Tue Mar 10 00:50:00 UTC 2026: Headline: Melania Trump Documentary Vanishes from Box Office Charts After Initial Success

The Story:
Melania Trump’s documentary, “Melania,” has disappeared from domestic box office charts just a month after its release on January 30, 2026. Despite an opening weekend gross of approximately $7 million, which was initially hailed as a success, the film failed to maintain momentum. The documentary, an Amazon-MGM production acquired for $40 million with an additional $35 million spent on marketing, is no longer listed among the top 38 films domestically, according to IMDb. Its international performance was similarly weak, with the film being pulled from South Africa before release and performing poorly in the United Kingdom.

The film’s struggles have been compounded by controversy, including the director Brett Ratner’s appearance in the Epstein files, criticism from its own crew, allegations of unauthorized music usage, and vandalism of promotional posters. While critics’ ratings on Rotten Tomatoes are low at 11 percent, audience approval stands at 98 percent, though the film was also review-bombed on Letterboxd. The film grossed roughly $16.2 million domestically and nearly $187,000 internationally during its theatrical run.

Key Points:

  • “Melania” documentary vanished from box office charts one month after its January 30, 2026 release.
  • Opening weekend grossed approximately $7 million, exceeding initial projections.
  • Amazon-MGM acquired the film for $40 million and spent $35 million on marketing.
  • Domestic gross reached approximately $16.2 million, with nearly $187,000 internationally.
  • Controversies include the director’s connection to the Epstein files, crew criticism, music rights issues, and vandalism.
  • Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score is 11 percent, while audience approval is 98 percent.

Key Takeaways:

  • Initial box office success does not guarantee long-term performance, especially when a film is plagued by controversy.
  • The large marketing spend did not translate into sustained audience interest.
  • The significant disparity between critics’ and audience scores suggests a highly polarized reception.
  • International markets proved challenging, further impacting overall revenue.
  • The film’s availability on Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical run may provide a second chance for viewership.

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