Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Crashes with $87.3M Opening, Nowhere Near Its $250M Budget

Disney’s live-action adaptation of Snow White has suffered a disastrous opening weekend at the global box office, earning only $87.3 million worldwide. With a staggering $250 million production budget, which some reports suggest could be closer to $300 million after reshoots and marketing costs, the film is on track to become one of Disney’s biggest box office bombs in recent history.

A Lackluster Box Office Performance

Despite Disney’s high hopes for Snow White, the film opened to an underwhelming $43 million domestically, with an additional $44.3 million internationally. This weak debut falls far below expectations, as industry experts initially predicted a much stronger turnout for the high-profile remake. For a film of this scale to be considered successful, it would need to gross at least $700 million worldwide to break even. However, given its sluggish start and negative reception, it seems unlikely that Snow White will come close to that mark.

For comparison, Disney’s 2017 live-action Beauty and the Beast opened with $174 million domestically and went on to gross $1.26 billion globally. Even The Little Mermaid in 2023, which faced its own controversy, managed a $95 million domestic opening, a number that Snow White has failed to reach on a global scale.

Audience Backlash and Controversy

Unlike previous live-action remakes, Snow White was already facing an uphill battle due to intense backlash from fans and critics alike. The controversy surrounding the film began long before its release, primarily due to Rachel Zegler’s public statements and the film’s drastic changes from the 1937 Disney classic.

Rachel Zegler’s Polarizing Comments

One of the biggest PR disasters for Snow White was Rachel Zegler’s repeated criticism of the original 1937 film. In interviews, Zegler stated that the original Snow White was outdated and problematic, claiming the story was “weird” and that Prince Charming was essentially a “stalker.” She further alienated audiences by saying, “It’s no longer 1937. Snow White is not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love.”

These comments angered Disney fans, who saw them as disrespectful to the company’s legacy. Instead of honoring the beloved original, the film seemed determined to distance itself from the classic tale, which led to fans boycotting the film before it even hit theaters.

The Seven Dwarfs Controversy

Another major controversy stemmed from Disney’s decision to replace the Seven Dwarfs with a diverse group of CGI-enhanced characters. The move was meant to be a response to actor Peter Dinklage’s criticism of the original film’s portrayal of dwarfs, but it only led to more backlash. Many felt that Disney was making unnecessary changes to appease modern sensitivities while alienating long-time fans of the story.

Gal Gadot’s Critically-Panned Performance as the Evil Queen

While Snow White was primarily marketed around Rachel Zegler’s controversial portrayal of the titular character, Gal Gadot’s performance as the Evil Queen has also been widely criticized. The Wonder Woman actress, who was one of the film’s biggest draws, failed to impress both critics and audiences with her portrayal of the iconic villain.

Gadot’s flat, uninspired performance has been described as one of the film’s weakest elements. Her delivery was widely mocked for sounding forced and unnatural, with many questioning why she was cast in such a demanding role.

Critics noted that Gadot’s signature accent made it difficult for her to deliver lines convincingly, leading to an unintentionally humorous and unthreatening version of the Evil Queen. Unlike past live-action Disney villains, such as Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent or Cate Blanchett’s Lady Tremaine, Gadot’s performance lacked the gravitas needed to make the Queen a formidable antagonist.

Critical Reception: A Rotten Tomatoes Disaster

If its box office failure was not bad enough, Snow White has also been trashed by critics and audiences alike. The film currently holds a 43 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, while its audience score is even lower at 24 percent, one of the worst ratings for a Disney live-action film in recent history.

Reviewers have criticized the film for its lack of charm, poor writing, and lifeless performances. Many noted that, despite its massive budget, Snow White feels visually uninspired, with subpar CGI and uninventive set designs. Others called the film a soulless attempt at modernizing a classic story, which ultimately alienated both old fans and new audiences.

Highlights from Critics’ Reviews:

• “A joyless reimagining that fails to capture the magic of the original.” – The Hollywood Reporter
• “Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot have zero chemistry, making the conflict between Snow White and the Evil Queen completely forgettable.” – Variety
• “A misguided, unnecessary remake that does more harm than good to Disney’s legacy.” – IGN

Financial Disaster: A Huge Blow for Disney

Disney has had a string of box office failures in recent years, and Snow White only adds to the company’s growing list of disappointments. After The Marvels in 2023 and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in 2023 both underperformed, Snow White was expected to be a return to form. Instead, it has become a financial disaster.

With the film unlikely to make back its massive budget, Disney will be forced to reevaluate its approach to live-action remakes. Fans have become increasingly frustrated with the company’s tendency to modernize classic stories in ways that feel forced and unnecessary.

A Remake Nobody Wanted

Disney’s Snow White has proven to be one of the biggest missteps in the company’s recent history. Between Rachel Zegler’s controversial comments, Gal Gadot’s lackluster performance, and a box office performance that signals an impending financial loss, it is clear that audiences were never sold on this reimagining.

If Disney does not change course soon, it risks further alienating its core audience, many of whom have grown tired of seeing beloved classics being reworked into uninspired, politically-driven failures.

With this disastrous opening weekend, Snow White is unlikely to have the happily ever after that Disney was hoping for.