Amazon MGM Studios has announced the release date for its highly anticipated documentary feature on First Lady Melania Trump, setting the stage for a film that promises to pull back the curtain on one of the most closely watched political transitions in recent memory. Titled simply "Melania," the documentary will debut exclusively in U.S. theaters and select overseas territories on January 30, 2026, before eventually streaming on Prime Video. The announcement, made public on October 9, 2025, has already sparked debate—not just for its subject matter, but for the staggering $40 million price tag Amazon reportedly paid for the rights. As if that weren’t enough, the film will later be accompanied by a three-part docuseries, further expanding its scope and reach.
Directed by Brett Ratner, "Melania" marks the filmmaker’s first project since facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment during the #MeToo movement—allegations Ratner has publicly denied. The choice of Ratner as director adds a layer of intrigue and controversy to the project, given the ongoing conversations about accountability and redemption in Hollywood. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Melania Trump herself participated extensively in the production, serving not only as the film’s central figure but also as an executive producer alongside Fernando Sulichin, known for producing Oliver Stone’s Snowden and Sean Penn’s Flag Day.
The official logline for the documentary, as announced by Amazon MGM Studios, sets the tone for what viewers can expect: “Melania offers unprecedented access to the 20 days leading up to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration — through the eyes of the First Lady-elect herself. Step inside Melania Trump’s world as she orchestrates inauguration plans, navigates the complexities of the White House transition, and reenters public life with her family. With exclusive footage capturing critical meetings, private conversations, and never-before-seen environments, Melania showcases Mrs. Trump’s return to one of the world’s most powerful roles.”
This isn’t just a standard biographical documentary or a campaign highlight reel. Instead, the film promises to immerse viewers in the day-to-day realities of the First Lady-elect as she prepares for a second turn in the White House. In her own words, Melania Trump described the project back in January: “It chronicles my day-to-day life, what I’m doing, what kind of responsibilities I have,” she said, citing “transition team work, moving to the White House, establishing my team, the First Lady’s office, and making the residence a home.”
Amazon MGM Studios’ decision to invest $40 million in the rights to "Melania" has not gone unnoticed. Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville was among the most vocal critics, telling HuffPost earlier this year, “They could make a documentary on the history of the universe and not spend $40 million. You can produce a world-class documentary for $2 million.” His comments reflect a broader skepticism in political and media circles about both the cost and the motivations behind the project. For context, most high-profile documentaries—even those with A-list directors and unprecedented access—are produced for a fraction of that budget.
Meanwhile, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has come under the microscope for what some see as a growing coziness with the Trump family. Bezos attended Donald Trump’s January 2025 inauguration and, according to reports, prevented The Washington Post—which he owns—from endorsing Trump’s Democratic rival, former Vice President Kamala Harris, in the 2024 presidential election. Critics argue that the release of a high-profile, sympathetic documentary about Melania Trump by a Bezos-owned studio only adds fuel to the fire. Whether this is evidence of a political realignment or simply business as usual in the streaming wars, the optics are hard to ignore.
For director Brett Ratner, "Melania" represents a high-stakes return to filmmaking after years in the wilderness. Once a Hollywood fixture, Ratner’s career was derailed by allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has consistently denied. His involvement in such a politically charged and high-profile project is likely to reignite debates about who gets a second chance in the entertainment industry and under what circumstances. For some, his return is a testament to resilience and the possibility of redemption; for others, it’s a troubling sign of Hollywood’s short memory.
The documentary’s structure is also notable. Rather than taking a broad, retrospective view of Melania Trump’s life or her previous tenure as First Lady, the film zeroes in on the intense, high-pressure period leading up to the 2025 Inauguration. Viewers will see Melania orchestrating the logistics of the ceremony, managing the transition team, and reestablishing her presence in the White House. The inclusion of exclusive footage—critical meetings, private conversations, and behind-the-scenes moments—suggests a level of access rarely granted to filmmakers, let alone the public.
Adding another layer to the project, Amazon MGM Studios has announced that the documentary will be followed by a three-part docuseries, further exploring Melania Trump’s return to the national stage. While details on the docuseries remain under wraps, the move signals Amazon’s confidence in the film’s potential to generate sustained interest and conversation.
As the release date approaches, speculation is mounting about how "Melania" will be received by both critics and audiences. Supporters of the Trump family are likely to see the film as a long-overdue opportunity to showcase Melania’s perspective and contributions, while detractors may view it as an exercise in image management, especially given her direct involvement as executive producer. The choice of Ratner as director, the unprecedented access, and the record-breaking budget all but guarantee that the documentary will be a major cultural flashpoint.
For Amazon MGM Studios, the stakes are high. The studio is betting that "Melania" will not only draw viewers to theaters and Prime Video but also spark conversations about power, gender, and the behind-the-scenes realities of political life. In an era when streaming platforms are desperate for exclusive, must-see content, the film’s combination of access, controversy, and star power could make it one of the most talked-about releases of 2026.
With the countdown to January 30, 2026, underway, the world will soon have a front-row seat to Melania Trump’s return to the White House—and, perhaps, to a new chapter in the ongoing saga of American political life.
