Disney’s highly anticipated live-action remake of Snow White is facing a difficult reception, with early box office figures and criticism from both audiences and critics signaling it may be one of the company’s lowest-performing films in recent years.
The movie, which features West Side Story star Rachel Zegler as the title character, has been plagued by controversy since its announcement, largely due to Zegler’s comments about the original 1937 animation and the absence of the beloved song “Someday My Prince Will Come.”
A Disappointing Opening and Underwhelming Reception
Early box office projections reveal a disappointing start for the remake.
The film made just $3.5 million in its Thursday previews and is estimated to gross between $45 to $55 million over its opening weekend.
This performance is considerably lower than the $95 million earned by Disney’s 2023 Little Mermaid remake.
Compared to previous Disney live-action remakes, Snow White’s opening numbers are underwhelming.
The 2019 Dumbo remake, which earned $45 million in its opening weekend, made $2.6 million during previews, but Snow White has cost Disney over $250 million to make, excluding marketing costs.
Backlash Over Casting and Story Changes
The film has faced criticism for a number of reasons, with one of the major points of contention being the casting of Rachel Zegler as Snow White.
Many critics took issue with Zegler, a Colombian-American actress, being cast in the role of Snow White, whose name in the original fairytale is based on her fair skin.
Zegler has defended the decision, explaining that in the new version, Snow White earns her name after surviving a snowstorm as a child.
The controversy deepened when Zegler criticized the 1937 animated film, calling it “dated” and pointing out its problematic portrayal of a love story between Snow White and a prince who she believes stalks her.
Although she later backpedaled, reassuring fans that the love story would still be important, this caused further backlash among Disney fans.
Criticism of the Film’s Performances and Design
The remake has also drawn negative reviews from critics.
With only 44% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, many have been harsh in their assessments.
The Guardian review called it a “pointless new live-action musical,” and a “merch enabling money machine,” while criticizing the film’s costume design and the performances of Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot as lackluster.
Vulture’s review echoed similar sentiments, labeling the film as “garishly ugly” and questioning whether it could resonate with its intended audience.
Meanwhile, a critic from the New York Post described the remake as a “pointless and awkward live-action automaton” that “vanishes from your mind the second it’s over.”
Mixed Reviews and Acknowledgement of the Controversy
Despite the negative response, some reviews have praised the film for its charm.
USA Today called the remake entertaining, while IndieWire referred to it as “a spirited and sweet spin on classic material.”
The film’s release has been a long time coming, especially after a whirlwind of media controversy surrounding its production.
Critics initially took issue with Disney’s casting choice for Snow White, and this was compounded by further backlash when Zegler criticized the original animation for being “dated” and “problematic.”
Divisive Figures and Shifting Storylines
Beyond Zegler, the remake has drawn criticism for its depiction of the Evil Queen, played by Gal Gadot.
Gadot, an Israeli actress, faced backlash for her outspoken support of Israel in the Gaza conflict, while Zegler’s public pro-Palestinian stance led to a divide between the two stars, further fueling the film’s controversy.
Disney’s attempts to appeal to a “woke” audience were also criticized by actor Peter Dinklage, who condemned the company’s decision to continue portraying the seven dwarfs in a problematic light.
In response to this, Disney rebranded the dwarfs as “magical creatures,” a move that was met with further skepticism.
Family of Original Director Speaks Out
The film has even faced criticism from those with a direct link to the original 1937 animation.
David Hale Hand, the son of the supervising director of the original Snow White, slammed the remake, calling it a departure from the original story and “so far off base that it’s ridiculous.”
His wife, Sandra Hand, shared similar concerns, claiming that the film’s shift into “woke politics” was a betrayal of the timeless classic.
Disney Scales Back Premiere Amid Controversy
In response to the mounting backlash, Disney opted to scale back the film’s premieres.
Instead of a traditional red carpet event, Snow White premiered in a remote castle in Segovia, Spain.
Sources close to the production claim that Zegler’s behavior at the event was “out of control,” with Disney unsure how to manage the situation.
Gadot, meanwhile, was noticeably absent, and the press were not invited to attend the premiere.
Despite the controversies surrounding Snow White, the film’s release marks the culmination of years of anticipation, with Disney struggling to find a balance between modernizing a beloved classic and staying true to the original’s legacy.