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First lady Melania Trump's new documentary earned $7.04 million during its opening weekend at the box office
Melania's opening weekend made up for only a fraction of the film's budget, which sold to Amazon MGM Studios for $40 million and received a $35 million marketing push
The documentary premiered on Jan. 29 at the newly rebranded Kennedy Center ahead of its global theatrical release a day later
Melania Trump's big-budget documentary,Melania, earned $7.04 million at the opening weekend box office.
The film's box office total marks the biggest opening for a non-fiction film in the last decade,Deadlinereported. The previous record holder was 2023'sAfter Death,which had a $5 million opening, per the outlet.
Pre-release estimates for the film eyed a $3 million to $5 million debut, according toVariety.
Melaniapremiered at the newly rebranded Kennedy Center on Thursday, Jan. 29, ahead of its global theatrical release on Friday, Jan. 30.
The film, backed by a $40 million deal with Amazon MGM Studios and a $35 million marketing campaign, shows selective glimpses of the first lady's life in the weeks leading up to PresidentDonald Trump's second inauguration in January 2025.
The project marks directorBrett Ratner's return to the big screen after being accused by six different women, including actressOlivia Munn, of sexual misconduct during the #MeToo movement, however no criminal charges were filed against him.
The first lady, 55, who also served as an executive producer on the documentary, held a private first viewing ofMelaniaat the White House on Saturday, Jan. 24 — while protests were unfolding in Minneapolis in response tothe fatal shooting of Alex Prettiby Border Patrol — calling the friends and family film screening "a historic moment."
"I am deeply humbled to have been surrounded by an inspiring room of friends, family, and cultural iconoclasts at the White House last night. Each of these individuals brought their unique vision to the world, making a lasting impression," she wrote in a Jan. 25 post onX.
"Our personal stories endure time and serve as a reminder of our mutual obligation to one another. It was an honor to present my new film,MELANIA, ahead of its global launch," she added.
Ahead of the official release, the film's opening weekend projections were set to be a fraction of the film's budget, with market research company National Research Group having projected a $5 million opening weekend, according toPuck.
Boxoffice Propredicted an even smaller opening weekend, anticipating between $1 million and $2 million.
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This could be just the beginning for the first lady playing a large role in a Hollywood film.
In November, during a 10-second video posted to herX account, the first lady shared that she had launched a new production company called Muse Films.
Marc Beckman, the first lady's senior adviser and agent, tells PEOPLE that Muse Films will continue producing lifestyle content for film and television after the rollout ofMelania, focusing on lifestyle themes that cater to female audiences.
"Think fashion, art, music, sports and entertainment," Beckman says, plus "areas like technology, family, health and wellness."
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