00:00Melania Trump's documentary Melania, released by Amazon MGM, opened with modest box office results
00:05after debuting in late January. The film focuses on the final weeks leading up to President Donald
00:10Trump's return to office and traces Melania Trump's path to becoming a two-time first lady.
00:14Industry reports estimate Amazon acquired distribution rights for about $40 million,
00:19with plans to move the film to prime video following its theatrical run. During its opening
00:23weekend, Melania earned roughly $7 million across about 1,700 theaters, placing third
00:29at the domestic box office. The release also faced limited international distribution,
00:34with screenings reportedly withdrawn in some markets, including locations in South Africa
00:38and parts of the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The rollout drew comparisons to former first lady
00:42Michelle Obama's now 2020 documentary Becoming, which followed her book tour and quickly became
00:47one of Netflix's most-watched releases during its launch window. Becoming also generated sustained
00:52public engagement beyond political audiences and re-entered trending charts on streaming
00:56platforms around the time of Melania's debut. Observers noted visual similarities between the
01:01promotional posters of the two films, including profile-style portraits and minimalist backgrounds.
01:05However, neither production company has publicly addressed the comparisons. Online conversation
01:10intensified when some streaming users reported that Becoming temporarily appeared under an incorrect
01:14content category on certain platform interfaces. Streaming companies did not confirm any
01:19intentional changes, and some users later reported the listing was corrected. President Trump publicly
01:23praised the documentary's performance during remarks at the White House, calling it a
01:27success, while noting he had hosted a special screening at a Washington cultural venue. Box office
01:31tracking data indicates the film maintained moderate attendance levels during its initial release
01:36period. Media analysts say documentaries tied to political figures often generate polarized online
01:40reactions while drawing varied commercial outcomes depending on timing, distribution scale,
01:45and audience reach. Both Melania and Becoming remain part of a broader trend of political
01:50documentaries focused on personal narratives of high-profile public figures, with streaming
01:54platforms continuing to invest heavily in the genre. For verified updates on political media
01:58releases, distribution data, and official viewership metrics, follow confirmed industry reports and
02:03primary announcements from studios and streaming platforms.
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