How Does the Movie ‘Snow White’ Fail on Its Debut?

Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White,” directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, experienced a lackluster opening weekend at the box office. The film earned approximately $43 million domestically and an additional $44 million internationally, totaling around $87 million worldwide. This performance is notably low, especially considering the film’s substantial production budget, estimated at over $250 million. ​Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre+10Business Insider+10People.com+10BoxofficeEW.com

Several factors may have contributed to this underwhelming debut:

1. Casting Controversies: The selection of Rachel Zegler, an actress of mixed ethnicity, for the role of Snow White sparked debates, as the original character is traditionally depicted with “skin as white as snow.” Additionally, Zegler’s critical remarks about the 1937 animated classic led to further backlash. ​Business InsiderPage Six+2People.com+2Business Insider+2
2. Portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs: The film faced criticism regarding its depiction of the seven dwarfs. Images suggesting a diverse group of actors in these roles led some to believe that Disney had deviated too far from the original material. Actor Peter Dinklage also voiced concerns about reinforcing stereotypes associated with the portrayal of dwarfs. ​The Independent+2People.com+2Business Insider+2Business Insider
3. Off-Screen Disputes: Reports indicate that differing political views between lead actresses Zegler and Gadot, particularly concerning the Israel-Gaza conflict, may have affected the film’s promotional activities and public perception. ​维基百科，自由的百科全书+9Business Insider+9Page Six+9

Despite these challenges, “Snow White” managed to surpass other releases during the same weekend, such as Steven Soderbergh’s “Black Bag” and Bong Joon Ho’s “Mickey 17.” However, its opening figures remain significantly lower compared to previous Disney live-action adaptations, like “Dumbo” (2019) and “The Little Mermaid” (2023), both of which had more robust debuts. ​Wikipedia+5Business Insider+5EW.com+5

The film’s reception has been mixed, with some critics praising Zegler’s performance while others criticized the movie’s narrative and character portrayals. The combination of production controversies, casting debates, and external factors likely played a role in the film’s subdued opening weekend performance.​维基百科，自由的百科全书+10Page Six+10Business Insider+10

Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Faces Disappointing Opening Amid Controversies

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Disney’s ‘Snow White’ has a sleepy opening weekend after a string of controversies

TodayPeople.com”Snow White” Debuts as a Low-Earning Live-Action Remake for Disney at the Opening Weekend Box OfficeTodaynews’Woke’ Snow White becomes epic flopToday

The reception of Disney’s live-action “Snow White” offers a compelling case study in how pre-release controversies, casting decisions, and public perception can all significantly influence a movie’s opening performance. While the film had certain strengths—such as its efforts to reimagine a classic story—it also struggled under the weight of divided opinions and marketing challenges. Ultimately, the outcome serves as a reminder that successful adaptations often require a delicate balance of honoring the original material while introducing fresh perspectives. For future projects, Disney and other studios may need to carefully evaluate how these factors can either support or hinder their efforts to breathe new life into timeless tales.