Disney's live-action adaptation of "Snow White," starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has finally made its debut on the OTT platform JioHotstar as of June 11, 2025, offering audiences a chance to revisit the classic fairytale in a new light. Despite its lavish production and star-studded cast, the film’s journey from theatrical release to streaming has been anything but smooth.
With an eye-popping budget estimated between $240 million and $270 million (roughly ₹2000-2250 crore), "Snow White" ranks among Disney's most expensive live-action ventures. The production boasts stunning visuals and captivating musical sequences, aiming to enchant viewers across multiple languages including English, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, thereby reaching a pan-India audience. Yet, the film’s initial reception painted a starkly different picture.
Released in early 2025, the movie quickly became infamous as one of the biggest box office bombs in cinematic history. Critics and audiences alike were quick to point out numerous flaws that plagued the film from start to finish. Heavy reliance on subpar CGI created a fake and uneven visual atmosphere, with lighting that swung awkwardly between overly glowing scenes and desaturated, cold hues. Rather than immersing viewers in a magical world, the effects often distracted and detracted from the story.
Costuming also drew sharp criticism, notably Rachel Zegler's wig, which many likened to the character Lord Farquaad from "Shrek," undermining her portrayal of the titular character. The film's attempt to modernize Snow White’s story included a voice-over clarification that she was named not for her skin being "white as snow," but because she was born during a blizzard—a choice that did little to quell confusion or criticism.
Performances across the board failed to impress. Zegler, despite her vocal talents, struggled to convey warmth or charm, often appearing as if she was merely acting rather than embodying the character. Gal Gadot, cast as the Queen, delivered a similarly underwhelming performance, hindered by poor dialogue and overproduced, autotuned songs that lacked memorability and emotional impact. The musical elements, intended to elevate the film, instead contributed to its uneven tone.
Editing issues further complicated the movie’s narrative flow. Choppy cuts and inconsistent pacing suggested extensive reshoots and rewrites, which muddled character motivations and plot coherence. For instance, Snow White’s sudden costume changes and the inconsistent portrayal of her royal background left audiences puzzled. The dwarfs, iconic to the original tale, were relegated to marginal roles with little significance, and their redesigned appearances sparked unease among viewers. The climax fizzled out without the dramatic confrontation audiences anticipated, ending the film on a lackluster note.
Political controversy also shadowed the film’s release. Rachel Zegler’s outspoken comments, including a post-election statement wishing that supporters of former President Donald Trump would "never know peace," alienated some viewers. Additionally, the film’s early marketing hinted at a "girlboss" reimagining of Snow White, stripping away the traditional love story to present a more independent heroine. However, reshoots appear to have softened this approach, reincorporating a romance subplot, though the execution remained clumsy.
Despite these setbacks, Disney’s decision to release "Snow White" on JioHotstar offers the film a second chance to find its audience. The OTT release allows viewers to experience the movie from the comfort of their homes, potentially reaching a wider demographic than the theatrical run. Disney hopes this move will help recoup some of the financial losses and perhaps shift public perception.
Fans eager to witness the lavish production and musical spectacle can stream "Snow White" in multiple languages, making it accessible to a broad spectrum of viewers across India and beyond. Whether the film will gain appreciation on OTT or remain a cautionary tale of big-budget missteps remains to be seen.
Ultimately, "Snow White" serves as a striking example of how high expectations and heavy investment do not always guarantee success. The film's troubled production, political entanglements, and technical shortcomings overshadowed its potential, leaving it as a polarizing entry in Disney’s live-action catalogue.
As the streaming release unfolds, audiences have the opportunity to form their own opinions on this ambitious yet flawed retelling. For now, "Snow White" stands as a reminder of the challenges faced when classic stories are reimagined for modern sensibilities.
