Melania Doc Expands Nationwide, Now Reaches Minneapolis
The documentary “Melania,” directed by Brett Ratner, has seen surprising ticket sales in Minneapolis. The film, which cost $75 million to produce, debuted with a promising $7.2 million in its opening weekend across nearly 1,800 theaters. This marks the strongest performance for a non-concert documentary in the past decade.
Film Expansion and Ticket Sales
Due to its initial success, “Melania” is expanding its reach to 2,000 theaters. Many new screenings are slated for cities traditionally leaning Democratic, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as Minneapolis. This comes on the heels of recent protests following the tragic incident involving two U.S. citizens killed by ICE agents in the city last month.
Critical Insights from Melania Trump’s Advisor
Marc Beckman, a long-time advisor to Melania Trump, commented on the film’s appeal. He noted that while the documentary may not resonate with everyone, it holds significant appeal for Trump supporters. Given the current negative climate surrounding the former First Lady, Beckman expressed satisfaction in the documentary’s performance even in predominantly blue urban centers.
Minneapolis Showings: A Mixed Bag
Ticket sales in Minneapolis reveal a mixed response. For instance, the AMC Southdale 16 has sold 15 of its 80 seats for a Tuesday screening, which is reasonable for that time. In contrast, the AMC Eden Prairie Mall 18 has fared better, with 26 seats sold for an earlier show—indicating potential friendly group purchases.
- AMC Southdale 16: 15 of 80 seats sold for the 6:45 p.m. screening.
- AMC Eden Prairie Mall 18: 26 seats sold for the 6:15 screening (nearly half the theater).
- AMC Inver Grove 16: Only three tickets sold for the 6:45 p.m. show.
- Coon Rapids 16: No tickets sold for the 7:30 screening.
Future Availability
The documentary will also be available for streaming on Amazon Prime. It is part of a package that includes a multi-episode docuseries focused on Melania Trump, featuring additional footage captured during production. Beckman anticipates that streaming will occur later this summer.
