Melania Doc Stuns Hollywood with $7 Million Opening Weekend Surprise

CANADA WIRE • 1 February 2026

By the Canada Wire Editorial Desk

In a plot twist worthy of its subject, the controversial Amazon documentary “Melania” has outperformed dismal forecasts, earning an estimated $7 million (USD) at the domestic box office during its opening weekend. The strong debut, which places it among the top documentary openings of the past decade, has left critics and industry prognosticators reassessing the drawing power of the former First Lady.

The Box Office Upset

Despite a wave of negative pre-release buzz and reports of “soft” advance sales, particularly in international markets like the UK, “Melania” opened to a better-than-expected $7.04 million in North American theatres from 30 January to 1 February 2026. Early projections had suggested a weak start, with some analysts predicting the film would “come nowhere near” recouping its massive budget. Instead, it secured third place for the weekend, behind the horror film “Iron Lung” and the thriller “Send Help.”

Note: $7 million USD is approximately $9.4 million CAD.

A Record-Breaking Gamble

The film’s financial performance must be viewed through the lens of its unprecedented scale. According to industry reports, Amazon MGM Studios paid a staggering $40 million for the world rights to the Brett Ratner-directed documentary, plus an additional $35 million for a lavish marketing campaign. This $75 million total investment makes “Melania” the most expensive documentary ever produced.

The film’s subject, Melania Trump, is reported to have earned $28 million from the project, a figure that has raised eyebrows regarding the film’s budget and Amazon’s motives for the high-profile acquisition.

Critics Pan, Audiences Split

As the box office numbers rolled in, the critical reception remained firmly in the negative. Described by some reviewers as “vapid,” the documentary was widely panned. However, its commercial performance suggests it found an audience, albeit a divided one. Several news outlets noted that ticket sales reflected a “familiar red/blue divide in America,” with President Donald Trump’s promotion of the film as “a must watch” likely galvanizing his base.

Public opinion, as seen in online forums, remains sharply polarized. Some commentators have framed mocking the film as “an act of patriotism,” while others see its mere existence as a curiosity driven by Mrs. Trump’s famously private nature.

What’s Next for ‘Melania’?

While a $7 million opening is a success by documentary standards, the path to profitability remains steep. The film needs to earn back its $75 million price tag, a feat no documentary has ever accomplished. All eyes will now be on its second-weekend hold and international performance to see if this initial surprise can be sustained or if it will fade quickly.

The result is a clear win for Amazon MGM’s theatrical division in terms of headlines and industry chatter, even if the ultimate financial return is still very much in question.