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Melania’ Drops 67% to $2.37 Million in Second Weekend as Amazon MGM Stands by Release Plan

The studio is wagering that a $75 million bet will convert theatrical attention into Prime Video viewing.

Overview

  • The documentary earned an estimated $2.37 million in North America over Super Bowl weekend, placing tenth and lifting its domestic total to about $13.35 million, according to Amazon MGM figures.
  • The decline came despite an expansion to roughly 2,003 theaters after a stronger-than-expected $7 million debut from 1,778 locations a week earlier.
  • Amazon MGM said the theatrical run is the first step in a two-phase strategy to drive viewership for an eventual Prime Video debut and a companion docuseries; no streaming date has been announced.
  • The film’s reported costs include about $40 million for rights and roughly $35 million for marketing, with the studio indicating it expects to recoup further through advertising and Prime subscriptions rather than theatrical grosses alone.
  • Reception remains sharply split, with an 8% critics score versus a 99% verified audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A from CinemaScore, while a watchdog group reports complaints that some service members were pressured to attend and the Pentagon says no directive requires viewings.