{"id":2560859,"date":"2026-02-01T12:30:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T17:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/melanias-8m-opening-best-documentary-debut-in-over-10-years-2\/"},"modified":"2026-02-01T12:32:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T17:32:06","slug":"melanias-8m-opening-best-documentary-debut-in-over-10-years-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/melanias-8m-opening-best-documentary-debut-in-over-10-years-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Melania&#8217;s $8M opening best documentary debut in over 10 years"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmelanias-8m-opening-best-documentary-debut-in-over-10-years-2%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2560859&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Melania Trump\u2019s self-titled documentary opened far stronger than expected, grossing about $8 million on roughly 1,778 screens \u2014 the best opening weekend for any documentary in more than a decade despite poor reviews from critics.<\/p>\n<p>Key points:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Initial projections estimated around $5 million; actual opening reached about $8 million.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Audience skewed heavily older and female: 72% of Friday viewers were women over 55,and 78% of all viewers were over 55.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The film earned an \u201cA\u201d CinemaScore; the first lady and former President Donald Trump celebrated its success on social platforms, and Elon Musk congratulated her on X.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Commentators expected high interest as of Melania\u2019s relative privacy; she recently spoke about responsible AI use in education.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Melania Trump&rsquo;s $8 million opening best documentary debut in over 10 years<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2489762\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>First lady <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/4438701\/melania-most-interesting-person-white-house\/\">Melania Trump<\/a>&rsquo;s new documentary is set to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/families-need-a-rein-on-inflation-not-shortsighted-spending-gimmicks\/\" title=\"Families Need A Rein On Inflation, Not Shortsighted Spending Gimmicks\">outpace projections<\/a> and open to the best weekend for any documentary in over a decade.<em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The eponymously titled <em>Melania<\/em> was expected to open to around $5 million across 1,778 screens, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/movies\/movie-news\/box-office-melania-opening-weekend-1236490092\/?taid=697e89790d6a0400013245c2&amp;utm_campaign=trueanthem&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter\">according to<\/a> the <em>Hollywood Reporter<\/em>. However, the film is doing better than expected with a gross of around $8 million despite negative reception from film critics.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4441271\/patriots-seahawks-usa-250-patches-super-bowl-semiquincentennial\/\">Patriots and Seahawks to sport &#8216;USA 250&#8217; patches at Super Bowl for semiquincentennial<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4440721\/trump-executive-america-250-indycar-race-national-mall\/\">Trump signs executive order for America 250 IndyCar race on the National Mall<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4438790\/hollywood-needs-more-groundhog-days\/\">Hollywood needs more Groundhog Days<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The film&rsquo;s audience is primarily women and older viewers; 72% of the film&rsquo;s audience on Friday comprised of women over the age of 55, and 78% of all viewers were older than 55.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4441860\/latest-epstein-trove-features-musk-lutnick-steve-tisch-correspondence\/\">LATEST EPSTEIN TROVE FEATURES MUSK, LUTNICK, AND STEVE TISCH CORRESPONDENCE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the premiere of her movie &ldquo;Melania&rdquo; at The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jose Luis Magana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4441587\/defeat-out-of-jaws-of-victory-gop-reckons-with-trump-ice-blunders\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> heralded the film&rsquo;s &ldquo;BLOCKBUSTER&rdquo; success on Truth Social, while the first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/melanias-8m-opening-best-documentary-debut-in-over-10-years\/\" title=\"Melania&#039;s M opening best ... debut in over 10 years\">lady celebrated<\/a> the film&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-gun-maverick-responds-to-outcry-replaces-taiwanese-flag-on-tom-cruises-characters-jacket\/\" title=\"\u2018Top Gun: Maverick\u2019 Responds To Outcry, Replaces Taiwanese Flag On Tom Cruise\u2019s Character\u2019s Jacket\">biggest opening<\/a> for a documentary in over 10 years. She also spotlighted the film&rsquo;s &ldquo;A&rdquo; rating from CinemaScore, saying it is &ldquo;loved by all.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>    <iframe src=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/115995604245395993\/embed\" class=\"truthsocial-embed\" style=\"max-width: 100%; border: 0\" width=\"600\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script src=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/embed.js\" async=\"async\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">MELANIA, the film.<br \/>#1 Highest Opening In 10 Yrs (Doc)<br \/>Loved By All &ndash; &ldquo;A&rdquo; CinemaScore <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HTVM0Cu2Jv\">pic.twitter.com\/HTVM0Cu2Jv<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MELANIATRUMP\/status\/2017663305876176951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 31, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >president&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s former Department of Government Efficiency chief <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4441743\/epstein-files-show-musk-planned-to-visit-island-despite-denial-of-ties\/\">Elon Musk<\/a> extended his congratulations to Melania Trump on X, which the first lady reposted on her account.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Congratulations to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@FLOTUS<\/a>! <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LVy47Lpwow\">https:\/\/t.co\/LVy47Lpwow<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/2017615727990345869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 31, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/4438701\/melania-most-interesting-person-white-house\/\"><strong>WASHINGTON SECRETS: WHY MELANIA IS THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON IN THE WHITE HOUSE (WHEN SHE&rsquo;S THERE)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ahead of the film&rsquo;s release, <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> senior writer Joe Concha predicted <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4438940\/joe-concha-predicts-melania-privacy-prompts-high-doc-viewership\/\">&ldquo;a lot of people will be interested&rdquo; in the film<\/a>, citing how the first lady is such a &ldquo;private&rdquo; person.<\/p>\n<p>Melania Trump delivered a speech last month on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4422147\/melania-trump-encourages-ai-says-cant-replace-humans\/\">incorporating artificial intelligence with learning<\/a>, urging students not to use AI as &ldquo;a quick solution.&rdquo; She added that AI ought to be used as a tool but not to &ldquo;replace your personal intelligence.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Melania doc nets $8M \u2014 best opening in 10 years<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2632,"featured_media":2560860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26030125712298-e1769960512173.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[72525,36834,5844,32423,72526],"class_list":["post-2560859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-8m-opening","tag-box-office","tag-documentary","tag-melania-trump","tag-record-debut"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26030125712298-e1769960512173.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2560859","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2632"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2560859"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2560859\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2560863,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2560859\/revisions\/2560863"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2560860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2560859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2560859"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2560859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}