Disney's latest live-action adaptation, Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has debuted amid a flurry of mixed reviews and public controversy. As projections indicate, the film is expected to earn around $45.5 million by the end of its opening weekend, claiming the top spot over new competitors such as The Alto Knights and Magazine Dreams. While Snow White faces challenges from its substantial production budget estimated at between $240 million and $270 million, experts suggest its break-even point could easily surpass $600 million due to various costs associated with marketing and distribution.
Originally released on March 21, 2025, the movie faced significant scrutiny even before it hit theaters. Social media has been rife with discussion regarding its casting choices, particularly regarding Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, and the film’s reimagined portrayal of the classic Disney fairy tale. Critics have noted that the movie's occupancy rates in theaters were disappointing, especially considering its sizable budget and the expectations surrounding a Disney title.
In India, the film's initial earnings were lackluster, opening with a mere ₹0.65 crores and accumulating ₹1.71 crores after two days in theaters. The Indian audience's reception appears mixed as well, with occupancy for English-language screenings at 11.14% and Hindi screenings slightly lower at 6.47%. Following a 83.08% rise in revenue on its second day of screening, it collected ₹1.19 crore, an improvement appreciated by cast and crew but still far from stunning. A significant cut of critics’ reactions revealed a B+ CinemaScore, indicating mediocre reception, especially within the context of Disney’s rich history of animated and live-action fare.
Comparatively, Snow White has struggled to match the performance of previous live-action adaptations. Disney's past successes like The Jungle Book and Beauty and the Beast enjoyed opening weekends that topped over $170 million. The current projections signify a stark decline from the near $96 million earned by 2023's The Little Mermaid during its opening weekend. The stark reality suggests that without considerable luck in subsequent weeks, Snow White may find difficulty reaching profitability.
It encountered reaction due to the shifting dynamics in storytelling, as the filmmakers sought to modernize the narrative of a tale that enchanted audiences for decades. Focused on Snow White reclaiming her throne with the aid of not just seven dwarfs, but also improvising a character named Jonathan, the story’s core essence seems tangential to some reviewers’ perspectives who have critiqued its plot depth.
Critics on social media offered a mixed bag of reviews; some applauded the film for its “visually stunning” aesthetics, while others labeled it as lacking substance and dimension. ”It’s more a collage of colors than a coherent narrative,” said one reviewer, highlighting the dichotomy in audience enjoyment. This polarization in public opinion reflects a myriad of expectations set by Disney over the years, where past projects had delivered sympathy and weight that may be perceived as lacking in this iteration.
The film's premiere was marred by controversy as the cast members, Zegler and Gadot, entered debates surrounding geopolitical matters, which led to their public image looping into discussions beyond the cinematic universe. Gadot’s background as an Israeli accompanied critiques of her statements on the Gaza conflict, whilst Zegler has faced backlash for her open support of the Palestinian cause. These discussions have undoubtedly overshadowed the film’s artistic merits and impacted the promotional cycle severely.
Adding to its struggles, a discontent among ‘little people’ actors about the representation of dwarfs in the film led them to consider a lawsuit against Disney for their reliance on CGI characters rather than casting or utilizing actors with dwarfism. This controversy has underlined the tensions within the film, serving as a reminder of the diverse conversations surrounding Hollywood depictions and sensitivity.
Despite the drop in collective earnings from the broader industry perspective, Snow White’s debut weekend does present a silver lining as it maintains the title of the second-highest-grossing film opening of the year, just behind Captain America: Brave New World’s substantial $88.8 million. It offers a glimmer of hope amid otherwise challenging projections. The domestic gross has accrued almost $45 million, matching the previous weekend's combined total earnings for the top 10 films.
The weekend's revenues signal signs of improvement in the overall box office landscape, which experienced declines in previous months. The stark contrast in recent weeks shows theaters' gradual recovery, pivotal for an industry that has endured many challenges since the pandemic. Snow White's potential profitability looks grim, but its immediate impacts may cater to a broader recovery.
In sum, while Snow White is on the path to break records in numbers, its broader implications and audience reception suggest that this is just the beginning, and how figures pan out in the coming weeks will ultimately define its growing legacy in Disney's ongoing narrative of reimagining their classics. Audience reactions, box office performance, and the resolution of notable controversies remain critical to this tale’s unfolding narrative.
