Additional Coverage:
- ‘Melania’ rakes in $7 million, making it one of the highest-grossing documentaries of the last few years (businessinsider.com)
Melania Trump Documentary Takes Box Office by Storm, Raking in Over $7 Million
A new documentary offering an intimate look at former First Lady Melania Trump’s life has become an unexpected box office hit, pulling in over $7 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend. “Melania: Twenty Days to History,” which premiered on January 30, chronicles the period leading up to President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration from Mrs. Trump’s unique vantage point.
According to data from The Numbers, a leading movie financial analysis website, the film is currently the highest-grossing documentary of 2026 by a significant margin. To put its success into perspective, the second-highest earner for the year so far, “Holding Liat,” has grossed approximately $28,000 as of Sunday. The film is already on track to rival some of the top documentaries of 2025, such as “Becoming Led Zeppelin,” which brought in around $10.4 million domestically.
Marc Beckman, Mrs. Trump’s senior advisor and agent, expressed his satisfaction with the film’s performance, stating, “It proves that an original idea which is executed with deliberate beauty is embraced by fans and moviegoers, regardless of political affiliation.”
Amazon MGM Studios secured the licensing rights for the documentary, along with an accompanying docuseries for Prime Video, in a deal reportedly worth $40 million. The film was directed by Brett Ratner, known for his work on the “Rush Hour” franchise.
An Amazon press release highlighted the documentary’s exclusive content, noting, “With exclusive footage of critical meetings, private conversations, and never-before-seen environments, ‘Melania’ showcases Mrs. Trump’s return to one of the world’s most powerful roles.”
While the box office numbers are impressive, the film has received mixed reviews from critics, with some describing it as “dull” despite its potential appeal to dedicated Trump supporters. It has also reportedly been “review-bombed” on platforms like Letterboxd.
Regardless of critical reception, the strong ticket sales indicate a significant interest in Mrs. Trump’s story among moviegoers.