'Flopped' Melania Documentary Debuts With a Score of 7% on Rotten Tomatoes

Amazon MGM Studios' controversial documentary about first lady Melania Trump has opened to near-universal critical disdain, reflected in a 7% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, titled Melania, premiered in theatres on Jan. 30, 2026, and immediately drew scrutiny from reviewers worldwide.

Critics Slam Film as Shallow and Propagandistic

In the first wave of reviews, professional critics sharply criticised Melania for its tone, narrative approach and perceived lack of investigative substance. Several reviewers noted the film's polished visuals but argued it failed to shed meaningful light on its subject, instead presenting a meticulously controlled and flattering portrayal of Melania Trump that borders on public relations material rather than cinema journalism.

Film critics compared the film's lack of critical depth to promotional content, dismissing its storytelling as superficial. Commentators said the documentary often felt staged and overly 'curated', offering little beyond contemplative scenes of the first lady moving between formal engagements without deeper inquiry. The backlash took place despite limited access provided to critics; no advance press screeners were distributed, meaning journalists had to purchase tickets to view the film themselves.

Amazon's Massive Investment Amid Political Backdrop

Melania marks one of the most expensive documentary productions in recent history, with Amazon MGM Studios paying £29 million ($40 million) for distribution rights and investing a further £25.5 million ($35 million) in marketing ahead of its theatrical and eventual Prime Video rollout. The £55 million ($75 million) investment prompted accusations that the film serves not merely as art but as a political instrument designed to burnish the public image of the first lady and the Trump presidency.

Director Brett Ratner, whose involvement has reignited attention due to past sexual misconduct allegations, which he has denied, defended the expenditure. Ratner said the production values were justified by the scale of the project and that the film's price tag was not intended to curry favour with political allies.

The documentary follows Melania Trump, who also served as an executive producer, through 20 days leading up to the inauguration of her husband Donald Trump's second presidential term in January 2025, featuring behind-the-scenes sequences of transition planning, private moments and official events.

Controversy, Vandalism and Backlash Before and After Release

Even before its premiere, Melania faced resistance and controversy. Advertising across Los Angeles was defaced with politically charged graffiti, prompting transit authorities to relocate bus ads amid concerns over widespread vandalism. Critics of the film linked the defacement to broader perceptions of the documentary as propaganda, particularly given its release during heightened national political tensions.

The film's South African distributor pulled it from release days before its scheduled opening, citing unspecified 'recent developments', a move highlighting international sensitivities surrounding the Trump administration and the film's subject. In the United States, reactions split sharply along political and cultural lines. President Donald Trump promoted the documentary enthusiastically, attending premiere events and publicly endorsing the film, while others criticised its timing, including a White House screening amid national crises such as immigration enforcement operations that resulted in fatalities.

Despite the critics' harsh reception, Rotten Tomatoes shows a near-universal audience score of 99% from over 100 verified ratings, a yawning gap rarely seen on the platform. This divergence highlights a broader debate over the meaning of ratings in politically charged media releases, with some analysts attributing the disparity to self-selecting audiences and others questioning the validity of quickly amassed reviews that may not reflect wide viewership or traditional critique.

Box office performance in early showings also signalled limited public interest, with analysis showing numerous empty theatres during initial screenings and modest ticket sales relative to the film's extensive rollout.

Despite unprecedented access to the first lady's life and a massive promotional campaign, Melania has opened to universal criticism from professional reviewers. The film's legacy, both as a cultural artefact and a political statement, is likely to outlive its box office tally.