'Melania' Regine Mahaux/Amazon/MGM Studios Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment After a premiere in Washington D.C. packed with Trump acolytes, Amazon MGM political lightning rod documentary Melania is heading for about $8 million in wide release over its opening weekend. While that would be a great start for a political documentary, all bets are off on the comparisons to traditional docs given the context around this Brett Ratner-directed feature. For one, Amazon spent about $40 million to license the film in a deal widely seen as a move to cozy up to the White House. And that's before what sources have described as about $35 million in marketing costs. Related Stories Movies The 'Melania' Reviews Are Scathing: "Two Hours of Endless Hell" Movies 'Melania' Doc Premieres in D.C. as Director Brett Ratner Says $75 Million Price Tag "Wasn't About Corruption" Among politically charged docs that have opened wide, Michael Moore's 2004 Fahrenheit 9/11 still holds the record for a $23.9 million bow from 868 theaters on its way to $119.2 million, not adjusted for inflation. Melania, meanwhile, could benefit by promotion from the bully pulpit, as President Trump entreats his followers to see the film, while grassroots marketing campaigns from conservative groups are expected to send moviegoers to theaters in red states. It won't be helped by movie critics, however, as early reviews from major media outlets have been scathing. The film is opening opposite 20th Century's Rachel McAdams thriller Send Help, a Sam Raimi-directed title that may open to $16 million or $18 million domestically. In a twist, indie movie Iron Lung from Mark Fischbach is also tipped to open in that range, so it could be a close race. More to come. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Sundance Film Festival Reviews 'If I Go Will They Miss Me' Review: Lyrical Dreams and Bittersweet Reality Collide in a Moving, Gorgeously Imagined Father-Son Drama Melania The 'Melania' Reviews Are Scathing: "Two Hours of Endless Hell" Melania Trump 'Melania' Review: Brett Ratner's Melania Trump Documentary Is an Unabashed, Fly-on-the-Gilded-Wall Fawn Job Sundance Film Festival reviews 'Frank & Louis'<em> </em>Review: Kingsley Ben-Adir and Rob Morgan Bring Transcendent Grace to Prison Drama About Dignity and Compassion sundance 2026 Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan-Starrer 'Josephine' Wins Two Top Awards at Sundance Sinners The Oscars Are Giving Serious '70s Vibes Sundance Film Festival Reviews 'If I Go Will They Miss Me' Review: Lyrical Dreams and Bittersweet Reality Collide in a Moving, Gorgeously Imagined Father-Son Drama Melania The 'Melania' Reviews Are Scathing: "Two Hours of Endless Hell" Melania Trump 'Melania' Review: Brett Ratner's Melania Trump Documentary Is an Unabashed, Fly-on-the-Gilded-Wall Fawn Job Sundance Film Festival reviews 'Frank & Louis'<em> </em>Review: Kingsley Ben-Adir and Rob Morgan Bring Transcendent Grace to Prison Drama About Dignity and Compassion sundance 2026 Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan-Starrer 'Josephine' Wins Two Top Awards at Sundance Sinners The Oscars Are Giving Serious '70s Vibes