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Melania’ Opens to $7 Million, One of the Biggest Documentary Debuts in Years

The outsize launch contrasts with scathing reviews, spotlighting Amazon’s roughly $75 million commitment.

Overview

  • Studio estimates put the domestic opening at about $7 million, ranking third for the weekend and marking the strongest non-music documentary debut in over a decade.
  • Critical reception is overwhelmingly negative—around 10% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7 on Metacritic—while verified audience measures show a 99% Rotten Tomatoes score and an A CinemaScore.
  • IMDB user ratings have plunged to roughly 1.3/10, placing the film among the site’s lowest-rated titles despite strong exit polling from theatergoers.
  • Amazon MGM reportedly paid about $40 million for the film and spent roughly $35 million on marketing, with industry voices saying the outlay is unlikely to be recouped in theaters and framing it as a strategic or political bet.
  • Attendance skewed older and female with strongest turnout reported in states like Florida and Texas, as questions persist over regional concentration, possible group purchases, and front-loaded demand; a Prime Video window is planned but not dated.