Disney's theatrical releases, which previously dominated the box office with successes like Frozen (2013) and The Lion King (2019) remake, are now facing challenges. The studio's latest live-action remake, Snow White (2025), was supposed to be a massive success but is projected to lose over $100 million. This stark reality has forced Disney executives to confront a hard truth: audiences are no longer showing up for movies that seem to prioritize politics over storytelling.
The numbers tell a troubling story. Snow White cost around $270 million to produce, yet it’s unlikely to clear even $200 million globally. Insiders expect Disney to absorb a loss of at least $115 million, potentially more when factoring in marketing and distribution costs. This isn’t just a box office disappointment; it’s a signal flare indicating that the company may need to rethink its creative direction.
Following the failure of The Marvels, which also struggled at the box office with a $206 million worldwide gross, Disney had already begun making adjustments. They pulled back on oversaturated Marvel content and spaced out their release calendar. However, Snow White may have struck a deeper nerve because this was not just another franchise film. It was a remake of one of Disney’s most iconic properties, and a project like this should have been immune to underperformance.
Much of the frustration surrounding Snow White centered around its star, Rachel Zegler. In the months leading up to the film’s release, Zegler made headlines for openly criticizing the 1937 original, calling the love story “weird” and referring to Prince Charming as a “stalker.” She even stated that her character wouldn’t be dreaming about true love, but instead about becoming a leader. While Disney has made efforts in recent years to modernize its princesses, many longtime fans saw this as a bridge too far.
The backlash was swift and sustained. Despite Zegler eventually attempting to walk back her comments, the damage was done. Social media was flooded with clips of her interviews, and many potential moviegoers made it clear they weren’t interested in supporting a project that seemed to mock the source material. Critics even compared her pre-release press tour to Brie Larson’s lead-up to Captain Marvel, which also faced controversy due to its star’s public statements.
However, what sets Snow White apart is that the original film holds a foundational place in Disney’s legacy. It was Walt Disney’s first full-length animated feature and the cornerstone of everything that followed. To reimagine it in a way that seemingly disregards its roots was viewed by many as tone-deaf, and audiences responded with their wallets.
In the wake of this collapse, Disney has already paused development on the live-action Tangled remake. Insiders believe this is part of a broader reassessment of the company’s approach to storytelling. While the studio hasn’t made any sweeping public announcements, the message behind these decisions is becoming clear: the current formula isn’t working.
This doesn’t mean Disney is abandoning live-action remakes altogether. These projects still have potential when done with care and a genuine respect for the originals. However, it does suggest that the studio may finally be backing away from revisionist takes that alienate the fan base. Films that aim to “fix” or radically alter their source material under the banner of modern values may no longer be viewed as a safe bet.
Disney has always been at its best when it focuses on heartfelt storytelling, memorable characters, and themes that transcend time. The original Snow White remains beloved not because it checks boxes, but because it evokes emotion. Moving forward, audiences should expect a more careful approach from the studio—one that places story and legacy above agenda.
If The Marvels served as a wake-up call for Marvel Studios, Snow White might be the wake-up call for the rest of Disney. This time, it’s not about superheroes or shared universes; it’s about trust. If Disney wants to keep earning that trust from its audience, it needs to start listening. Audiences are asking for characters to root for, villains to fear, and endings that feel earned. The sooner Disney stops trying to rewire its classics and instead focuses on quality storytelling, the sooner the magic can return.
In chasing headlines, hashtags, and progressive reimaginings, the company forgot what made its stories resonate in the first place. If Snow White taught Disney anything this year, it’s that even a legacy character isn’t safe from failure when you forget who your audience is. The film brought in just $2.8 million in its fourth weekend, struggling to hit $200 million globally against its hefty budget.
As Disney reflects on the lessons learned from this experience, it may find that returning to its roots could be the key to reviving the magic that once defined the studio. With Snow White collapsing at the box office, the company may now be forced to re-center its focus and go back to making movies that feel like… well, Disney.
