All articles tagged with #brett ratner
Amazon-MGM’s Melania, a Brett Ratner–directed documentary about the former first lady, opened to about $7 million and grossed roughly $16.6 million worldwide, far short of its $75 million budget; after a steep U.S. drop and weak international performance, Amazon plans to recoup costs when it streams on Prime Video starting March 9, via advertising and Prime signups.
A high-budget Amazon-MGM documentary about Melania Trump opened around $7 million in theaters but faltered, with a reported budget of about $75 million and worldwide gross of $16.6 million (international $291k; UK roughly £33k). After a steep drop and eventual disappearance from theaters, the studio plans to recoup costs by streaming on Prime Video starting March 9, via ads and Prime subs, following its Kennedy Center premiere.
Melania's documentary sunk further in its third weekend, dropping 62.3% and heading toward roughly $15.4 million total after Amazon's $75 million investment (purchase plus marketing). Opened with about $7.1 million; Amazon says streaming on Prime Video will help recoup costs, though no streaming date has been announced. The film, directed by Brett Ratner and tied to controversy, has also faced music-rights disputes that its camp says were resolved with proper rights and payments.
Amazon MGM defends Melania, a high-cost documentary about the former first lady, as it braves a likely steep second-weekend drop with a potential top-10 finish. The film opened to about $7.2 million (described as the biggest doc launch in a decade) and has roughly $11.8 million domestic through Friday, with a streaming date and international grosses still TBD. The studio emphasizes a long-term, dual theatrical/streaming strategy and pushes back on controversy over its Rotten Tomatoes audience score, noting that theatrical/marketing investments aim to boost awareness and future Prime Video momentum.
Amazon MGM Studios’ Melania opened to about $7 million in its first weekend across 1,778 theaters, the best opening for a documentary in 14 years outside concert films, despite largely negative reviews. The film cost about $75 million (roughly $40 million for rights plus marketing), and will stream on Prime Video after its theatrical run, with audiences skewing older, female and white and strongest in the South.
The Melania Trump documentary opened to an estimated $7 million in 1,778 theaters, the best opening for a documentary (outside concert films) in 14 years, despite largely negative reviews. Backed by Amazon MGM Studios with about $75 million in total costs and directed by Brett Ratner, it will stream on Prime Video after its theatrical run. Audiences gave it an A CinemaScore and skewed older, white, and female; international sales are expected to be minimal.
Deadline’s takeaways portray Melania as a behind‑the‑scenes portrait focused on image-building and branding rather than controversy, tracing her pre‑inauguration prep, personal moments, and immigration narrative while largely skipping the Trump era’s political upheavals; directed by Brett Ratner and funded by Amazon MGM (about $70 million), it features rare candid moments and cameos that underscore storytelling control over public image more than a tell‑all.
Amazon MGM's Melania, directed by Brett Ratner, is eyeing an about $8 million North American debut — potentially the biggest opening for a documentary and the most expensive doc ever — backed by roughly $40 million in worldwide licensing and a heavy domestic/international marketing push; the controversial project opens against Send Help and Iron Lung and may linger for only two weekends before a possible Prime streaming debut, while early reviews skew negative.
The Hollywood Reporter covers the world premiere of Melania, an Amazon MGM Studios documentary about First Lady Melania Trump in the days before the 2025 inauguration, focusing on a reported $75 million price tag for the project and Amazon’s theatrical plan; director Brett Ratner defends the expenditure as necessary for a high‑caliber production, not corruption, as Trump aides and family attend the Washington, D.C. premiere.
At the Kennedy Center premiere for Amazon MGM's Melania, Melania Trump and director Brett Ratner defended the documentary’s hefty cost—roughly $75 million when including production and marketing—arguing the expense reflects top-tier cinematography and a theatrical push ahead of a Prime doc series, despite critics calling the price excessive and joking it was a bribe.
A new Melania Trump documentary directed by Brett Ratner opens amid controversy surrounding Ratner’s comeback and political tensions; Amazon MGM Studios licensed the project for roughly $40 million with a brief theatrical window before Prime Video, while Melania promotes it in limited media appearances (including a Fox News interview) and the release unfolds amid national upheaval and a crowded box-office weekend.
Jimmy Kimmel mocked Melania Trump’s forthcoming documentary, calling it a $75 million ‘bribe’ Amazon allegedly made for her and quipping that Donald Trump probably watched only the first eight minutes before dozing off. He referenced Michael Wolff’s claim that Melania is upset publicity around the film is overshadowed by current events, showed a Fox News clip of her promoting the film, and noted Brett Ratner’s documentary opens Jan. 30 via Amazon MGM with exclusive footage of her life and White House transition.
Amazon paid about $40 million to license a Melania Trump documentary and earmarked roughly $35 million more for marketing, making it one of the most expensive non-fiction titles to date. The piece contrasts that budget with historic documentary costs (The World At War at ~$17.6m in today’s money; Walking With Dinosaurs at $9.9m; Planet Earth at $25m; Earth at $47m), notes the 20-day shoot at Mar-a-Lago, and highlights Melania Trump’s co-production role as well as Ratner’s involvement. It argues the high spend, contrasted with uncertain box-office returns, may reflect strategic aims (such as political influence) rather than a typical documentary run, and cites reception at a White House screening and broader industry speculation.
Amazon MGM Studios’ Brett Ratner–directed Melania opens in roughly 1,500 U.S. theaters with tracking around a $5 million debut—a potential high for a documentary not a concert film, though many expect a lower figure given a soft box office climate. The campaign leans heavily on high-profile premieres and TV spend, with marketing reported in the mid‑$30s millions and a Prime streaming plan to follow. The release pits the First Lady documentary against Rachel McAdams’ Send Help and comes amid controversy and scrutiny of Ratner’s involvement, making its box‑office result a notable test for political‑era doc demand.
Rolling Stone reports two-thirds of Melania’s New York crew asked to have their names removed from the film’s credits, with some saying they’d rather the movie flop amid claims of long hours, chaotic production, and concerns about propaganda; criticism centers on director Brett Ratner, while the film opens Jan. 30 amid weak ticket sales in the U.S. and U.K.