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Date: 04-apr-2025
Image Credit: IMDB
Disney’s latest live-action remake, Snow White, has struggled to meet box office expectations following its global release in late March 2025. Starring Rachel Zegler as the titular character and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the film has sparked debate across Hollywood and international media, with both creative decisions and early box office numbers under intense scrutiny.
The film reportedly had a production budget exceeding $200 million, but early estimates show that opening weekend revenues fell well below projections. Even in key markets such as North America, the UK, and Australia, ticket sales have lagged behind other recent Disney remakes.
Industry analysts point to several factors: a competitive release window, critical reviews that called the film “visually striking but thematically confused,” and a social media storm that began months before the premiere.
Controversy began during the production phase when Disney announced a new take on the classic fairy tale. The decision to modernize certain elements—including casting, character arcs, and updated messaging—divided audiences. Online discussions intensified after Rachel Zegler’s comments about rejecting the traditional “princess waits for prince” storyline, which many interpreted as a criticism of the original film.
Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen has been more warmly received, with critics praising her screen presence, but even that hasn't been enough to turn around the film’s overall reception.
In international markets, the reaction has been mixed. While some viewers applauded Disney’s attempt to reimagine its legacy stories, others found the adaptation disconnected from the charm of the original 1937 classic.
Countries like Germany and France—where fairy tales have deep cultural roots—saw strong opinions both in support and opposition to the film’s tone and design. In contrast, markets in Latin America responded positively to Zegler’s casting but showed weaker ticket sales overall.
Disney has been banking on live-action remakes as a key pillar of its content strategy. Previous successes like *The Lion King* and *Aladdin* set high standards both financially and culturally. The challenges faced by *Snow White* may influence how the studio approaches its next slate of adaptations.
It remains to be seen whether *Snow White* will gain traction in later weeks through streaming, international legs, or a cult following. For now, it serves as a reminder that even the most iconic titles need careful handling in a fast-changing audience landscape.
04 Apr 2025
