Trending Now: Michelle Obama triumphs over Melania Trump in viewing figures war – Fans React

Michelle Obama’s 2020 documentary, Becoming, is back on Netflix’s Top 10 since the release of Melania Trump’s documentary, Melania. Michelle was the first lady between 2009 to 2017

Michelle Obama’s 2020 Netflix documentary has had a revival in popularity with the recent theatrical release of Melania Trump’s documentary.

Michelle’s documentary Becoming, which aired on the streamer in May, is seeing a resurgence. Newsweek reported that the film entered Netflix’s top 10 over the past weekend at No. 8, then moved up to No. 6 by Monday, February 2, per Complex. The outlet reported that Michelle was at the No. 4 spot but in the Kids Film section on February 4. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Becoming increased more than 13,000 percent to 47.5 million minutes viewed over the January 30-February 1 weekend. That was the same weekend as Melania’s documentary debut, which specifically released on January 30.

Six years ago, Becoming aired on Netflix and the documentary was inspired by Michelle’s 2018 memoir of the same name. The film was directed by Nadia Hallgren and produced by Michelle and husband Barack Obama’s media company, Higher Ground Productions.

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The 89-minute documentary followed the 68-year-old former attorney as she toured her bestselling memoir across 34 cities. The Netflix log line reads,”Join former first lady Michelle Obama in an intimate documentary looking at her life, hopes, and connection with others as she tours with ‘Becoming.’ The approach focuses on her personal reflections, family roots, and the people she meets on the road.”

Per Complex, at the time Becoming premiered in May 2020, it had a decent run as it was in the Top 10 but only for less than a week. The film seemed to show a sustained moderate interest as it garnered around 1.5 million views between 2023 and 2025, according to Netflix engagement data.

With the release of Melania’s documentary, it sparked people wanting to support Michelle and express their love for her over the current first lady. Critics of Melania took to social media to recommend watching Michelle’s doc instead.

“If you want to watch a documentary about a smart, accomplished, classy First Lady, watch Becoming on Netflix. Michelle Obama is a true national treasure,” a person said on X formerly Twitter.

Melania earned more than $7 million at the domestic U.S. box office in its first weekend, making it the highest opening for a non-concert documentary in years.

Despite that, the film has been panned by critics. It has 5% on the Tomatometer (critics) on Rotten Tomatoes and a 99% on the Popcornmeter, which is the audience score. Reports have suggested that the high score is from Melania fans and MAGA supporters.

A Rotten Tomatoes spokesperson confirmed to Rolling Stones that the disparity between critics and audience score is the biggest one in the review aggregator’s history.

On the other hand, Michelle’s Becoming had a 93% on the Tomatometer and a 78% on the Popcornmeter.

Amazon MGM reportedly spent $40 million to acquire Melania’s documentary and an extra $35 million to promote it. The film is “unprecedented access” to the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s second inauguration through the 55-year-old’s perspective.

Amazon’s News press release said, the documentary capture the former model as she arranges “inauguration plans, navigates the complexities of the White House transition, and moves her family back to the nation’s capital.”

The 108 minutes doc was directed by Brett Ratner, who was accused by six women of sexual misconduct in 2017. The controversial director has denied the allegations.