Amazon MGM Faces Massive Loss as Melania Trump Documentary Struggles at Box Office
The controversial documentary titled "Melania" opened in theaters on January 30, the film generated approximately $8 million in ticket sales over its first weekend, this figure represents a significant financial disappointment for Amazon MGM Studios given their record-breaking $75 million total investment in the project.
Historical Precedents for First Ladies Shift with New Film Release
Recent documentaries and media projects involving First Ladies typically occur after their time in office, figures like Michelle Obama and Laura Bush waited until post-presidency to release memoirs or films, this tradition helps avoid conflicts of interest between public service and private profit. Melania Trump serves as a paid executive producer on this current project, this decision departs from established norms regarding financial involvement during an active political term, the film also marks the return of director Brett Ratner following his exclusion from Hollywood due to past misconduct allegations.
Studio Reports Record Spending and Polarized Reception for Opening Weekend
Amazon MGM Studios invested heavily in the project, the company paid a record-breaking $40 million for distribution rights, they allocated another $35 million for marketing efforts, this brought the total financial commitment to $75 million. The film covers the 20 days before the January 2025 inauguration, it features scripted voice-overs and scenes of the First Lady reacting to global events, critics panned the content as propaganda while supporters praised the exclusive access.
Financial Performance and Critical Divide
Ticket sales reached an estimated $8.1 million during the debut weekend, this figure broke records for documentary openings yet fell far short of profitability, the studio now faces projected losses of up to $70 million. Reviews highlight a sharp divide in reception, professional critics gave the film a low 11% rating, everyday viewers awarded it high marks on audience polling sites, this contrast mirrors broader political divisions in the country.
Industry Analysts Predict Shifts in Political Documentary Strategy
Major studios will likely reconsider investing in high-budget political biographies, the substantial financial loss demonstrates that strong support from a specific political base does not guarantee mainstream commercial success, executives may avoid similar projects in the future. The film challenges ethical boundaries regarding paid involvement by public figures, critics argue this blurs the line between journalism and branding, Amazon MGM reportedly plans to move the title to streaming platforms soon to attempt to recoup some of the investment.
The film will arrive on Prime Video within the next month, industry observers will watch closely to see if streaming numbers can offset the theatrical losses, the debate over the ethics of the production continues.
