An eagerly anticipated documentary about First Lady Melania Trump is set to open in theaters this week — but early buzz has been dominated by criticism, surprisingly low ticket sales and sharp media responses. The film, titled “Melania,” premiered at the Kennedy Center on January 29, 2026, ahead of its wide release on January 30, with a planned global theatrical run followed by streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Directed by Brett Ratner and co-produced by Melania Trump herself, the documentary chronicles the 20 days leading up to her husband Donald Trump’s 2025 presidential inauguration. The film was produced by Amazon MGM Studios in a deal reportedly worth $40 million, with an additional $35 million spent on marketing — making it one of the most expensive documentary releases in recent memory.
In a statement tied to the film’s premiere, Melania said the project offers a rare look inside her life and responsibilities as First Lady. She pitched the film as a chance to show “a private, unfiltered look” at her role as a businessperson, wife and mother during a high-profile transition.
Despite the high-profile launch and heavy investment, early ticket sales have sparked controversy and ridicule. On The Late Show, host Stephen Colbert noted screenshots of “zero tickets sold” at some early screenings and joked about underperformance. “Usually to see Trump bomb this hard, you’d have to be on a Venezuelan fishing boat,” he quipped, underscoring the host’s view that the documentary is failing to attract audiences even in major markets like New York City.
Critics and online commenters have also weighed in. Some review-bombing activity on platforms like Letterboxd suggests strong political backlash, with users posting dismissive ratings and comments before the film’s official release. Analysts note that partisanship and polarization could be shaping these early reactions, even if they don’t always reflect the film’s actual quality.
The documentary’s release comes at a politically charged time in the United States. Melania Trump remains a somewhat enigmatic public figure, and public opinion about her has varied widely, with some polls showing significant numbers of adults unsure or unfamiliar with her role. Critics argue the film may attempt to reshape her public image, while supporters see it as a historic glimpse into a First Lady’s personal perspective.
Whether “Melania” will recover at the box office or find an audience on streaming platforms remains unclear. What is certain is that the documentary has already become a cultural talking point — not just for its content, but for the polarized reactions it has sparked across media and public discourse.
