LAKE OSWEGO,Ore., Feb. 3, 2026 – A small-town cinema’s cheeky marquee message cost it a screening run of the controversial new documentary “Melania.” Amazon MGM Studios pulled the film from the Lake Theater & Cafe after the theater posted a playful jab at the film on its outdoor sign.
A Marquee Too Far? Amazon Cancels ‘Melania’ Screenings
A local theater’s attempt at humor led to the abrupt end of a two-week run for the politically charged documentary.
- The lake Theater & Cafe in Oregon had its screenings of “Melania” canceled by Amazon MGM Studios.
- The cancellation stemmed from a marquee message reading, “To defeat your enemy, you must know them. Melania starts Friday.”
- The theater’s manager says the film generated $196 for amazon founder Jeff Bezos during its brief run.
“To defeat your enemy, you must know them. Melania starts Friday,” read the marquee, as documented in a photograph by The Oregonian. The message apparently didn’t sit well with “the higher ups” at Amazon, according to a Monday Instagram post from the Lake Theater & Cafe.
A subsequent marquee message declared Amazon had gotten “mad” and all showings of “Melania” were canceled, suggesting patrons show their support instead at a nearby Amazon-owned Whole Foods Market. The theater’s manager, Jordan perry, detailed the situation in a blog post, explaining his reasoning for booking the film in the first place.
The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner (“Rush Hour,” “X-Men: The Last Stand”), offers a glimpse into the 20 days leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration. The film has faced widespread criticism. Critics labeled it as propaganda in early reviews, and posters and billboards in Los Angeles were defaced. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and Apple CEO Tim Cook also drew scrutiny for attending a private White House screening of the film,wich coincided with the death of protester Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Watch the “Melania” trailer below:
The Lake Theater & Cafe is known for its playful marquee messages, with recordings of public reactions available on the theater’s website. One past message read, “Not getting the Taylor Swift movie because her music’s not even good.”
