Melania Trump's non-documentary might end up a box office flop - but she won't mind

Amazon announced it had paid $40 million in a bidding war to acquire the rights to Melania Trump’s film that chronicles the first lady’s 20‑day run leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration. The deal also includes a reported $35 million marketing spend and $28 million given to Melania as her share. The movie, produced under Amazon Studios and directed by Brett Ratner, premiered on 30 January 2026 and is slated for about 1,500 theatres globally, including the UK. Critics argue the film may underperform at the box office, citing the historical poor performance of documentaries in cinemas and questions about the extent of Melania’s creative control. Despite the scepticism, the release has already sparked social media buzz from President Trump and fans alike.