Disney’s latest live-action remake, Snow White, has flopped in spectacular fashion, raking in just $87 million worldwide in its opening weekend—$43 million from domestic audiences and $44 million internationally. Despite its nearly $300 million budget, the film has become one of the weakest debuts for a Disney remake in recent history, trailing behind even Dumbo (2019) and falling far short of 2023’s The Little Mermaid.
The movie stars Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, but controversy plagued the project from the start. Zegler, already a divisive choice among fans, drew backlash for repeatedly criticizing the original 1937 animated classic in interviews, calling Prince Charming “a stalker” and implying the original story lacked relevance. Her dismissive tone toward Disney’s foundational film stirred up widespread criticism, particularly among traditional Disney fans and conservatives.
Casting, Wokeness, and Production Problems
The film also ignited debate over the portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs, with Disney choosing to heavily alter or minimize their roles in favor of what it called “modern representation.” Critics blasted the move as unnecessary, virtue-signaling, and disrespectful to the original material. Others pointed to the use of CGI stand-ins and a confusing marketing campaign that alienated core audiences.
Coupled with reports of on-set delays and ballooning production costs, Snow White arrived in theaters carrying the weight of bloated expectations and widespread skepticism. Now, early ticket sales suggest those fears were well-founded.
Audience Response: Lukewarm at Best
Audiences appear far from enchanted. The film earned a mediocre “B+” CinemaScore, and only 43% of viewers surveyed said they would strongly recommend it to others. Even Disney’s typical overseas markets failed to show strong enthusiasm, with the film underperforming in several regions.
Interestingly, the movie saw better performance in Republican-leaning states, while more progressive markets appeared largely indifferent or even hostile to the release. Many on the right have pointed to the film’s overtly political messaging and tone-deaf approach as yet another example of Disney’s “go woke, go broke” trajectory.
The Bottom Line
Snow White was meant to be a crown jewel in Disney’s live-action portfolio, but it has instead become a cautionary tale. With a massive production budget, a deeply polarizing lead, and growing frustration among audiences tired of heavy-handed reboots, Disney’s magic seems to be fading fast.
As Snow White struggles to stay afloat in the coming weeks, the company may soon have to reckon with the cost—not just financial, but cultural—of prioritizing politics over storytelling.