Disney’s latest live-action adaptation, Snow White, debuted in theaters with a sluggish $43 million in domestic ticket sales, according to studio estimates released on Sunday.
The film, which was anticipated to be a major box-office hit, struggled to capture the magic of its animated predecessor. With a production budget exceeding $250 million, expectations had been high for Snow White to perform well, especially since it revisits one of Disney’s most iconic stories.
However, the film’s opening numbers indicate that audiences were less than enchanted.
The significance of Snow White to Disney’s legacy cannot be overstated. The original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, released in 1937, was the company’s first-ever animated feature, helping to establish Disney as a powerhouse in the film industry.
It was also instrumental in funding the studio’s historic Burbank lot. Given this rich history, the live-action remake was positioned as a tribute to Disney’s roots. However, the final product failed to deliver the fairy tale success that had been envisioned.
Much of Snow White’s troubles began long before its theatrical release. The film was plagued by controversy, particularly over its portrayal of the seven dwarfs, which were created using CGI instead of live-action actors.
Criticism also stemmed from comments made by the film’s lead actress, Rachel Zegler, which many perceived as dismissive of the original film’s legacy. The backlash surrounding these issues prompted Disney to scale back its promotional efforts, leading to a more muted premiere than initially planned.
Adding to the film’s woes were largely unfavorable reviews from critics. Snow White, directed by Marc Webb, received only a 43% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a clear indication that the adaptation failed to impress.
While some Disney remakes have performed well despite mixed reviews, Snow White appeared to struggle more than most. Critics pointed to a lack of emotional depth, an uninspired script, and questionable creative choices as reasons for the film’s lukewarm reception.
When compared to previous Disney live-action remakes, Snow White falls far behind in performance. Jon Favreau’s 2019 adaptation of The Lion King, despite receiving mixed reviews, still grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide.
Even Dumbo (2019), which was also not a massive success, opened with a slightly better $46 million. Meanwhile, Cinderella (2015) debuted with a much stronger $67.9 million. These comparisons highlight just how underwhelming Snow White’s opening numbers truly are.
Internationally, the film fared slightly better, adding $44.3 million from overseas markets. This brought its global total to $87.3 million—still a disappointing figure considering pre-release estimates had projected a worldwide opening closer to $100 million.
Just weeks before its release, industry analysts had even higher expectations, making Snow White’s underperformance even more concerning for Disney executives.
The film’s struggles raise broader questions about Disney’s ongoing strategy of revisiting its animated classics through live-action adaptations. While some remakes, like Beauty and the Beast (2017) and Aladdin (2019), have been box-office juggernauts, others have flopped, signaling potential franchise fatigue.
Despite this, Disney continues to push forward with upcoming live-action adaptations of Moana and Tangled, as well as Lilo & Stitch, which is set to premiere in May.
One of the key issues surrounding Snow White was Disney’s attempt to modernize the story, a move that was met with mixed reactions. Back in 2022, actor Peter Dinklage publicly criticized the film’s depiction of the dwarfs, calling it “backward.”
In response, Disney altered its approach, removing “and the Seven Dwarfs” from the title and opting for CGI-rendered characters instead.
Meanwhile, right-wing commentators seized on Zegler’s casting and comments, branding the film as overly “woke.” Production delays and expensive reshoots further drove up costs, adding to the film’s financial burden.
Despite these challenges, Disney has previously managed to turn slow starts into long-term box-office success. Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa: The Lion King initially opened with a modest $35.4 million domestically but ultimately went on to surpass $717 million worldwide.
Additionally, Snow White currently faces little direct competition in theaters, which could give it an opportunity to gradually build an audience.
Early audience reactions have been somewhat more positive than critics’, with the film earning a respectable “B+” CinemaScore from moviegoers.
Meanwhile, outside of Disney, other films also struggled at the box office over the weekend. Warner Bros.’ period gangster drama Alto Knights, starring Robert De Niro in dual roles, performed dismally, bringing in only $3.2 million from 2,651 theaters.
The film, directed by Barry Levinson and produced on a $45 million budget, was a significant misfire. Warner Bros. has now suffered back-to-back disappointments, following the poor performance of Bong Joon Ho’s sci-fi epic Mickey 17, which has only managed to earn $40.2 million domestically against its hefty $118 million budget.
Adding to the weekend’s struggles was the release of Magazine Dreams, starring Jonathan Majors as a mentally unstable aspiring bodybuilder.
The film was initially set to be distributed by Searchlight Pictures but was dropped after Majors was convicted of two misdemeanor counts of assault and harassment against his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari.
Instead, Briarcliff Entertainment picked up the film, which opened with just $700,000 across 815 locations. Majors avoided jail time but was sentenced to a year of probation, further complicating the film’s prospects.
The disappointing performance of Snow White and the other films released this weekend underscores the broader struggles facing Hollywood in 2025.
According to data from Comscore, the overall box office is down 6.9% from the previous year, with an even more dramatic 38.6% decline compared to 2019.
As the industry continues to grapple with shifting audience preferences, franchise fatigue, and the challenges of post-pandemic moviegoing, studios may need to rethink their strategies to regain their footing.
