Disney's live-action adaptation of the classic tale "Snow White" has hit theaters amid a swirl of controversies and a rocky box office performance. Released on March 20, 2025, in North America and globally on March 21, the film features Rachel Zegler as the titular character and Gal Gadot as the menacing Evil Queen. Despite its star-studded cast and significant production budget estimated between $250 million to $270 million, audience reactions have been less than enthusiastic.
The film aimed to recapture the magic of the original 1937 animated classic, but it seems to have faced an uphill battle since its inception. Critics have been particularly vocal about Rachel Zegler's casting, stirring debate over representation and merit. Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, faced immense backlash from some corners who claimed her casting was a reflection of "wokeness."
She went on to reveal the personal toll this controversy took on her, stating, "There was a lot of harassment - people – they were showing up at my apartment and screaming profanities," as reported in Cosmopolitan.
The controversies didn’t end there. Gadot's portrayal of the Evil Queen, a character many hold dear from childhood, drew criticism from pro-Palestinian groups due to her ties with the Israeli Defense Forces. The film's reimagining of Snow White's character—moving her away from traditional fairy-tale tropes like waiting for a prince—also sparked discontent across the political spectrum. During a presentation at D23 in 2022, Zegler explained, "She’s not going to be saved by the prince or dreaming about true love," which angered traditionalists and fans of the original story.
Upon its release, "Snow White" faced disappointing box office numbers, particularly in international markets. It opened with only $255,000 in its first day in China, underperforming even against local competitors like "Ne Zha 2," which had a much stronger showing in its eighth week of release. Comparatively, Thursday previews in North America netted only $3.5 million, less than the openings of other recent Disney live-action adaptations, such as "Mufasa: The Lion King" and "Aladdin."
This raises the alarm for Disney, especially as projections for the opening weekend in North America are modest—between $45 million and $50 million.
In Europe, the box office results were equally underwhelming. France saw the film debut to just $480,000, while Italy reported a dismal $378,000 opening. Reviews have been generally lukewarm, with one critic noting the film scored only 5.4 on Rotten Tomatoes, one of Disney’s lowest ratings in recent history. The word of mouth has also been troubling, drawing in just 1.8 stars from critics, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction.
Production troubles further clouded the film's prospects. Originally slated for a 2024 release, ongoing issues including script delays, directing changes, and the writers' and actors' strikes pushed the project back, leading Disney to scale back the premiere just days before its arrival in theaters. Ticket sales opened just two weeks prior to release, contrasting sharply with earlier films like "The Little Mermaid," which benefitted from much longer marketing windows.
Despite beginning as what seemed to be a promising venture back in 2016, the path to release for "Snow White" has been littered with hurdles. Critics point to Zegler's controversial remarks regarding the source material as indicative of a disconnect between the creative choices and audience expectations.
Many audience members and fans have voiced their frustrations openly online, questioning whether "Snow White" can truly bridge the gap between modern sensibilities and the nostalgia of its classic predecessor. The outcry directed at both Zegler and Gadot has been emblematic of larger societal debates around representation in Hollywood, making the film not just a simple reimagining of a beloved fairy tale but a focal point in discussions of cultural identity and artistic integrity.
As the industry watches closely, the future of "Snow White" appears uncertain. Will it turn things around and capture the hearts of audiences, or will it remain a cautionary tale of creative missteps and misaligned expectations? The answer may determine the feasibility of future projects in Disney's live-action line-up.
In the coming weeks, as box office projections update and audiences weigh in, it will become clear whether this version of "Snow White" can find its footing amongst Disney's celebrated pantheon of stories or if it will slide into obscurity as one of the studio's lowest-performing releases.
Only time will tell if the reimagined heartfelt journey of Snow White will ultimately resonate, or if the sparks of controversy will overshadow the tale, leaving audiences wanting for something that connects deeper with what they remember and cherish from childhood.
