Amazon’s $75 Million Melania Documentary Draws Scathing Reviews on Wide Release

Overview

• The film earned about $2.9 million on its first day in the U.S., with industry estimates pointing to as much as $8 million for the opening weekend domestically.
• Amazon MGM Studios paid roughly $40 million for rights and spent about $35 million on global marketing, a total far above typical documentary deals.
• Melania Trump is credited as a producer with editorial control, and reports indicate she personally received roughly $28 million to $30 million from the deal.
• A private White House screening drew Amazon leaders including CEO Andy Jassy, prompting ethics concerns from observers who say the arrangement looks like buying access.
• Critics overwhelmingly panned the film (around 11% on Rotten Tomatoes) even as audience scores were strong (CinemaScore A), with on-the-ground reports of sparse attendance in several cities and some international distribution setbacks.