First Ladies in Focus: The Rise of Documentary Viewership
The recent release of the Amazon documentary about Melania Trump has sparked interest in other former first ladies. Luminate reported a significant increase in viewership for Netflix's Michelle Obama documentary, "Becoming," over the weekend. The documentary, released in May 2020, saw a 13,300% jump in total minutes viewed compared to the previous weekend, reaching 47.5 million viewing minutes from January 30 to February 1. This surge in interest coincided with the release of Melania in theaters across the country.
Despite the substantial increase in viewership, "Becoming" still falls short of the massive numbers that Netflix usually achieves with its titles. However, the documentary experienced a remarkable boost in viewership compared to its usual numbers in January. The data shows a steady increase in viewership from January 30 to February 3, with the peak on February 1, recording 32.7 million views.
Directed by Brett Ratner, Melania focuses on First Lady Melania Trump in the days leading up to Donald Trump's inauguration for a second term. The film had a successful opening weekend, grossing $7 million, making it the biggest opening for a non-fiction feature in the last decade. However, considering the high production and marketing costs, the film's success is still uncertain. On the other hand, "Becoming," directed by Nadia Hallgren, offers an intimate look into Michelle Obama's life before and after her time in the White House, showcasing her book tour and cultural impact.
The surge in interest in these documentaries highlights the public's fascination with the lives of former first ladies and their experiences in the political spotlight. As these films continue to attract viewers, their impact on popular culture and historical narratives remains significant.