The release of Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White” in March 2025 was met with a whirlwind of anticipation and, ultimately, a significant amount of scrutiny. Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the film aimed to reimagine the classic fairytale for a modern audience. However, its journey from announcement to theatrical release was far from a fairytale itself, marked by controversies, a mixed critical reception, and a disappointing box office performance.
Box Office Disappointment
Despite a production budget reportedly ranging from $240 to $270 million, “Snow White” struggled to enchant audiences at the box office. Its opening weekend in the US and Canada brought in a modest $42.2 million, falling short of initial projections. The following weekend saw a dramatic drop of approximately 66%, a record low for a Disney live-action remake. By the end of its second weekend, the domestic gross stood at around $66.8 million, and the worldwide total reached approximately $144 million. These figures positioned “Snow White” as one of Disney’s lowest-performing live-action remakes compared to its predecessors at the same point in their theatrical runs. This underwhelming performance has led many to label the film a box office disappointment, if not a outright bomb.
Mixed to Negative Critical Reception
Critics offered a generally lukewarm reception to “Snow White.” While some praised Rachel Zegler’s performance and vocal talents, many found the film lacking in the magic and charm of the original animated classic. Common criticisms included the heavy reliance on CGI, particularly for the reimagined dwarves, which some found awkward and unconvincing. The updated storyline and pacing also drew mixed reactions, with some finding the changes unnecessary or detracting from the essence of the fairytale. The film currently holds a “Rotten” score of around 40-47% on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating that the majority of critics did not recommend it.
A Storm of Controversy
Long before its release, “Snow White” was embroiled in numerous controversies. The casting of Rachel Zegler, an actress of Latin descent, as Snow White sparked racist backlash from a vocal minority who argued it deviated from the traditional depiction of the character. Further controversy arose from comments made by Zegler regarding the original 1937 film, which she described as “dated” and criticized its focus on a love story involving stalking.
The portrayal of the seven dwarves also became a significant point of contention. Following criticism from actor Peter Dinklage about the stereotypical depiction of dwarfs, Disney opted to use CGI for the characters, reimagining them as “magical creatures.” This decision itself drew criticism from some actors with dwarfism who felt it limited opportunities for representation. Additionally, off-screen political stances of the film’s stars, particularly Gal Gadot’s support for Israel, led to calls for boycotts from some groups. These controversies undoubtedly contributed to the negative buzz surrounding the film even before its theatrical debut.
Divided Audience Reactions
Audience reactions to “Snow White” appear to be more divided than the critical consensus suggests. While the film holds a significantly higher audience score on Rotten Tomatoes (around 71-74% verified), this figure is notably different from the “All Audience” score, which is much lower, indicating potential review bombing or highly polarized opinions. Many audience members on platforms like IMDb have given the film extremely low ratings, citing issues with the script, CGI, and overall execution. However, some viewers, particularly families and those less concerned with adhering strictly to the original, reported enjoying the film and Zegler’s performance. The CinemaScore for the film is a B+, suggesting a more average reaction from those who saw it in theaters.
Conclusion
Disney’s live-action “Snow White” faced a challenging journey to the big screen and its reception reflects the numerous hurdles it encountered. While aiming to modernize a beloved classic, the film struggled to resonate with a significant portion of both critics and the general audience, resulting in a disappointing box office performance. The controversies surrounding casting, character portrayals, and off-screen comments likely played a role in shaping public perception.
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Ultimately, “Snow White” serves as a complex case study in the challenges of reimagining iconic animated films for a contemporary audience, highlighting the delicate balance between honoring the source material and introducing meaningful updates. Whether it will be remembered as a poisoned apple in Disney’s repertoire or a misunderstood fairytale remains to be seen, but its impact on the landscape of live-action remakes is undeniable.
