“Melania,” a documentary directed by Brett Ratner, premiered at the Kennedy Center on January 29, 2026, ahead of its wide theatrical release on January 30.

The film offers a “created experience” and personal authorship rather than a traditional documentary style. The film provides unprecedented access to the 20 days leading up to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration, documenting Melania Trump as she orchestrates inauguration plans and the complexities of the White House transition, and moves her family back to the nation’s capital.

Melania Trump reportedly secured a $40 million deal with Amazon MGM Studios, plus a $35 million marketing budget. She reportedly receives a 70% cut of the deal, marking a rare instance of a sitting first lady profiting from inside access while in office.

The film is directed by Brett Ratner, serving as his return to the industry after being “canceled” following sexual misconduct allegations in 2017. Melania described the project as a “deliberate act of authorship” meant to reveal “honor, pride, and truth”.

The release has been overshadowed by national turmoil, including protests following federal law enforcement shootings in Minneapolis, which some critics argue makes the celebratory film rollout appear out of touch.

While industry forecasters are divided on its commercial success, some Letterboxd users and critics have already pre-swarmed the film with polarizing reviews, ranging from praise for its “expressive images” to dismissals of it as propaganda.