News that the much-discussed documentary about the U.S. First Lady won’t be shown in South African cinemas has caused a stir among film fans worldwide.
So, there’s this movie called “Melania,” and it’s been pulled from theaters – totally out of the blue! It was supposed to come out worldwide on January 30th, but now it’s just…gone from the schedule. Really strange!
I was so bummed to hear the news! Apparently, Filmfinity, the company that was going to release the film here, has completely cancelled it. I saw that News24 spoke to Thobashan Govindarajulu, their sales and marketing head, and he confirmed the decision is final. It’s a real shame, but it looks like we won’t be seeing it in theaters now.
Govindarajulu announced that they’ve decided to forgo a cinema release in that region. He stated the distributor wasn’t forced into this decision, but the likely reason is the strained relationship between the US and South Africa.
As a movie critic, I’m used to seeing dramatic conflicts play out on screen, but this real-life situation is pretty unsettling. President Trump recently made some really troubling claims about South Africa – specifically, repeating debunked accusations of a ‘genocide’ targeting white farmers there. The reaction has been swift and significant. South Africa has essentially said, ‘We’re hitting pause on working with the U.S. while Trump’s in office,’ by temporarily stepping back from G20 activities. It’s a clear signal that this isn’t just a minor disagreement – the relationship is seriously strained, and it’s playing out on the world stage.
The documentary is attracting a lot of controversy. Directed by Brett Ratner, who is returning to filmmaking after facing accusations of sexual misconduct, it was purchased by Amazon MGM Studios for a significant $40 million.
MELANIA, the film, exclusively in theaters worldwide on January 30th, 2026.
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) December 17, 2025
Even with a large $35 million marketing push, including a prominent display at the Las Vegas Sphere, experts at Boxoffice Pro and NRG predict the film will only earn between $3 to $5 million domestically on its opening weekend. The movie centers on Melania Trump during the 20 days before her husband’s second inauguration, a time she calls a revealing look at a significant moment in American history.
On his show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Jimmy Kimmel recently criticized the project and when it was released. He mentioned comments made by writer Michael Wolff on his podcast, “Inside Trump’s Head,” which suggested Melania Trump was annoyed by the constant focus on news within the United States.
Jimmy Kimmel joked that, according to Michael Wolff, Melania Trump was very unhappy that the events in Minneapolis were taking attention away from her new documentary – which he sarcastically called a “$75 million bribe” from Amazon. He referenced reports that she was extremely frustrated because the public’s reaction to immigration enforcement in Minnesota was overshadowing the film’s promotion.
Since the documentary about her, Melania Trump has continued to be involved in Washington as First Lady. She effectively advocated for the “Take It Down Act,” a law making it illegal to share private images without permission, and expanded her “Fostering the Future” program internationally to help more foster children.
The First Lady recently visited the New York Stock Exchange and rang the opening bell to help promote her new movie. She’s also hinted at a new plan for laws later in 2026, but hasn’t shared many details yet.
In addition to the initial documentary, Amazon is planning a sequel as part of their massive licensing agreement. Reports suggest Melania Trump had significant control over the film’s creative process, including details like color and music choices.
The movie is now playing in over 2,000 theaters across the country, but opinions are sharply divided. The President has called it essential viewing, while others see it as a costly attempt to control public perception.
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2026-01-30 00:44