How Much Money Has Melania Trump Documentary Made In Theaters So Far?

Forbes Business

by Tim Lammers, Contributor

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The documentary *Melania*, directed by Brett Ratner and focusing on former First Lady Melania Trump, has made a significant yet underwhelming impact at the box office since its release in late January 2026. Opening to $7.1 million in its first weekend across 1,778 theaters, the film secured a No. 3 spot but saw sharp drops in ticket sales as it expanded its reach. By its second weekend, it earned just $2.3 million from 2,003 venues, marking a 67% decline and placing it at No. 10. Further weekends saw even steeper drops, with earnings falling to $893,000 in its third weekend and $212,000 in its fourth. Through mid-February, the film had accumulated $16.2 million domestically, plus an additional $187,000 internationally, bringing its total to approximately $16.3 million. The production and marketing costs for *Melania* were substantial, with Variety reporting a $40 million budget from Amazon MGM Studios. This figure includes not only the documentary but also an upcoming Prime Video docuseries. Marketing expenses alone totaled $35 million, leaving questions about how much of that budget was allocated to the theatrical release versus the series. Despite its relatively strong opening weekend, the film’s earnings have failed to meet expectations for profitability in theaters, as roughly half of ticket sales typically go to theater owners. The financial performance of *Melania* highlights challenges faced by high-profile documentaries aiming for theatrical releases. While the film achieved a notable opening weekend and garnered significant marketing attention, its steep box office decline underscores the difficulty of maintaining audience interest over multiple weekends. This trajectory raises questions about the viability of such films as standalone business ventures in an increasingly competitive media landscape. For businesses and investors, *Melania* serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with expensive production and marketing campaigns for films targeting niche audiences. The film’s inability to sustain box office momentum despite its high-profile subject matter and promotional push demonstrates the challenges of balancing artistic vision with commercial viability in the entertainment industry.

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Originally published on Forbes Business on 2/25/2026