'Melania': Controversial documentary to hit Prime Video on March 9
What's the story
Melania, which chronicles the life of US First Lady Melania Trump during the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration, is heading to OTT. The documentary will be available on Amazon Prime Video starting March 9. Directed by Brett Ratner, known for the Rush Hour trilogy, this is his first directorial project since multiple allegations of sexual misconduct were leveled against him in 2017.
Box office performance
Amazon acquired 'Melania' for $75 million
Despite scathing reviews, Melania performed better than expected at the box office. It opened with $7 million in its first weekend and grossed $16.6 million overall, primarily attracting an older white female audience, according to Variety. Amazon MGM Studios acquired the rights to Melania for a whopping $75 million, marking a significant payday for the Trump family.
Audience reception
But it did well with the audience
Despite the critical backlash, the Melania documentary fared well among its intended audience. The Rotten Tomatoes "Popcornmeter," which reflects the sentiments of verified ticket buyers, gave Melania a high score of 98%. The project reportedly cost $40 million to produce and another $35 million for marketing. Ratner earlier told Deadline, "We spent more money on music in this than I did on Rush Hour. I mean, top of the line, three best cinematographers in the world."