Disney's much-anticipated live-action remake of Snow White has hit theaters, but its journey has been anything but smooth. Amid controversies over casting choices and backlash regarding the portrayal of beloved characters, the film's reception seems to reflect a stark divide among audiences and critics alike.
Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the movie debuted on March 20, 2025, to mixed results. Early reports indicated that the film raked in approximately $3.5 million during its preview nights, with projections suggesting that it could earn between $45 million to $55 million during its opening weekend. This performance falls short of initial expectations, which anticipated a debut closer to $50 million. For perspective, Disney's previous adaptation, The Little Mermaid, performed considerably better, grossing $95 million during its opening weekend in 2023.
The mixed reviews continue to pile onto the film, with a surprisingly low Rotten Tomatoes score of just 47%, marking it as one of the worst-rated Disney princess adaptations to date. Comparatively, other films in the live-action catalog like Cinderella, Mulan, and Beauty and the Beast achieved significantly higher scores, demonstrating that while audiences may be excited for new adventures, they are increasingly critical of the quality and relevance of these remakes.
The casting of Zegler has sparked considerable backlash, particularly given her Colombian heritage. Critics argued that the original fairytale presents a character defined predominantly by her fair skin, described in the story as "as white as snow." Zegler attempted to address these controversies, suggesting that the film offers a modernized perspective on the character: "There's a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird. So we didn't do that this time," she stated during an interview. Her remarks led many fans to question the integrity of the beloved narrative.
Additionally, Gadot found herself at the center of controversy after making political statements regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict. Her vocal support for Israel raised eyebrows and led to further discourse surrounding the film. Critics, including actor Peter Dinklage, lambasted Disney for trying to progress in some areas while simultaneously perpetuating outdated narratives, accusing the studio of hypocrisy.
Amidst the upheaval, reviews have varied, with some hailing Zegler's performance as a highlight. "It is a beautiful film to watch with children. I really appreciated the updates to the character of Snow White to someone who wants to lead her country, not just find true love," noted one reviewer, reflecting a more positive sentiment that some fans experienced.
Nevertheless, many professional reviewers did not hold back their criticism. Pittsburgh Magazine's Sean Collier simplistically stated, "In short: heigh-ho, don't go," denoting his discontent with the film. Other critics joined in the mix, describing the updated story only as a hollow shell of the original charm, lacking the sentimental resonance that Disney fans have come to expect.
As the audience demographic trends began to shift, it became evident that Snow White's appeal might rest heavily on family audiences, especially women under 35. Interest among this demographic has seen a decline, slipping from 58% to just 52% in recent weeks—a worrying sign for Disney given the heavy reliance on pre-teens and youngsters keen for enchanting adaptations on screen.
All of these elements converge to present a complicated picture for a film that had high hopes attached to it. Having cost over $270 million to produce, including marketing expenses, the financial stakes are considerable. As a result, the coming weekend will be pivotal in determining if Snow White can overcome its current hurdles or settle into a modest opening.
Despite negative reviews and box office struggles, some long-time Disney fans have remained optimistic. They assert that previous Disney films often gained traction with positive word-of-mouth after their releases. However, the current climate suggests that audiences may be looking for fresh storytelling rather than nostalgic remakes of classic tales.
As Disney navigates through this turbulent landscape, the broader trend of declining scores for live-action princess films cannot be ignored. Each new installment appears to garner lower reviews than the last, raising caution flags for those looking forward to upcoming adaptations like Moana.
In conclusion, while Snow White has finally made its way to the big screen, the overall reaction paints a troubling picture for Disney’s future live-action endeavors. As excitement wanes, industry observers are left wondering whether the effort to modernize classic tales will yield meaningful engagement or simply result in studio missteps.
