Disney's Snow White Remake Faces Massive Failure with Disastrous Box Office and Scathing Reviews

Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White is proving to be one of the studio’s most significant failures in recent years, both at the box office and in critical reception. The once-beloved animated classic has been reimagined in a controversial “woke” style, leaving audiences and critics with a bitter taste.

From disappointing box office figures to scathing reviews, Snow White is fast becoming a symbol of Disney’s struggle with modernizing its classic stories while staying true to what made them so timeless in the first place.

The controversy surrounding the movie began long before its release. Rachel Zegler, who plays Snow White, has been at the center of several provocative statements, which sparked outrage even before the film hit theaters.

The criticism grew when it was revealed that the iconic song "Someday My Prince Will Come" would be excluded from the live-action version, a decision that seemed to alienate long-time fans of the original 1937 animated film. Fans were left wondering if Disney had lost touch with the very essence of its beloved classic tales.

As the first box office results came in, the numbers were far from encouraging. The film earned only $3.5 million in Thursday previews, and its opening weekend projections are now ranging between a disappointing $45 million and $55 million.

This figure is significantly lower than the earnings of Disney’s The Little Mermaid remake, which grossed $95 million in its opening weekend in 2023. Even Dumbo (2019), which had its own share of challenges, grossed $45 million in its opening weekend despite having much lower production costs.

Snow White, on the other hand, had a massive budget of over $250 million (excluding marketing), putting even more pressure on the film to perform well. With such a high cost and lackluster earnings, Disney now faces a financial burden, and many are questioning whether the film’s attempt at reinterpreting its classic stories is worth the price.

Despite Snow White earning more than Disney’s Cinderella remake in preview earnings ($2.3 million), the overall reception of the film has been overwhelmingly negative. Critical reviews have been harsh, with the film holding a paltry 44 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have been vocal about their disappointment, offering scathing assessments of the film’s narrative, performances, and overall execution.

A review from Daily Mail’s Brian Viner called the film a "painfully muddle-headed affair," criticizing the studio’s attempts to appease all audiences, which, in turn, managed to offend nearly everyone. Viner took particular issue with the decision to use computer-generated imagery (CGI) to create the dwarves, instead of casting actors, which he argued robbed little people of an opportunity to participate in the project. Disney’s attempt to be more “woke” led them to rebrand the dwarves as "magical creatures," a move that left many scratching their heads.

The decision to abandon the traditional portrayal of the dwarves was not well-received by critics or audiences. It has been widely considered a misguided attempt to cater to the politically correct crowd, undermining the heart and spirit of the original tale.

By replacing a group of iconic characters with nameless, CGI creatures, Disney’s remake has unintentionally stripped away the charm and soul that made the original Snow White so endearing.

Other reviews have been equally critical. The Times of London referred to the remake as "a new low for cultural desecration" and expressed disappointment in Disney’s treatment of its source material. The review blasted Disney for turning its once-venerated franchise into a cash-grab rather than a celebration of its rich history.

The film’s treatment of its iconic legacy seemed to come across as condescending, with critics arguing that Disney had lost its way in its pursuit of modern relevance.

The Guardian’s review was equally unflattering, calling the remake a "pointless new live-action musical" and a "merch enabling money machine." The review lambasted the performances of lead actors Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, claiming they delivered the "dullest performances of their lives."

The costumes, too, came under fire, with critics describing them as garish and unattractive. It was clear that Snow White was not the charming fairy tale adaptation many had hoped for.

In fact, even Disney’s attempt to bring fresh music to the film fell flat. New songs by composers Pasek and Paul were described as "smooth and unremarkable," leaving the film without a musical identity. This lack of memorable music, combined with the film’s incoherent plot and lackluster performances, has led many to describe Snow White as forgettable. The film has been accused of being nothing more than a hollow, commercialized version of a classic story.

Vulture’s review echoed many of these sentiments, describing Snow White as "a pointless and awkward live-action automaton" that "vanishes from your mind the second it’s over." The review pointed out the film’s lack of lasting impact and lamented how the original, a groundbreaking achievement in animation, had been turned into something unremarkable and soulless.

With critics dismissing the film as a mere money-making machine, it is evident that Disney's attempt to revitalize its classic films is falling short.

Snow White’s failure has raised broader questions about Disney’s approach to its live-action remakes. With a growing demand for representation and inclusivity, Disney seems to have overcorrected in its attempt to cater to a more progressive audience. However, this has resulted in alienating long-time fans who cherished the original films. As the box office returns reflect, it appears that audiences are not as receptive to these changes as Disney had hoped.

In conclusion, Disney’s Snow White remake is shaping up to be a major disappointment. From the controversy surrounding its lead actress’s comments to its poor box office performance and critical drubbing, the film has failed to capture the magic of its animated predecessor.

Instead of reigniting the joy and nostalgia associated with the original, it has only highlighted the challenges Disney faces in navigating modern tastes and expectations. This failure serves as a reminder that even the most powerful entertainment companies must tread carefully when reimagining their classic stories, as modernizing these tales does not always guarantee success.