratner, an "elaborate piece of designer taxidermy, horribly overpriced and ice-cold."
The Atlantic said that "Ratner seems desperate to find action, but there is none" in his quest to chronicle first ladyMelania Trump's life in the 20 days leading up to her husband's second inauguration in January 2025. Variety's film critic argued that "Melania," released in theaters Jan. 30, was "a piece of state-sanctioned propaganda out of 1960s Communist China."
And yet, the film still recorded a $7 million opening weekend, according to estimates Sunday, Feb. 1.
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Melania Trump is chic in black at movie's Kennedy Center premiere
Thenew "Melania" documentaryhad a splashy premiere at the Trump Kennedy Center in Washington on Jan. 29, 2026. See which celebrities and political figures walked the red carpet, starting with President Donald Trumpfirst lady Melania Trump.
Melania Trump documentary shocks at thebox office
The movie's blockbuster status may represent the gap that continues to exist between Hollywood andPresident Donald Trump'sgrasp on his MAGA fan base.
The film's first weekend success is reminiscent of Trump's two electoral victories in 2016 and 2024, showing the family can provide shock at both the ballot box and the box office.
'Melania' promised 'unprecedented access' into first lady's private world
Produced by the first lady, "Melania" represented a comeback of sorts forembattled director Ratner, accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women – including A-list actress Olivia Munn – in 2017.
An official description called "Melania" an open window into "the 20 days leading up to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration – through the eyes of the First Lady-elect herself," promising "unprecedented access" to moviegoers.
'Melania' Trump movie reviews arrive:What critics are saying
President Trump's own second term was a comeback of sorts for his family: He left office in 2021 after the events of Jan. 6, when rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, DC and several high-profile staff members left the former president's orbit. The Trumps retreated to Mar-A-Lago, the family's sprawling resort in West Palm Beach, Florida and lived their private lives.
Surrounded by a slew of new friends and an army of remaining longtime loyalists, Trump again ran for president, beatingVice President Kamala Harrisin November 2024. The first lady remained on the sidelines for most of the campaign, opting to focus on her only son, 19-year-old Barron.
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On Inauguration Day, the following February, she recaptured the public's imagination. Trump donned a matching dark navy blue coat and skirt with a dramatic matching brimmed hat that covered her eyes. She paired the ensemble with matching heels and gloves.
'Melania' surprises film industry with box office performance
Over the past year, she has curated her own appearances, bucking tradition for political spouses. Trump is a member of a small but mighty group of American political spouses tending to the role in their own right.
New York City first lady Rama Duwaji, U.S. second lady Usha Vance and California first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom have also taken their own approaches to media appearances and public outings.
The ultra-private first lady has appeared, though, atPope Francis' funeral, Fourth of July festivities, the White House Easter Egg Roll and alongside her husband at other prominent events of national importance. "Melania" is the most expensive documentary in history, bought by billionaire Jeff Bezos' Amazon MGM Studios for $40 million, with an alleged$35 million spent on marketing.
She also launched herown production company, Muse Films, before the movie's theatrical release. The film is slated to stream on Amazon's Prime Video service later this year.
Alongside President Trump on Thursday,she walked the red carpet at the Trump Kennedy Centerfor the film's DC premiere, wearing a black Dolce & Gabbana buttoned skirt suit and skinny companion belt while the president was uniformed in his standard navy-blue suit and burgundy tie.
Hollywood ousted Brett Ratner. Is'Melania' Trump movie his comeback?
Celebrities including Nicki Minaj, Dr. Phil, Daphne Oz and former New York City Mayor Eric Adams attended the fête. Then on Friday,the film opened in theaters. The release, surpassing early projection numbers, came in third ($7 million) over the weekend, lagging behind a pair of horror films – survival comedy/thriller "Send Help" ($20 million) and indie scary movie "Iron Lung" ($17.9 million).
OnRotten Tomatoes, industry insiders slammed "Melania" with an awful 11% Tomatometer score. But audience tabulation using the website's Popcornmeter remains at a 99% approval rating, and the film boasted an "A" from audience-led CinemaScore measurements.
The filmperformed best in Trump strongholdslike Florida and Texas. For a woman so shrouded in mystery of her own making, Trump seemingly always finds a way to surprise both fans and, yes, the critics.
Contributing: Anthony Robledo, Brian Truitt, Edward Segarra
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:What 'Melania' movie success means