Introduction
Friday marks the general release of Melania, the Amazon MGM Studios documentary about former First Lady Melania Trump. While most listings show ample seats, a WIRED investigation uncovered two rare sold‑out showtimes.
Methodology
WIRED examined 329 theaters in 64 of the 100 cities featured on BetMGM’s “Best US Cities to See a Movie” list. From Fandango’s database, 1,398 Melania showtimes were extracted and cross‑checked for availability.
Findings
Only two screenings were fully booked:
- 12:55 pm at AMC Classic Indian River 24, Vero Beach, Florida
- 1:00 pm at AMC Independence Commons 20, Independence, Missouri
Both sold‑out sessions were offered at a 20 % discount for early‑day showings. A third Florida screening appeared sold out briefly but later showed two open seats.
Regional Context
In the United Kingdom, a single ticket was initially reported for a 3:10 pm Vue screening in London, later rising to 13 seats. Across the United States, most theaters still displayed empty seats, with screenshots of vacant seating charts circulating online.
Limitations
The analysis covered only a subset of theaters and relied on Fandango listings. Some cinemas do not sell tickets through the platform, and seat‑selection policies vary, meaning additional sold‑out shows may exist.
Additional Notes
The Mann Plymouth Grand 15 theater in Minnesota showed cancelled showtimes amid unrelated local incidents. Representatives did not comment.