Melania Trump offers an intimate glimpse into her life through her new documentary, Melania, which debuted in theaters on January 30 following a premiere at the Trump-Kennedy Center. Amazon MGM Studios secured the film in a $40 million acquisition, focusing on the 20 days leading to the 2025 presidential inauguration where her husband, Donald Trump, took office as the 47th president.
Film’s Core Focus
The documentary captures key moments in Melania’s transition from private citizen to First Lady. “History is set in motion during the 20 days of my life prior to the U.S. Presidential Inauguration,” Melania, 55, stated in December 2025. “For the first time, global audiences are invited into theaters to witness this pivotal chapter unfold—a private, unfiltered look as I navigate family, business, and philanthropy on my remarkable journey to becoming First Lady of the United States of America.”
Premiere Highlights
At the black carpet event on January 29, Donald Trump, 79, praised the film after viewing it for the first time. “I loved it. I thought it was really great,” he told reporters. “It really brings back a glamour that you just don’t see anymore. Our country could use a little bit of that.”
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings
On Rotten Tomatoes, Melania holds a 9 percent rating from critics. The audience score remains unavailable due to insufficient verified reviews on opening day. A Certified Fresh rating requires at least 55 percent from critics.
Critics’ Mixed Reviews
Early screenings prompted varied responses from reviewers. Variety described the film as a documentary that “never comes to life,” calling it “so orchestrated and airbrushed and stage-managed that it barely rises to the level of a shameless infomercial.” The review added, “Is it cheesy? At moments, but mostly it’s inert. It feels like it’s been stitched together out of the most innocuous outtakes from a reality show. There’s no drama to it. It should have been called Day of the Living Tradwife.”
The Hollywood Reporter labeled it an “expensive propaganda doc” that is “glossily shot and lushly scored.” Outlets like The Independent and The Guardian awarded it one out of five stars. In contrast, The London Evening Standard offered a more favorable take: “If you take this film for what it is, Melania’s own, curated take on herself, then there’s one thing she wants to get across, it’s that there’s human warmth there under the cheekbones and the slanting feline eyes.” The review concluded, “May I say right now she looks extraordinary for 55?”
Audience Reactions
Viewers on Rotten Tomatoes expressed divided opinions. One verified user called it “an absolutely delightful peek behind the scenes of the days before, during, and after the inauguration.” They added, “So many special moments captured and I’m so grateful Melania decided to share them with the American people.”
Another verified reviewer noted, “Beautifully done cinematography. Playful, fun moments and also heartfelt. Interesting to see behind the scenes of a Presidential transition. Loved the soundtrack also!” An unverified user critiqued it harshly: “This documentary isn’t a film so much as a high-gloss vanity mirror. It offers no insight, no tension, and no curiosity about its subject or the power orbiting her.”
Melania and Director’s Insights
In response to questions following the release, Melania emphasized the film’s purpose. “I believe the Americans and people all over the world should witness the incredible amount of planning and work required when shifting from private citizen to first lady,” she explained. “I take pride in every detail.”
Director Brett Ratner highlighted Melania’s vision for the project. “She had a theatrical, big-screen vision for the film right from the start,” he said. “Melania didn’t want a documentary. She didn’t want talking heads. She said, ‘Brett, don’t hold back.'”
