Snow White (2025): Controversies, Box Office Failure, and Uncertainty!

The highly anticipated live-action version of Snow White, released in 2025, faced a number of challenges in winning over audiences and critics alike. Despite a star-studded cast — including Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot — and a reported budget of $240 to $270 million, the film struggled to resonate with viewers, both in theaters and online.

Below, we break down the main factors that contributed to the film’s disappointing performance.

Box office results fell short of expectations

Three weeks after its debut, the movie had grossed approximately $147.2 million worldwide, with $72 million coming from the U.S. market. By its third weekend, domestic revenue had dropped 66%, bringing in just $14.2 million — not nearly enough to cover production and marketing expenses.

According to Variety, at this rate, the film is unlikely to break even, which could lead to a considerable financial loss for Disney.

Audience feedback was equally harsh. On IMDb, the movie holds an average score of 1.6/10, with nearly 90% of users giving it the lowest possible rating. Critics echoed similar concerns, pointing to problems with the adapted script, lack of faithfulness to the source material, and creative decisions that felt underdeveloped.

Backlash following lead actress’s comments

Rachel Zegler, who portrayed the new Snow White, stirred controversy by stating that elements of the 1937 original felt outdated — using the infamous non-consensual kiss scene as an example. While she aimed to raise modern social concerns, her comments were met with skepticism and backlash from parts of the public.

Rumors also circulated about a lack of chemistry between Zegler and Gal Gadot, who played the Evil Queen. Their absence from joint promotional events and limited social media interaction only fueled the speculation.

Changes to classic characters sparked debate

Another controversial change was the replacement of the seven dwarfs with CGI-created characters, with only one actor with dwarfism involved in the project.

The intention was to modernize the film and avoid reinforcing stereotypes, but the move drew criticism for reducing the visibility of actors with dwarfism in major Hollywood productions.

Polarized response from both media and social media

According to Fandom Wire, the film faced backlash from both conservative and progressive viewers. Some accused it of pushing a forced political agenda, while others criticized its handling of social themes as shallow and ineffective.

A 90-year gap: nostalgia didn’t translate

Unlike more recent remakes such as The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast, which still hold strong nostalgic value, Snow White may not carry the same emotional weight for younger generations.

Behind-the-scenes controversy

Jonah Platt, son of producer Marc Platt, shared a now-deleted post on social media suggesting that the lead actress’s conduct may have negatively impacted the film’s marketing efforts. Though the comment was quickly removed, it sparked debate among fans and insiders about the behind-the-scenes challenges of promoting the film.

In response to Snow White’s disappointing reception, Disney has decided to pause production on its live-action remake of Tangled, which was in the early planning stages.

According to Fandom Wire, the decision is part of an internal reassessment of the studio’s adaptation strategy. While the cast had not been officially announced, rumors suggested Florence Pugh was a top contender for the role of Rapunzel.

This move may signal that Disney is rethinking its approach to live-action remakes of its classic animated films — especially in light of mounting criticism regarding casting choices, script revisions, and how sensitive topics are addressed. Audience reception is now playing a critical role in shaping the future of these projects.

The case of Snow White (2025) shows that the success of a remake depends on more than just a big budget and A-list talent. Viewers today are increasingly attentive to narrative quality, loyalty to the original, and how modern themes are integrated.

The film’s weak performance suggests that Disney’s live-action remake formula may be wearing thin. With so many releases coming one after another, fatigue is setting in — especially when there's a lack of balance between innovation, respect for the source material, and fan engagement.

All eyes are now on Disney’s next release, the much-anticipated Lilo & Stitch, set for May. In the meantime, Snow White stands as a cautionary tale — a moment of reflection for a studio at a crossroads.

See you in the next article!