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Melania’ Hits Prime Video After Costly, Polarizing Theatrical Run

Amazon’s reported $40 million licensing bet faces scrutiny after a $16.6 million box office.

Overview

  • The documentary began streaming on Prime Video on March 9 and ranked No. 1 on the service’s SVOD chart on Tuesday, Forbes reported.
  • Amazon skipped a premium video-on-demand window and put the film directly into the Prime catalog, aligning it with subscription and ad-based monetization.
  • Industry reports indicate Amazon paid about $40 million for rights, including a planned docuseries, and spent roughly $35 million on marketing against a worldwide gross near $16.6 million.
  • Reception was starkly divided, with Rotten Tomatoes showing an 11% critics’ score versus a 98% verified audience rating, and online debate over Melania Trump’s “record‑breaking” claim.
  • Directed by Brett Ratner, the film chronicles 20 days leading to the 2025 inauguration and faced exhibition flare-ups, including removals in South Africa and northwestern Oregon.