## Mirror, Mirror on the Box Office Wall, Who’s the Biggest Flop of Them All? Disney’s live-action reboot of “Snow White” was supposed to be a fairytale ending. A cast of A-listers, a lavish budget, and a classic story ready for a modern twist – everything seemed set for a blockbuster hit. But the magic, it seems, didn’t translate to the box office. Early reports paint a grim picture for the film, with its debut weekend bringing in a paltry $43 million. Was this the poisoned apple that sank the production? We dive deep into the reasons behind this underwhelming performance, exploring whether this is a sign of changing audience tastes or a simple case of misplaced expectations.
Will “Snow White” Mark a New Low for Disney Remakes?
The Walt Disney Co.’s live-action remake of “Snow White” has opened in theaters with a disappointing $43 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates. With a budget above $250 million, the film had set out with higher ambitions, particularly since it returns Disney to its very origins.
The 1937 original “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was the company’s first animated feature, and paid for its Burbank studio lot. However, this “Snow White” struggled to find anything like a fairy tale ending. The runup to release was plagued by controversies over the film’s handling of the dwarfs, who are rendered in CGI, and backlashes over comments by its star, Rachel Zegler.
The PR headaches prompted Disney to pull back on its premiere. Also working against the film, directed by Marc Webb, were poor reviews. Critics were largely not impressed with Disney’s latest live-action remake, with reviews coming in just 43% “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes.
There’s been a wide variance between the box-office performance of other “live-action” Disney remakes, but “Snow White” might mark a new nadir. Jon Favreau’s photorealistic “The Lion King” (2019) didn’t have great reviews, either, but grossed more than $1.6 billion worldwide. “Snow White” opened worse than “Dumbo” (a $46 million opening in 2019) and well shy of “Cinderella” territory ($67.9 million in 2015).
Global Performance and Future Prospects
Overseas Box Office Adds $44.3 Million, But Falls Short of Expectations
Overseas, “Snow White” added $44.3 million for a global launch of $87.3 million. However, going into the weekend, “Snow White” had been eyeing a worldwide total closer to $100 million — and a few weeks back, expectations were significantly higher.
A Global Total of $87.3 Million, But Can It Recover?
The result will surely add to questions over Disney’s long-term strategy of mining its vault for live-action remakes. In the pipeline are upcoming new versions of “Moana” and “Tangled.” A live-action “Lilo & Stitch” launches in May.
Efforts to modernize “Snow White,” though, quickly ran afoul. In 2022, actor Peter Dinklage criticized the remake plans as “backward.” Disney ultimately opted to drop “and the Seven Dwarfs” from the original’s title, and animate the dwarfs. Some right-wing commentators targeted “Snow White” and Zegler’s casting as an overly “woke” production. Delays and reshoots also ran up costs.
Implications for Disney’s Live-Action Remake Strategy
Disney, though, has recently steered a handful of films from modest starts to enviable final hauls. The Barry Jenkins-directed “Mufasa: The Lion King” opened with $35.4 million domestically, but ultimately surpassed $717 million worldwide. “Snow White” will face little direct competition in the coming weeks.
Industry Implications and Competition
Warner Bros.’ “Alto Knights” Flops, While “Mickey 17” Struggles
Warner Bros.’ “Alto Knights,” a period gangster film starring Robert De Niro in both lead roles, was a total misfire. The Barry Levinson-directed film, which cost about $45 million to make, opened with just $3.2 million from 2,651 theaters.
The flop of “Alto Knights” followed another misfire for Warner Bros. with Bong Joon Ho’s big-budget sci-fi “Mickey 17.” In three weeks, it’s tallied $40.2 million domestically against a $118 million budget.
The State of the Box Office in 2025: A Rough Year for Hollywood
The disappointment-filled weekend added to a rough 2025 so far for Hollywood. The box office is down 6.9% from last year, according to data firm Comscore, and 38.6% from 2019.
Audience Reception and Critical Response
Audiences Give “Snow White” a “B+” CinemaScore
Audiences gave “Snow White” a “B+” CinemaScore. Warner Bros.’ “Alto Knights,” a period gangster film starring Robert De Niro in both lead roles, was a total misfire.
Critics Pan the Film, But Is There Hope for Redemption?
Critics were largely not impressed with Disney’s latest live-action remake, with reviews coming in just 43% “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Disney has recently steered a handful of films from modest starts to enviable final hauls.
What Went Wrong with Disney’s Latest Remake?
The PR headaches prompted Disney to pull back on its premiere. Also working against the film, directed by Marc Webb, were poor reviews. Efforts to modernize “Snow White,” though, quickly ran afoul.
Conclusion
Breaking: Snow White Stuns with Underwhelming $43 Million Box Office Debut
In a surprise move, Snow White, the highly anticipated Disney remake, has grossed a mere $43 million at the box office, leaving fans and critics alike scratching their heads. The film, touted as a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale, had been generating significant buzz and excitement in the leading-up to its release. However, the actual numbers paint a bleak picture, raising questions about the film’s commercial viability and its place in the Disney canon.
The box office debut of Snow White is a sobering reminder that not every remake or reimagining is a box office success. The film’s production budget was estimated to be substantial, with reports suggesting that it cost around $200 million to produce. Despite this, the film struggled to attract a significant audience, with many critics panning its weak storytelling, poor pacing, and lackluster performances. The film’s dismal performance has significant implications for the film industry as a whole, highlighting the challenges of adapting classic stories for modern audiences and the importance of carefully considering the production budget.
The fate of Snow White serves as a cautionary tale for filmmakers and studios alike. As the film industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing consumer preferences, studios must be mindful of the risks and rewards of investing in a particular project. The success or failure of a film is not solely determined by its box office numbers, but also by its cultural relevance, critical reception, and audience demand. Ultimately, Snow White’s underwhelming box office debut serves as a reminder that even the most ambitious and well-intentioned projects can fall short of expectations, leaving industry professionals to wonder what could have been.
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