Disney’s live-action Snow White flopped at the box office
It was another disappointing weekend at the box office in 2025. After a difficult period in March, marked by failures such as “Novocaine” and “Black Bag”, all hopes were pinned on Disney and its live-action remake of “Snow White” starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. Unfortunately, with just $43 million in receipts in the U.S. and $44.3 million internationally, the film fell far short of expectations for a production with a budget in excess of $250 million. Let’s take a look at the main reasons for this failure.
A lukewarm reception from the public
Audiences were not enchanted by this new version of “Snow White”. Despite a relatively decent audience score of 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film only achieved a CinemaScore of B+, which is insufficient for a blockbuster of this scale.
In a post-pandemic context where moviegoers are more selective in their movie releases, a reception that could be described as “bof” is not enough to attract crowds. Reviews have not been enthusiastic either, with an approval rate of just 44%. Without positive word-of-mouth, prospects for improved performance in the coming weeks appear limited.
An excessive production budget
With over $250 million invested in its production, “Snow White” suffers from an inordinate budget that condemns it to having to deliver exceptional performances to be profitable. By way of comparison, the live-action remake of “Cinderella” released in 2015 cost $95 million and generated $542 million at the global box office.
To break even, “Snow White” would have to earn around $600 million, a target that now seems out of reach. Years of production delays and reshoots have contributed to skyrocketing costs, as filming originally ended over two years ago.
Harmful controversies
The various controversies surrounding the film certainly hurt its reception. The casting of Rachel Zegler in the lead role triggered negative reactions on social networks, as did Zegler’s and Gal Gadot’s assertive political stances. Peter Dinklage also criticized the film’s portrayal of dwarves, further fueling the controversy.
The situation became so problematic that rumors of cancellation circulated in late 2023. Faced with this climate, Disney organized a low-key press tour and limited preview invitations, signs that the studio was already anticipating difficulties.
A less promising choice of tale
Not all Disney classics are equal in terms of commercial potential for a remake. 1937’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, while a milestone in animated film history, doesn’t enjoy the same recent nostalgia as 90s hits such as “Aladdin” or “The Lion King”. The latter have gone on to enjoy lucrative remakes, with Jon Favreau’s “The Lion King” even grossing over $1.6 billion.
Even “The Little Mermaid”, considered a moderate performer with its $569 million worldwide box office, far surpassed the debut of “Snow White”. To succeed with older tales, Disney must offer a truly innovative and exceptional vision, which was not the case here.
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Changing viewing habits
The problem goes far beyond “Snow White” and affects the film industry as a whole. Viewer habits have changed radically since the pandemic. With the rise of streaming, improved home cinema equipment and the rapid availability of films on VOD, audiences have become more selective about which films merit a theatrical release.
Box-office figures for 2025 are already lower than those for 2024, which in turn are lower than those for 2023, indicating a worrying trend. Productions that would once have been considered a safe bet are no longer so in this new consumer environment.
Conclusion
The box-office failure of “Snow White” is a perfect illustration of the challenges facing Disney and the film industry today. Beyond the film’s specific problems – over-budgeting, controversy and lukewarm reception – it reveals a deeper transformation in audience expectations and consumption patterns.
If live-action remakes are to continue to thrive, Disney will have to rethink its strategy: be more selective in its choice of titles to adapt, keep production budgets under control and, above all, offer versions that truly justify a theatrical release by virtue of their quality and originality. Without adapting to this new reality, even the most magical fairy tales will not be able to escape the harsh economic realities of contemporary cinema.
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A pop culture aficionado with a sharp eye for trends, Jason covers everything from Hollywood blockbusters to viral internet moments.