By 
‘Snow White’ Has Brutal Box Office Opening Weekend, Fails to Meet Expectations Despite Huge Budget
The bad press surrounding “Snow White” didn’t improve this weekend as the live-action adaptation of the Disney classic opened with a lackluster box office haul. Despite high expectations, the film struggled to make a significant impact at the box office, proving to be a financial disappointment for Disney.
Disappointing Box Office Performance
“Snow White” opened in the U.S. and Canada with just $43 million in ticket sales. While it managed to secure the top spot at the domestic box office, the numbers fell far below expectations, according to studio estimates reported by the Los Angeles Times. Given the movie’s enormous $250 million budget, its underwhelming debut has raised concerns.
Internationally, “Snow White” grossed $44 million, bringing its global total to $87 million for the opening weekend.
Comparison with Other Disney Live-Action Adaptations
By comparison, “The Lion King” (2019) opened with $191 million, and “Beauty and the Beast” (2017) raked in $174 million during its opening weekend. This stark contrast highlights the struggles faced by Disney’s latest attempt at a live-action remake.
Projections for the film’s opening were initially set around $85 million, but as the release date approached, industry analysts revised their expectations downward. Unfortunately, even these lowered projections weren’t met.
Controversies That Rocked Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Before Its Release
Critics and audiences have not been kind to “Snow White”, which currently holds a 44% Rotten Tomatoes score—indicating mostly negative reviews.
Rachel Zegler’s Controversial Comments
Some of the backlash surrounding the film stemmed from its lead actress, Rachel Zegler, whose past comments about the 1937 “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” movie sparked outrage. In a now-infamous red carpet interview, Zegler criticized the original film’s love story, stating:
“I mean, you know, the original cartoon came out in 1937 and very evidently so. There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird! Weird. So we didn’t do that this time.”
This statement alienated many Disney fans who felt the classic story was being unfairly dismissed.
Political Controversy and Backlash
Zegler also faced criticism for her anti-Trump statements on social media. She once posted a profane political comment wishing harm on Trump supporters, saying:
“May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace… F— Donald Trump.”
She later apologized, but the controversy continued to follow her and the film.
Changes to the Seven Dwarfs and Casting Criticism
Another source of controversy was the movie’s depiction of the Seven Dwarfs. Disney opted for a diverse ensemble cast, replacing traditional dwarf characters with non-dwarf actors of varying backgrounds. This move faced pushback from fans who felt it strayed too far from the original fairy tale.
Additionally, tensions arose between Zegler and her Israeli-born co-star Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen of Snow White. Zegler’s anti-Israel stance contrasted sharply with Gadot’s background, adding fuel to the controversy.
Critics Slam ‘Snow White’ for Poor Storytelling and Acting
Beyond the pre-release controversies, critics have panned “Snow White” for its uninspired storytelling and lackluster performances. Some of the most brutal reviews include:
- Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson wrote:
“Hm? What’s that? This Snow White is not a made-for-TV movie shot in Burbank but is instead a theatrically released feature film that cost upwards of $250 million to make? Oh. Oh dear.”
- The Associated Press criticized the film’s acting, saying:
“Presumably one of the reasons to bring actors into remakes of animated classics would be to add a warm-blooded pulse to these characters. Zegler manages that, but everyone else in ‘Snow White’—mortal or CGI—is as stiff as could be.”
- The Huffington Post described it as:
“A strange, hot mess.”
Snow White Movie Poster and Ticket Sales
Despite its struggles, Disney heavily promoted “Snow White” with new posters featuring the Evil Queen and Snow White. However, ticket sales failed to match the buzz. Even premium screenings, such as IMAX and Dolby Cinema, failed to boost numbers significantly.
Will Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Recover?
With such a rough start, it’s uncertain whether “Snow White” will recoup its massive budget. Disney will likely rely on international markets, Disney+ streaming releases, and merchandise sales to mitigate financial losses.
Key Takeaways:
- “Snow White” opened with just $43 million domestically—far below expectations.
- The film faced multiple controversies, including Rachel Zegler’s comments and political statements.
- Critics panned the film, calling it uninspired and poorly acted.
- Disney’s marketing efforts, including the “Snow White” movie poster and promotional events, didn’t translate to strong ticket sales.
Final Thoughts
The Evil Queen of Snow White may have been obsessed with being the fairest of them all, but this Disney live-action remake has proven to be far from a box office gem. Unless strong word-of-mouth miraculously saves it, “Snow White“ is on track to become one of Disney’s biggest live-action disappointments.
If you were planning to watch “Snow White”, are you still interested after all the controversies? Let us know in the comments!