Disney’s Live-Action ‘Snow White’ Struggles at Box Office Amid Backlash
Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White” opened to disappointing box office numbers, earning just $43 million in ticket sales across the US and Canada, according to The Los Angeles Times. Despite the film costing over $250 million to make, it only grossed $44 million overseas, bringing its total global debut to $87 million.
The underwhelming performance places “Snow White” far below other recent Disney live-action remakes, such as “The Lion King” and “Beauty and the Beast,” which had significantly stronger openings. The film has also been met with harsh criticism, currently holding a 44 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Controversy has surrounded the movie for some time. In 2022, lead actress Rachel Zegler drew backlash after mocking the original “Snow White” storyline, calling it “weird” and describing it as being about a prince who “literally stalks” Snow White. Additionally, she has faced criticism for past social media posts, including one in which she expressed disdain for Donald Trump supporters following his 2024 election victory, stating she hoped they would “never know peace.” Zegler later apologized for the remarks.
The film has also sparked debate over the Israel-Palestine conflict. Zegler has posted in support of Palestine, while her co-star Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, is Israel-born and an outspoken supporter of the Jewish nation.
Beyond the controversies, critics have been disappointed with the film itself. The Associated Press wrote, “Presumably one of the reasons to bring actors into remakes of animated classics would be to add a warm-blooded pulse to these characters. Zegler manages that, but everyone else in ‘Snow White’ – mortal or CGI – is as stiff as could be.”
The Huffington Post described the film as a “strange, hot mess,” while Vanity Fair chief critic Richard Lawson wrote, “Hm? What’s that? This Snow White is not a made-for-TV movie shot in Burbank but is instead a theatrically released feature film that cost upwards of $250 million to make? Oh. Oh dear.”
