The new documentary “Melania,” directed by Brett Ratner and released by Amazon MGM Studios on January 30, 2026, pulls back the curtain on First Lady Melania Trump’s preparations during the 20 days before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025. Filmed with exclusive access to meetings, fittings, and private moments at Mar-a-Lago and Trump Tower, the movie portrays her as a poised figure overseeing inauguration details, from wardrobe choices to speech advice for her husband.
She emerges as someone deeply involved in the process, emphasizing themes of family, philanthropy, and national service. Despite its straightforward approach, the film has sparked a firestorm, with box office numbers telling one story and critic reactions another.
Opening weekend ticket sales reached an estimated $8 million in North America, marking the strongest debut for a non-concert documentary in over a decade. That’s ahead of expectations and even outperformed new releases like Jason Statham’s action thriller “Shelter.”
Audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from verified viewers, many praising it as an elegant glimpse into the hard work behind the glamour. Comments highlight her commitment to children in need and the return of class to the White House, reflecting a public eager for this kind of unfiltered look.
Yet, “professional” critics have savaged the film, slapping it with a dismal 6-11% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Outlets like The Guardian dismissed it as “gilded trash” and a “remake of The Zone of Interest,” implying it’s devoid of substance and reeks of propaganda. The New York Times called it “stage-managed” and impersonal, noting how it keeps viewers at arm’s length from truly understanding its subject. CNN described it as a “coffee table book” – pretty but empty – while The Hollywood Reporter labeled it an “unabashed fawn job.” One reviewer even quipped it was “two hours of endless hell,” and another compared it unfavorably to Leni Riefenstahl’s work, evoking Nazi-era filmmaking.
This stark divide isn’t coincidental. Hollywood’s elite reviewers, often embedded in left-leaning circles, seem quick to torpedo anything tied to the Trumps. The film’s acquisition by Amazon for a reported $40-75 million has fueled speculation about backroom deals, with some questioning if the high price tag was a subtle nod to the administration rather than pure market value.
Critics from mainstream sources appear to echo a coordinated disdain, ignoring the documentary’s focus on Melania’s immigrant roots, her love for her late mother, and her hands-on role in modernizing the first lady’s duties beyond mere social events. Instead, they fixate on perceived flaws, like its lack of outside voices or emotional depth, as if that’s not the point of an intimate chronicle.
On the flip side, voices from outlets like Fox News and Breitbart point out the hypocrisy. They celebrate the audience score as proof of real-world appeal, arguing that the low critic rating exposes a bias against conservative figures.
Breitbart called it a humiliation for the media, noting how predictions of a flop crumbled under strong turnout, especially in the South and Midwest. Daily Wire emphasized that passionate viewers can overpower snobbish consensus, with fans describing it as a “movement” more than just a movie. Even the director credits Melania for the success, highlighting her as the driving force behind this unprecedented project.
Social media buzz on X reinforces this split, with users questioning if Rotten Tomatoes gives fair shakes to Trump-related content, citing polarized scores as evidence of deeper prejudice. Some posts mock the empty theaters in liberal areas, while others hail it as a record-breaker that the left couldn’t kill. The film’s narrator – Melania herself – delivers lines with a wisdom that prioritizes family and country, subtly nodding to values like resilience in the face of adversity.
What this reception really exposes is Hollywood’s entrenched leanings. When a film dares to humanize someone like Melania without the usual snark or scandal-mongering, the knives come out. It’s as if the industry can’t stomach a positive portrayal of a woman who stands by her principles, opting instead for venom that borders on the conspiratorial – perhaps to protect their own echo chambers or curry favor with progressive power brokers.
The massive marketing push by Amazon, including a lavish premiere at the renamed Trump-Kennedy Center, only amplifies suspicions of ulterior motives in the entertainment world.
In the end, “Melania” succeeds where it matters: with everyday people who appreciate seeing the effort behind the elegance. It reminds us that true judgment of movies comes from the public, not a cadre of elite critics who might as well be on retainer for the opposition. As the box office climbs and word-of-mouth spreads, this documentary stands as a testament to ignoring the noise and focusing on substance – a lesson that resonates far beyond the screen.
