Amazon goes to bat for his or her newest divisive documentary.
Amazon MGM distribution chief Kevin Wilson has come out in protection of Melania, the studio’s Melania Trump documentary, particularly with regards to its field workplace efficiency. Touting a price range of $40 million, the documentary concerning the First Girl has skilled a pointy field workplace decline, dropping off by 67% in its second weekend.
Nevertheless, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed Wilson put out a press release on Saturday, February 7, forward of Melania‘s field workplace tumble, touting the movie as a hit. Particularly, he cited the $7.2 million opening weekend as a serious win forward of the film’s eventual streaming debut on Prime Video. Take a look at what Wilson mentioned beneath:
Melania’s robust theatrical efficiency is a crucial first second that validates our holistic distribution technique, constructing consciousness, engagement and gives momentum forward of the movie’s eventual debut on Prime Video.
Collectively, theatrical and streaming signify two distinct worth creating moments that amplify the movie’s total affect. Viewers response is already validating this method, with exit knowledge displaying robust intent to rewatch on Prime Video and significant curiosity within the forthcoming docuseries. That curiosity is additional amplified by the theatrical advertising halo we persistently see drive elevated consciousness and viewership as soon as movies launch on Prime Video, reinforcing long-term worth throughout the film’s whole lifecycle.
The Melania documentary focuses on the First Girl within the first 20 days of January 2025, main as much as Donald Trump’s inauguration as President of the US. It is the primary film directed by Brett Ratner following six girls accusing him of sexual assault in 2017. It is also the most costly documentary Amazon has ever produced.
The movie has been acquired poorly by critics, with most evaluations for Melania being detrimental. As of writing, the documentary holds a ten% ranking from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Nevertheless, audiences scored it a Verified Sizzling 99% on the location. That is regardless of the extraordinary field workplace dropoff and its fairly paltry $9.5 million field workplace complete as of writing.
Melania is anticipated to reach as a Prime Video authentic sooner or later within the close to future, seemingly as soon as its theatrical run has been accomplished. The film can be the primary entry in a two-part challenge, the opposite being a docuseries that shall be launched on streaming at a later, undisclosed date.
The event of Melania deeply concerned the First Girl, who maintained editorial management over the film. This resulted in lots of critics calling the documentary akin to pro-Trump propaganda, therefore its low rating. Nevertheless, it appears to have resonated with pro-Trump viewers members, even when it did not make a lot on the field workplace.
Wilson’s statements seemingly stem from its eventual house launch, coupled with the way it can prop up the forthcoming docuseries it is connected to. After coming in at Quantity 10 on the home field workplace this previous weekend, it looks as if Melania‘s greatest hope is when it lastly arrives on streaming.
- Launch Date
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January 30, 2026
- Runtime
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104 minutes
- Director
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Brett Ratner
- Producers
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Fernando Sulichin, Brett Ratner, Melania Trump, Marc Beckman
Solid
