Disney’s latest live-action adaptation of Snow White has finally arrived in theaters, stirring both excitement and controversy among audiences worldwide. The reimagining of their groundbreaking 1937 animated classic marks another chapter in Disney’s ongoing strategy of revitalizing their beloved properties for new generations. With Rachel Zegler stepping into the iconic role of Snow White and Gal Gadot embodying the Evil Queen, this high-budget production has garnered significant attention for its box office performance, critical reception, and cultural relevance. This comprehensive analysis explores how the Snow White Disney movie is performing financially, what critics and audiences are saying, and how it compares to Disney’s previous live-action adaptations.
The Legacy of the Original Snow White Disney Movie
Before diving into the 2025 remake, it’s important to understand the historical significance of the original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Released in 1937, this groundbreaking film was Walt Disney’s first full-length animated feature and established the studio as a pioneering force in animation and storytelling. The original Snow White Disney movie was a tremendous risk for Walt Disney, with many industry insiders dubbing it “Disney’s Folly” due to its unprecedented production costs of $1.5 million – an enormous sum for the time.
This gamble paid off spectacularly. The film was an immediate box-office sensation and received extraordinary praise, including from acclaimed Russian director Sergey Eisenstein, who called it “the greatest movie ever made.” The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized its revolutionary impact with a special Oscar in 1939 – one normal-sized statuette accompanied by seven miniature ones.
When adjusted for inflation, the original Snow White Disney movie remains the highest-grossing animated film of all time, with an estimated adjusted gross of nearly $2 billion worldwide. This astonishing commercial success, coupled with its artistic achievements, cemented Snow White’s place as a cornerstone of Disney’s legacy and American popular culture.
From Fairy Tale to Screen
The story of Snow White originated in German folklore, with the most famous version published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. Their tale, titled “Sneewittchen,” contained many elements we recognize today: the magic mirror, the poisoned apple, the glass coffin, and the characters of the Evil Queen and the Seven Dwarfs.
Interestingly, the dwarfs remained nameless until a 1912 Broadway adaptation gave them the monikers Blick, Flick, Glick, Snick, Plick, Whick, and Quee. This Broadway production, which starred Marguerite Clark, later became a silent film in 1916 – a film that a 15-year-old Walt Disney watched and which would later inspire his animated adaptation.
Some historians have even suggested that the Snow White story may have real historical roots, potentially inspired by the countess Margaretha von Waldeck, a 16th-century noblewoman renowned for her beauty who died under mysterious circumstances in 1554.
The 2025 Snow White Disney Movie: Production and Cast
The 2025 live-action Snow White Disney movie represents one of Disney’s most expensive and ambitious remake projects to date. Directed by Marc Webb (known for “(500) Days of Summer” and “The Amazing Spider-Man”), the film reportedly underwent extensive reshoots that pushed its production budget well over $250 million. This substantial investment highlights both Disney’s commitment to the project and the financial stakes involved in its theatrical release.
Cast and Creative Team
At the center of the Snow White Disney movie is Rachel Zegler in the titular role. Zegler, who previously impressed audiences in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” and “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” brings her considerable vocal talents and charisma to the part of Snow White. Gal Gadot, best known for her portrayal of Wonder Woman, takes on the role of the Evil Queen.
Unlike the original animated classic, this version features a new romantic interest replacing the traditional Prince Charming character. Andrew Burnap plays Jonathan, a commoner who leads a group of singing and dancing thieves. This change represents one of several modern twists incorporated into the familiar fairy tale.
Erin Cressida Wilson penned the screenplay, infusing the classic story with themes of female empowerment and what one critic described as a “‘Les Mis’-inspired revolutionary spirit”. The film features a blend of classic songs from the original and new musical numbers composed specifically for this adaptation.
Box Office Performance: Opening Weekend and Projections
The Snow White Disney movie began its theatrical run with $3.5 million from Thursday preview screenings, positioning it for what analysts project will be a $45-55 million domestic opening weekend. While this represents a solid start, it falls considerably short of Disney’s 2023 remake of “The Little Mermaid,” which debuted with $95.5 million after earning $10.3 million in Thursday previews.
Industry analysts are closely watching the film’s performance, particularly given its substantial production budget exceeding $250 million, plus additional marketing expenses. For comparison, the Snow White Disney movie’s opening numbers appear more in line with Disney’s 2019 release “Dumbo,” which opened with $46 million after generating $2.6 million in Thursday previews.
International Performance and Global Outlook
Beyond domestic territories, the Snow White Disney movie is expected to generate approximately $50 million from international markets in its opening weekend, potentially bringing its global debut to around $100 million. This worldwide launch will be crucial in determining the film’s ultimate financial success.
For context, Disney’s recent release “Mufasa: The Lion King” opened with a modest $35.4 million domestically in December but went on to accumulate $252 million in North America and $716 million worldwide. The Snow White Disney movie will need to demonstrate similar staying power to achieve profitability given its considerable production costs.
Factors Affecting Box Office Performance
Several factors may influence the Snow White Disney movie’s commercial performance. Family attendance will be particularly critical, as noted by industry analysts who emphasize that the film’s success “really depends on whether families with daughters show up this weekend”.
Additionally, the movie’s critical reception may impact its box office longevity. With a “Rotten” 46% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 147 reviews (as of March 21, 2025), the film faces an uphill battle in terms of word-of-mouth recommendations. The audience score, which was not yet available at the time of writing, will also play a significant role in determining whether the Snow White Disney movie can maintain strong attendance beyond its opening weekend.
Critical Reception and Reviews
Critics have delivered mixed verdicts on the Snow White Disney movie, resulting in a 46% “Rotten” score on Rotten Tomatoes1. This places it among Disney’s less well-received live-action adaptations, though critical opinion has been divided rather than uniformly negative.
Professional Critics’ Assessment
Many reviewers have praised Rachel Zegler’s performance, noting that she “brings enough charisma and vocal strength to anchor this busy, lavishly produced film”. The New York Times characterized her portrayal as “sweet and spunky,” highlighting her ability to bring energy and personality to the iconic role.
Critics have been more divided on Gal Gadot’s performance as the Evil Queen, with some reviewers suggesting she delivers the role with “less expressiveness than the usual animated royal”. The film’s visual spectacle and production design have generally received positive mentions, though some have criticized the overall execution as feeling more like “a mediocre Disneyland play than an exciting fairytale”.
Story Modernization: Praise and Criticism
The Snow White Disney movie’s attempts to update the classic story for contemporary audiences have sparked both appreciation and criticism. Some reviewers have praised the film for addressing long-standing concerns about the original, noting that “you don’t need to be a patriarchy-smashing, fourth-wave feminist to admit that there are aspects of the original that could use some polish”.
As one Christian movie reviewer noted, many of the alterations “positively address criticisms Christians have leveled against Disney for decades, such as the promotion of superficial beauty and shallow, love-at-first-sight romance”. However, this same review suggested that while the changes themselves might be justified, “where Snow White goes awry is in its execution of those changes”.
Controversies Surrounding the Snow White Disney Movie
The path to theaters for this Snow White Disney movie has been marked by several controversies, beginning well before its release and continuing through its theatrical run. These debates have centered primarily on casting decisions and story changes.
Casting Debates
One of the most heated controversies involved the casting of Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress, in the role of Snow White. As the New York Times noted, this situation “has become a dishearteningly familiar display of prejudice and nonsensical chatter, particularly focused on the casting of Latina actress Zegler (‘West Side Story’), who was criticized by some for not being pale enough to portray the lead role”.
The reviewer pointedly added, “It’s worth noting that the character from 1937 is animated and, realistically, no one appears as white as snow unless they are in whiteface”. This controversy echoes similar debates that have surrounded other casting decisions in Disney’s live-action remakes and highlights ongoing tensions about representation in Hollywood.
Story Modernization and Traditional Values
Another significant area of contention involves the film’s approach to modernizing the classic fairy tale. Some conservative outlets have characterized the changes as “an assault on traditional values,” with some even “vowing to make their own ‘true’ version” of the story.
However, as one reviewer pointed out, the actual changes in the film are perhaps less radical than the controversy suggested: “Yet after years of controversy, it is almost anti-climactic that the film itself turns out to be…mostly fine?”. The review further noted that while Snow White has been reimagined as a more independent character who “no longer sings about a prince,” many “traditional themes still culminate in a joyful resolution”.
Comparison to Other Disney Live-Action Remakes
The Snow White Disney movie continues the studio’s strategy of reimagining their animated classics in live-action form, a trend that has yielded varying degrees of success both commercially and critically.
Box Office Comparisons
Based on opening weekend projections, the Snow White Disney movie appears to be performing at the lower mid-range of Disney’s live-action remakes. Its estimated $45-55 million opening falls well short of blockbuster performers like 2017’s “Beauty and the Beast” ($174.8 million opening) and 2019’s “The Lion King” ($191.8 million opening), positioning it closer to more modest performers like “Dumbo” ($46 million).
For a more recent comparison, the Snow White Disney movie is tracking below 2023’s “The Little Mermaid,” which opened with $95.5 million domestically. However, it appears to be outperforming Disney’s most recent offering, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which debuted with $35.4 million in December 2024 before demonstrating impressive staying power to reach $716 million worldwide.
Critical Reception Patterns
The 46% Rotten Tomatoes score places the Snow White Disney movie among the less critically successful Disney remakes. For comparison, “The Lion King” (2019) scored 52%, “Beauty and the Beast” (2017) earned 71%, and “Cinderella” (2015) received 83%. This continues a trend of diminishing critical returns for Disney’s live-action adaptations, with some exceptions.
Cultural Impact and Significance
The Snow White Disney movie represents a significant cultural moment, not just as an adaptation of a beloved classic but as a reflection of evolving storytelling approaches and audience expectations in the modern entertainment landscape.
Evolution of Princess Narratives
This adaptation reflects broader shifts in how princess characters are portrayed in contemporary media. The original 1937 Snow White marked the beginning of Disney’s princess canon, establishing many of the tropes and expectations that would define female protagonists in animated films for decades.
The 2025 version attempts to balance honoring this legacy while evolving the character for today’s audiences. As one reviewer noted, “In this new film, Snow White is portrayed simply as kind and spirited” but with an emphasis on her character rather than merely her appearance or romantic prospects.
Disney’s Representation Journey
The Snow White Disney movie also fits into Disney’s ongoing evolution regarding representation and cultural sensitivity. As the New York Times review contextualizes, “Critiques of Disney are hardly novel and have consistently emerged from both film reviewers and commentators across the political landscape”.
The review notes how Disney has continuously adjusted its approach to representation since introducing Jasmine in 1992’s “Aladdin” and Tiana in 2009’s “The Princess and the Frog,” often responding to criticism about stereotypes and cultural accuracy. The casting of Rachel Zegler as Snow White continues this journey of expanding representation in Disney’s iconic roles.
Future Implications for Disney’s Live-Action Strategy
The commercial and critical performance of the Snow White Disney movie carries significant implications for Disney’s ongoing strategy of reimagining their animated classics.
Declining Returns?
With a production budget exceeding $250 million and modest opening projections, the Snow White Disney movie continues a trend of increasing costs and potentially diminishing returns for these adaptations. This follows other recent underperformers like “The Marvels,” which one analysis compared to Snow White’s box office trajectory: “I’d compare it to The Marvels, which opened with $46 million before falling off the face of the Earth”.
If the Snow White Disney movie fails to demonstrate strong legs at the box office, it may prompt Disney to reconsider its approach to these high-budget remakes, potentially leading to more selective adaptation choices or budget adjustments for future projects.
Audience Expectations and Adaptation Philosophy
The mixed critical reception and controversies surrounding the Snow White Disney movie highlight the challenges in balancing fidelity to beloved classics with contemporary storytelling sensibilities. Disney continues to navigate between different audience expectations: fans who desire faithful recreations of the originals and newer viewers who expect updated social values and more diverse representation.
As one reviewer observed about the Snow White Disney movie, “this updated version of Snow White refreshes Disney’s interpretation of the Grimm fairy tale, infusing it with themes of female empowerment and a hint of ‘Les Mis’-inspired revolutionary spirit”. How audiences respond to these changes will likely influence Disney’s approach to future adaptations.
Conclusion: The Legacy and Future of the Snow White Disney Movie
The 2025 Snow White Disney movie represents a significant moment in Disney’s ongoing evolution. From Walt Disney’s groundbreaking gamble in 1937 to this latest high-budget reimagining, Snow White continues to serve as a mirror reflecting the studio’s artistic ambitions, commercial strategies, and cultural positioning.
With its impressive production values, talented cast, and attempts to modernize a classic tale, the Snow White Disney movie embodies both the possibilities and challenges of revisiting iconic stories for new generations. While its ultimate commercial fate remains to be written in the weeks following its release, the film has already secured its place in the ongoing conversation about how classic stories evolve to remain relevant while honoring their origins.
As Disney continues its journey of reimagining its animated classics, the Snow White Disney movie provides valuable lessons about audience expectations, cultural evolution, and the delicate balance between innovation and tradition. Whether viewed as a successful adaptation or a missed opportunity, it stands as a fascinating chapter in the ever-unfolding story of Disney’s relationship with its own legacy.
The Financial Future of Disney’s Live-Action Strategy
The financial performance of the Snow White Disney movie will be closely watched by industry analysts as an indicator of the continued viability of Disney’s live-action remake strategy. With a reported budget exceeding $250 million plus marketing costs, the film will need to demonstrate significant staying power to achieve profitability.
As one analysis bluntly stated: “If Snow White finishes with a $400M worldwide box office, it will still bomb, much like Captain America: Brave New World”. This assessment highlights the extraordinary financial pressure these high-budget adaptations face in today’s challenging theatrical landscape.
Whether the Snow White Disney movie proves to be a financial success or disappointment, it represents an important data point in Disney’s ongoing evaluation of its adaptation strategy – a strategy that has yielded both spectacular hits and notable misses over the past decade. As the studio looks to the future, the lessons learned from Snow White will undoubtedly influence its approach to the numerous additional remakes currently in various stages of development.
