The recent release of Disney’s Snow White has quickly become a talking point for all the wrong reasons.
The live-action remake, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, hit cinemas last Friday, but rather than the anticipated excitement, it’s facing widespread criticism and a shockingly poor box office performance.
Controversial Updates Spark Backlash
From the outset, the film’s modern updates to the classic 1812 fairy tale sparked a wave of criticism.
Disney reimagined the Seven Dwarfs as a diverse group of “magical creatures” with varying heights, genders, and races.
This controversial move has been slammed by some, with Brian Viner from The Mail expressing frustration at Disney’s attempts to be overly inclusive, saying, “Disney’s contorted attempts not to offend anyone have somehow managed to offend everyone.”
Poor Cinema Bookings Reflect Audience Disinterest
One of the most shocking indicators of Snow White‘s failure is its dismal cinema bookings.
A social media post shared by a prospective moviegoer revealed that for a prime Friday night IMAX screening, only one ticket was sold.
To make matters worse, a Saturday night showing had zero tickets booked.
The post, which went viral with over 13 million views, showcased just how little interest the movie generated during its opening weekend.
Fans React to Empty Cinema Theaters
The post led to many others sharing similar stories, with some describing their cinemas as eerily empty.
“I have one better,” wrote one person, sharing an image from a near-empty Dolby Cinema showing.
The general consensus among fans seemed to be that the movie was simply not drawing in audiences.
Fans Share Their Disappointment
While the film’s lack of success at the box office is undeniable, the reception among those who did see it was mixed.
Friends Shannon and Chelsea, both in their twenties, were among those who were left disappointed, giving the movie just one star. “We didn’t like it,” said Shannon.
“It was really not fleshed out. They stuck to the original, but then they added so many bits that led absolutely nowhere.”
On the other hand, NHS worker Rachel Bulman gave the film a much higher rating of 4.5 stars.
“It didn’t take away from the story that says if you keep true to yourself, be kind and fair, then you can overcome anything,” she said, highlighting some of the positive themes that resonated with her.
Rachel Zegler’s Comments Stir Further Controversy
The remake has also faced backlash due to comments made by its lead actress, Rachel Zegler, particularly regarding the love story between Snow White and the prince.
Zegler expressed that the original focus on the prince stalking Snow White felt “weird,” and as a result, they chose to alter the romantic storyline in the remake.
Additionally, the absence of the beloved song “Someday My Prince Will Come” has disappointed many fans who were hoping for a nod to the classic Disney animation.
While the Snow White remake had the potential to bring something fresh to the table, its controversial changes and underwhelming performance have made it one of Disney’s most disappointing releases in recent years.