Disney's highly anticipated remake of "Snow White" has concluded its theatrical run, grossing only $200 million against a staggering production budget of $270 million, with some reports suggesting costs could be as high as $350 million. As a result, the company is now pivoting to digital and physical releases in an attempt to recuperate its losses.
The film, which stars Rachel Zegler as the titular character and Gal Gadot as the evil queen, will be available for digital streaming on May 13, 2025, across platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV. A physical release in 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD formats is scheduled for June 24, 2025. Disney has promised additional content for home media buyers, including deleted scenes, outtakes, and commentary on the film's music, decorations, and costumes.
Despite its star-studded cast and the nostalgic weight of the original 1937 animated classic, "Snow White" faced numerous challenges during production. Issues included extensive reshoots, strikes, and even a fire on set. The film's lead, Rachel Zegler, drew criticism for her comments about the original film, stating that she did not like it and controversially referred to the prince as a "stalker." Her remarks, coupled with her pro-Palestinian stance, allegedly led to tensions with co-star Gal Gadot, who is Israeli.
The film debuted in theaters on March 21, 2025, and while it initially grossed $42.2 million in its opening weekend, it quickly fell behind competitors. Notably, Jason Statham's action movie and a Minecraft adaptation surpassed "Snow White" in box office earnings, with the latter earning $162 million in its premiere weekend alone—more than double what "Snow White" collected domestically.
Critical reception has been equally disheartening. The film earned a B+ rating on CinemaScore, but its Rotten Tomatoes score languished at a dismal 44%. IMDb even had to hide its rating after it plummeted to 2.3 out of 10, reflecting the negative sentiment from both audiences and critics alike.
As Disney grapples with the fallout from this release, the studio has already halted work on another remake, "Rapunzel," which was in active development. This decision signals a potential shift in strategy as the company reassesses its approach to live-action adaptations of its animated classics.
In light of these developments, the upcoming digital and physical releases of "Snow White" may serve as a last-ditch effort to salvage the project financially. With the added bonus content, Disney hopes to entice viewers who may have been put off by the film's troubled production and poor box office performance.
The film's storyline, based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, follows a young princess who hides from her wicked stepmother in the company of seven dwarfs. This classic tale has been a staple of children's literature for generations, making the remake's failure all the more surprising.
As the release dates approach, many are left wondering about the future of Disney's live-action adaptations. With the mixed results of "Snow White" and the shelving of other projects, fans and industry observers alike are keen to see how the studio will navigate this challenging landscape.
Overall, the release of "Snow White" serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of high expectations and the challenges of modern filmmaking. As Disney prepares for its digital launch, the company will undoubtedly be hoping for a turnaround in fortune, but the road ahead looks uncertain.
