Melania: A Box Office Triumph and Audience Favorite
The documentary film "Melania" exceeded expectations in its debut, achieving the highest ticket sales for a documentary in a decade and receiving positive reviews from audiences despite criticism from some critics. The movie, featuring and co-produced by first lady Melania Trump, surpassed its projected earnings, grossing $8.1 million over the weekend and earning a perfect "A" ranking from CinemaScore and a 99% audience rating from Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite receiving a low 11% rating from film critics who described it as "vapid" and "cheeseball infomercial," the documentary about Mrs. Trump's 20 days leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration resonated well with moviegoers. The film's success was attributed to a $35 million marketing budget and the endorsement of the president, although it faced opposition from anti-Trump groups hoping for its failure.
"Melania" attracted an audience primarily composed of older conservative women, with 72% of viewers being women and 72% over the age of 55. The film's performance was likened to that of a faith-based movie, drawing comparisons to the success of the 2023 documentary "After Death." With an $8 million opening weekend, "Melania" could become the highest-grossing documentary in over a decade, excluding concert films.
The documentary, which had its red-carpet premiere at the Trump-Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, marked a historic moment as the first documentary starring a sitting first lady and one of the most expensive documentaries ever made. Despite facing criticism from some quarters, the film's success at the box office and positive reception from audiences solidified its position as a noteworthy documentary in recent years.
Overall, "Melania" has defied expectations and emerged as a commercial success, resonating with its target audience and garnering praise from viewers. The film's strong opening weekend performance and positive audience feedback position it as a standout documentary in the current film landscape.