Melania has become one of the most talked-about films of the year so far. The documentary promises to provide never-before-seen insight into the first lady’s life. The film is set to hit theatres on January 30, 2026. But what does it have in store for the audience? Let’s find out.
As the title suggests, the 1-hour, 44-minute documentary revolves around Melania Trump. The movie will depict her life during the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s second inauguration as the president in January 2025.
The production was filmed on real locations, with cameras following Melania as she geared up for her return to the White House. Apart from the first lady, the film is also going to feature her loved ones, including her son Barron and her father Viktor Knavs.
MELANIA, the film, exclusively in theaters worldwide on January 30th, 2026. pic.twitter.com/n2kloQ4JwW
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) December 17, 2025
Those hoping to see other members of the Trump family are in for a disappointment, as Melania’s stepchildren are reportedly not part of the film. Nevertheless, there is still a lot to look forward to for the first lady’s fans.
From addressing her relationship with Trump to footage of critical meetings and private conversations, the documentary has it all. But per the Rolling Stone, crew members have warned that the film might not be as unfiltered as claimed, as the first lady never lets her guard down in front of the cameras.
Regarding the financial aspect of the project, Amazon MGM Studios acquired rights to the film for $40 million after a bidding war. Around $28 million of the amount went directly to Melania.
It is reportedly the most expensive deal in the history of documentary films. But Amazon did not stop there. The studio spent an additional $35 million on promotions, taking the total budget to $75 million.
Some experts have claimed that the deal was Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ way of cozying up to the president. However, the studio has denied such claims.
Looking at the current ticket sales of the documentary, Amazon might end up regretting the deal in the end. Despite all the hype around it, the public does not seem much interested in watching it in theaters.
According to box office experts, the movie might earn between $2 million and $5 million in its opening weekend. The amount is fairly low for a project worth $75 million.
But Melania and Trump seem rather hopeful. They have already organized a private screening of the film at the White House for their close friends and allies.
We’ll see how long it takes before the Academy is blackmailed into giving this pointless film an Oscar.#MELANIA pic.twitter.com/KMVxIU6rvn
— M55 🇩🇪 🤝🇪🇺🤝🇺🇦 🤝 🇬🇱 🤝 🇩🇰 (@Oceandiverxxxx) January 26, 2026
On Thursday, a larger audience, including ministers and MAGA enthusiasts, will watch the movie during its grand premiere at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. In addition to the capital, the premiere will also be held simultaneously in 20 other cities.
While the Trumps are celebrating the film, a controversy has already arisen, with people questioning its release amid unrest in the country. Critics have pointed out that the film is coming out at a time when ICE agents are shooting people on the streets of Minneapolis.
Another reason for controversy is the movie’s director, Brett Ratner. The filmmaker was ousted from Hollywood in 2017 after multiple women accused him of s—– misconduct. He is now making his comeback with Melania after eight years.
Amid the controversies and curiosity, only time will tell whether Melania can attract people to the theaters and become a box-office success for Amazon.
