The release of “Melania” is unlike anything seen before. Amazon MGM Studios paid $40 million for the rights, plus about $35 million to market it, making it the most expensive documentary ever. Directed by Brett Ratner, who has been in exile from Hollywood since 2017, the film about the first lady debuted in 1,778 theaters amid Trump’s tumultuous second term.

While the result would be a flop for most high-budget films, “Melania” is a success by documentary standards. It was the best opening weekend for a documentary, outside of concert films, in 14 years. Going into the weekend, estimates ranged from $3 million to $5 million.

But the “Melania” comparisons are few and far between, as presidential families typically avoid in-office memoir or documentary releases to avoid the appearance of exploiting the White House. The film chronicled Melania Trump for 20 days last January, leading up to Trump’s second inauguration.

On Thursday, Trump hosted a film premiere at the Kennedy Centerwith attendees including members of the Cabinet and members of Congress. There, Ratner downplayed its box-office potential, saying: “You can’t expect a documentary to play in theaters.”

The No. 1 movie of the weekend was Sam Raimi’s “Send Help,” a critically acclaimed survival thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. The Walt Disney The release of Co. debuted with $20 million. The film, which has a $40 million budget, is a middle-of-the-road release for Raimi, whose hits often range from low-budget cult hits (“Army of Darkness”) to big-budget blockbusters (2002’s “Spider-Man”).

The microbudget sci-fi horror film “Iron Lung,” directed by YouTuber and filmmaker Markiplier, came in second with $17.9 million, beating expectations. The Jason Statham action thriller “Shelter” debuted with $5.5 million.

But most of the curiosity is what “Melania” will do. A week earlier, the White House hosted a black-tie preview attended by Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy, Apple chief executive Tim Cook and former boxer Mike Tyson.

The film comes in a week dominated by coverage of federal immigration tactics in Minnesota after a US Border Patrol agents LETHAL 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot in Minneapolis.

“Melania” did not screen in advance for critics, but the reviews that were launched on Friday, when the film was already in theaters, were not good. Xan Brooks of The Guardian compared the film to a “medieval tribute to put a greedy king on his throne.” Owen Gleiberman of Variety called it a “cheese ball informercial of staggering inertia.” Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: “To say that ‘Melania’ is a hagiography is an insult to hagiographies.”

But among those who bought tickets on the weekend, the response was more positive. “Melania” earned an “A” CinemaScore. Audiences are 55 and older (72% of ticket buyers), female (72%) and white (75%). As expected, the movie played best in the South, with top states including Florida and Texas.

David A. Gross, who runs the film consulting firm FranchiseRe called it “an excellent opening for a political documentary.”

“For any other film, with a $75 million budget and limited foreign potential, it’s a problem,” Gross said. “But this is a political investment, not a movie business for profit, and if it helps Amazon with a regulation, tax, tariff or other government issue, then it will pay off. $75 million is not important to Amazon.”

“Melania” is Ratner’s first film since he was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017. Several women, including actor Olivia Munn, have accused Ratner of sexual harassment and misconduct. Ratner denied the allegations. Last fall, after Trump’s reported intervention, Paramount Pictures said it would distribute his “Rush Hour 4.”

“Melania,” which will stream on Prime Video after its theatrical run, has been released worldwide. Before its debut, South African distributor Filmfinity said it would not be released. The company said it was changing course “based on recent developments.”

International ticket sales for “Melania” are expected to be low.

Top 10 movies at the domestic box office

With the final domestic numbers released Monday, this list accounts for estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:

1. “Send Help,” $20 million.

2. “Iron Lung,” $17.9 million.

3. “Melania,” $7 million.

4. “Zootopia 2,” $5.8 million.

5. “Shelter,” $5.5 million.

6. “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” $5.5 million.

7. “Mercy,” $4.7 million.

8. “The Housemaid,” $3.5 million.

9. “Marty Supreme,” $2.9 million.

10. “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” $1.5 million.