The Walt Disney Company’s latest attempt to revive a classic with a live-action ‘Snow White’ failed to deliver a magical opening, bringing in just $43 million at the domestic box office, according to estimates released Sunday. The underwhelming debut adds fuel to the growing scrutiny over Disney’s high-budget remakes, particularly as this film arrives with a legacy that dates back to the studio’s very foundation.
Key Highlights:
The original 1937 ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ was Disney’s first animated feature and a landmark in film history. But this 2025 adaptation, directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler, struggled to connect with audiences and critics alike.
Controversy and Backlash Cloud Release
Leading up to release, the film was mired in multiple controversies. Criticism emerged over the CGI rendering of the seven dwarfs, replacing practical effects or traditional character depictions. Compounding the PR troubles were public remarks made by lead actress Rachel Zegler, which stirred backlash and prompted Disney to scale back promotional efforts, including its premiere strategy.
The negative buzz translated into critical reception as well. The film holds a 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, marking one of the poorest-reviewed Disney live-action remakes to date.
Box Office Performance Falls Below Expectations
With a reported budget of over $250 million, ‘Snow White’ had much higher expectations. Instead, its $43 million domestic opening fell behind other recent Disney remakes, including:
- ‘Dumbo’ (2019): $46 million
- ‘Cinderella’ (2015): $67.9 million
- ‘The Lion King’ (2019): Despite mixed reviews, it grossed $1.6 billion worldwide
Internationally, ‘Snow White’ added $44.3 million, bringing its global total to $87.3 million—well short of the $100 million global debut that had been anticipated, even as recently as a few weeks before release.
Implications for Disney’s Remake Strategy
The film’s weak opening will likely intensify internal and industry-wide questions about Disney’s long-term strategy of mining its classic animated vault for live-action remakes. While some remakes like ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Lion King’ have been major successes, others have failed to resonate either critically or commercially.
Upcoming live-action projects from Disney include:
- ‘Moana’
- ‘Tangled’
- ‘Lilo & Stitch’ (set to release in May)
Whether these films will fare better remains uncertain, especially as audiences appear to be growing more skeptical of retellings that don’t add substantial creative value or modern appeal.
The lukewarm box office debut of ‘Snow White’ reflects both the risks of reimagining beloved classics and the impact of public sentiment in the age of social media. With massive production costs and mixed public perception, Disney’s live-action formula may need a serious rethink moving forward.
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