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Melania’ Opens to $7 Million as Amazon Banks on Streaming Payoff

The studio is betting a long Prime Video lifecycle will justify a reported $75 million investment.

Overview

  • Opening weekend domestic gross reached about $7 million from 1,778 theaters, outperforming projections and placing third behind Send Help and Iron Lung.
  • Audiences graded the film an A in CinemaScore exit polls, while professional reviews were overwhelmingly negative with single‑digit approval on Rotten Tomatoes.
  • Turnout skewed older and female with strongest sales in conservative markets such as Dallas, Orlando, Tampa, Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta and West Palm Beach.
  • Amazon MGM paid $40 million for rights and spent roughly $35 million on marketing, and executives say streaming, licensing and a planned docuseries are central to the return.
  • Controversy over director Brett Ratner’s past misconduct allegations and newly circulated Epstein‑linked photos compounded international softness, with weak U.K. sales and South Africa’s Filmfinity canceling its release.