Can a beloved fairy tale capture magic in its live-action remake? Disney’s much-anticipated Snow White, which debuted this weekend, appears to have missed the mark. Despite a budget north of $250 million, the movie raked in only $43 million in ticket sales, well below expectations for a blockbuster Disney remake, reads a Variety post.
The live-action film, a reimagining of Disney's very first animated classic, faced a string of challenges before its release. Controversies surrounding its portrayal of the dwarfs—now CGI creations—and comments made by its star, Rachel Zegler, sparked backlash and overshadowed the film's marketing efforts. Disney had to scale back its premiere plans, which only added to the mounting pressure.
The critical reception also fell short, with the film receiving a lackluster 43% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This result contrasts sharply with past Disney live-action successes, such as The Lion King (2019), which grossed over $1.6 billion despite similarly unfavorable reviews. Snow White's debut was also underwhelming when compared to other live-action remakes, such as Cinderella (2015), which opened with $67.9 million.
Internationally, the movie earned $44.3 million, bringing its global total to $87.3 million. Expectations for the global launch were initially closer to $100 million, signaling the underperformance of the film.
The remake’s troubled production also raised eyebrows. After facing criticism from actor Peter Dinklage regarding the dwarfs’ portrayal, Disney opted to drop the iconic “Seven Dwarfs” from the title and use animated versions of the characters. Further controversy erupted over what some perceived as the film’s "woke" undertones, as Zegler's casting and the movie's themes drew criticism from various quarters.
Despite these setbacks, Disney remains hopeful. The studio has seen similar films, like Mufasa: The Lion King, rebound after modest starts. With a "B+" grade from audiences on CinemaScore, there’s still a chance that Snow White could find its footing in the weeks ahead, especially with minimal competition on the horizon.
Meanwhile, other films this weekend also struggled. Warner Bros.’ Alto Knights, a gangster drama starring Robert De Niro, opened to a mere $3.2 million, while the sci-fi Mickey 17 failed to make a significant impact, grossing only $40.2 million in three weeks against a $118 million budget.
As Hollywood faces a rough start to 2025, with box office revenue down 6.9% from last year, the mixed reception of Snow White raises questions about the future of Disney’s live-action remakes. With more titles in the pipeline, including live-action versions of Moana and Tangled, it remains to be seen whether audiences are still enchanted by these reboots or whether the magic has faded.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
