Melania Trump’s new documentary has stunned the film industry with a powerful opening at the box office, pulling in $7.04 million in its first weekend and becoming the biggest non-fiction debut in the past decade.
The film, titled Melania, far exceeded early expectations. Industry projections had placed its opening between $3 million and $5 million, but the documentary comfortably surpassed those estimates. In doing so, it also overtook the previous record held by After Death in 2023, which opened with $5 million.
The documentary premiered on Thursday, January 29, at the newly rebranded Kennedy Center before rolling out globally on Friday, January 30. It is supported by a reported $40 million distribution deal with Amazon MGM Studios, alongside a massive $35 million marketing campaign.
The film offers a carefully curated look into Melania Trump’s life during the weeks leading up to Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025. It highlights moments behind the scenes, personal reflections, and her role during a politically intense period in American history.
Melania also marks the return of director Brett Ratner, who had stepped away from filmmaking for several years following multiple sexual misconduct allegations that surfaced during the #MeToo movement. No criminal charges were filed against him.
The documentary’s strong debut has surprised box office analysts and reignited conversations about the commercial power of political documentaries, particularly those centered on polarising public figures.
