Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Remake: A Box Office Catastrophe!

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The live-action remake of Disney’s “Snow White,” directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, has not done well at the box office. It opened with just $43 million in the U.S. and $87.3 million worldwide, despite a reported production budget of $250 million. This is lower than the film’s anticipated domestic debut of $50 million and global expectations of $100 million. This weak start for Disney is concerning, especially since the movie was expensive to make and there’s pressure to recoup its investment.

The film has encountered both negative criticism from critics and viewers, reflected in its scores on various review platforms. For instance, it has a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic among critics, and a poor 1.5 score from users on Metacritic. While CinemaScore audiences gave it a B+ grade, this is the lowest score for any Disney live-action remake so far. These factors add to the difficulties faced by Snow White in attaining financial success.

Compare this to ‘Dumbo’, the 2019 live-action film by Tim Burton, which had a less than stellar reception but still outperformed in many aspects. For instance, it earned an A- CinemaScore, a 50% Rotten Tomatoes rating, better reviews from both users and critics on Metacritic, and a higher domestic and global opening weekend box office, with over $29 million more globally. Despite this strong start, ‘Dumbo’ ultimately grossed just $353M worldwide during its run, making a modest profit. If ‘Snow White’ manages to reach that total, it would at least limit its losses, as it reportedly cost $250 million to produce, meaning it would still lose approximately $137 million.

Critics heavily criticized the movie’s weak narrative, with The New York Times stating it was neither impressive nor entertaining enough to praise or mock gleefully. The Guardian took this a step further, alleging that money-making was given preference over artistic integrity, describing it as a film made by individuals with caricatured dollar signs for eyes and no trace of artistry in their creative process. The Independent commented that even the talented actors delivered their most forgettable performances ever.

The decision to use CGI for the seven dwarfs proved detrimental, according to Huffington Post’s reviewer, who found them artificial and disconcerting compared to other CGI elements, almost as if they were hastily added to replace the diverse “outlaws” in the woods. Even positive reviews noted that the new musical numbers fell flat, failing to recapture the enchantment of the original animated masterpiece.

Our Review: Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall, This Remake Falls Short of Them All

The film has faced a string of unexpected issues, leading to numerous controversies that may have negatively impacted its public response. The choice of Rachel Zegler as a Latina actress for the traditionally white character of Snow White ignited discussions about representation and accuracy. Zegler’s Twitter exchanges with critics, where she defiantly stated she wouldn’t lighten her skin tone for the role, further inflamed these debates. Moreover, Zegler’s outspoken political views on social media platforms have alienated significant parts of the audience, including supporters of former President Trump, pro-Israel viewers, and a broad spectrum of moviegoers. This self-imposed isolation may explain why she has no listed upcoming roles on IMDb. She is considered toxic by many in the industry.

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It seems that Disney’s strategy of remaking live-action versions of their animated classics isn’t shining as brightly as before. If “Lilo & Stitch” doesn’t break the pattern and do exceptionally well, “Snow White” might signal a wane in Disney’s reliance on these unoriginal adaptations. I believe moving beyond live-action remakes could be beneficial for the studio, perhaps spurring a resurgence of imaginative and unique storytelling. Abandoning the repetition of their animated films could push Disney to rejuvenate their creative energy, leading to new concepts and franchises that captivate audiences instead of relying on nostalgia with diminishing returns. However, adapting theme park rides has sometimes yielded positive results.

It’s unfortunate if the sole silver lining from this debacle is that Rachel Zegler’s involvement in the production was more tightly managed. While she may be inexperienced, it’s unfair to single her out as the only one who should learn from this experience. The movie itself was a disaster, and Disney should receive the criticism for their poor performance, not a young actress who happened to speak up when things went wrong, making it even more challenging for Disney to generate profits.

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2025-03-24 15:00