The High Cost Melania Trump Documentary – Can Amazon Make Its Money Back

This weekend marks a big test for Melania Trump as her new documentary makes its way into movie theaters across the country. The film focuses on the final twenty days before the 2025 presidential inauguration and offers a behind-the-scenes look at her return to the White House. It is opening in more than 1,500 theaters, which is an unusually wide release for a documentary.

Industry analysts say this kind of rollout is rare because documentaries usually do not attract large theatrical crowds. According to early box office tracking shared by insiders, opening weekend estimates first landed between one and two million dollars. Those numbers have recently increased, with some projections now suggesting the film could open closer to five million.

The bigger story is how much money was spent to make this release happen. Reports from entertainment trade outlets say Amazon MGM Studios paid around forty million dollars for the rights to the documentary. On top of that, the studio is believed to have spent another thirty-five million on marketing and promotion.

That level of spending has raised eyebrows in Hollywood. A seventy-five-million-dollar investment for a film that might earn only a fraction of that in theaters is seen as a major risk. Several industry sources have said that even a five-million-dollar opening weekend might be a generous estimate.

One challenge is that many viewers already know the documentary will be available on Prime Video soon. Streaming is where documentaries about public figures usually perform best. Because of that, some audiences may decide to skip theaters and wait a few weeks to watch it at home.

The timing of the release also adds pressure. Big thrillers and horror films are opening the same weekend, and those genres often dominate ticket sales. Early reports suggest ticket demand is mixed, with stronger interest in conservative regions and softer sales in major urban markets.

The documentary was directed by Brett Ratner, and it marks his return to filmmaking after several quiet years. His involvement has drawn attention, especially since he has not released a major project in a long time.

Donald Trump has helped promote the film heavily on social media. In recent posts, he encouraged supporters to buy tickets, calling the documentary a MUST WATCH and saying tickets were selling FAST. Whether that enthusiasm leads to strong second-week sales is still unclear.

Melania Trump has also stayed in the spotlight outside of the movie. In January 2026, she rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. She has also hosted several private screenings of the documentary, including a VIP event at the White House attended by business leaders and public figures.

She has hinted at future plans as well. Melania recently teased a new initiative called Fostering the Future for American Children and Families. The move suggests she plans to stay active and visible during her second term as First Lady.

For Ratner, this project could open doors. According to industry chatter, he is hoping the documentary helps him move forward with long-discussed plans for Rush Hour 4. A successful release, even on streaming, could help rebuild momentum for his career.

The film includes exclusive footage of the Trump family and personal moments not previously seen by the public. After its theatrical run, it is expected to arrive on Amazon Prime by the end of February.

Do you think this film can succeed in theaters, or would you rather wait to watch it on streaming? Share your thoughts in the comments.