Jimmy Kimmel Critiques ‘Melania’ Box Office and Audience Ratings
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has been vocal about his criticisms of the documentary “Melania.” The Amazon MGM-backed film chronicles Melania Trump’s experiences in the 20 days leading up to her husband Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration. Kimmel recently addressed the documentary in his “Jimmy Kimmel Live” monologue, casting doubt on its box office performance.
Box Office Performance and Audience Demographics
“Melania” opened with a domestic box office of $7 million. This figure is considered strong for documentary films; however, context reveals a different narrative. Amazon acquired the documentary for $40 million and allocated an additional $35 million for marketing efforts.
According to Kimmel, reports emerged indicating that tickets for “Melania” were purchased in bulk, potentially influencing the film’s box office numbers. “Sources suggest that blocks of tickets were distributed to Republican activists and senior citizens’ homes,” he remarked during his show.
Audience Composition
The audience for “Melania” during its opening weekend was significantly skewed. Notably, 72% of the viewers were female and 83% were over the age of 45. Demographic data from PostTrak revealed that nearly 75% of ticket buyers identified as white. Interestingly, while Los Angeles and New York City often dominate box office sales, “Melania” found its strongest performances in Republican-leaning cities such as:
- Dallas
- Orlando
- Tampa
- Phoenix
- West Palm Beach
Critical Reception vs. Audience Ratings
Critical response to “Melania” has been largely negative. As of the latest reports, the film holds a mere 5% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it below infamous films like “Gigli.” In contrast, the audience score for “Melania” sits significantly higher at 99%, surpassing even iconic films such as “The Godfather.”
Kimmel’s Ongoing Critique
Kimmel’s skepticism of the project dates back to before the film’s release. He has referred to it as a “$75 million bribe” orchestrated by Amazon. He further lampooned the film’s opening earnings, claiming it set a record for the “biggest opening for a non-musical vanity project/brazen corporate bribe in the last 10 years.”
As the conversation around “Melania” continues to unfold, Kimmel humorously suggested investigating its financial activities. He jokingly called for the FBI to seize ticket machines and box office receipts across the country.
In summary, “Melania” presents a curious case of contrasting audience enthusiasm and critical derision, all set against a backdrop of politically motivated ticket sales. The documentary’s future will likely continue to stir debate among both the public and commentators like Kimmel.
