Disney’s Live-Action Snow White Faces Backlash and Box Office Success

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Disney‘s latest live-action remake of the classic animated film Snow White hit theaters on March 20, 2025, amidst a maelstrom of controversy and mixed reviews. The film, starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, has garnered significant attention for its casting choices and modifications to the original story, sparking debates before its release.

In its opening weekend, Snow White topped the North American box office, grossing an estimated $43 million domestically and $87.3 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. Despite criticism regarding its marketing strategy and production choices, including a lack of personal press opportunities, audiences appeared drawn to the film.

Leading up to the film’s premiere, Zegler faced backlash for comments made concerning the film’s outdated narrative, referring to the character’s interactions with the prince as “stalking.” Additionally, controversy surrounded the portrayal of the dwarves, who, instead of being played by little people, were depicted through CGI, raising concerns among disability advocates.

“It’s disappointing to see a missed opportunity for actors with dwarfism to portray these roles, ultimately sidelining an entire community,” said disability activist Fats Timbo in a recent interview. “The film should have aimed to foster understanding for children during what could be their first encounters with someone with dwarfism.”

Zegler, who has defended her performance as Snow White, expressed her commitment to bringing life to the character, saying, “I aimed to create a character full of depth and humanity, showcasing Snow White in a relatable light for contemporary audiences.”

However, the reception of Gadot’s performance as the Evil Queen was overwhelmingly negative, with critics describing it as “lifeless” and “overly dramatic.” Various reviews noted that her interpretation left much to be desired, with one reviewer stating it “felt more like a dress-up than a legitimate performance.”

Despite the mixed reviews for the lead performances, many critics noted the romantic subplot between Snow White and her love interest, Jonathan, was a redeemable aspect of the film. “Their connection was sweet and charming, and provided the movie with a heartwarming scene amidst its shortcomings,” said a critic from The Daily Mail.

The film has achieved a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, indicating mixed to negative reviews, but it holds a much higher 74% audience score, suggesting that viewers are more receptive than critics. While some industry commentators have labeled it as “exhaustingly awful,” others have praised it as “one of the better adaptations of Disney’s animated classics.”

Snow White’s marketing campaign has faced criticism for its lack of enthusiasm, as it recently did not have a UK premiere, which may have impacted its reception. The film reportedly cost around $250 million to produce and was initially seen as a major contributor to Disney’s revenue expectations for the year.

Despite its shaky start, Snow White is now showing in theaters nationwide, with audiences divided over its artistic vision and performances. The future of Disney’s live-action adaptations remains uncertain as they navigate the complexities of modern storytelling and audience expectations.