LOS ANGELES, United States, 24 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Disney’s latest live-action adaptation of Snow White, marking 90 years since the animated classic first graced the silver screen, has debuted at the top of the North American box office. Despite this initial success, with an estimated $43 million in earnings over the weekend, the film faces significant hurdles due to soaring production costs and widespread criticism.
A Troubled Production Journey
The remake has endured a turbulent journey from its inception to release. A combination of pandemic-related delays, controversy over the use of CGI for the seven dwarfs instead of real actors, and mixed fan reception has driven its budget to a staggering $250 million. According to The New York Times, it has been labelled as “one of the most troubled projects in Disney’s 102-year history.”
Critical Reception: Divisive Opinions
Reviews have been polarising.
- The Guardian lambasted it as “toe-curlingly terrible” and “exhaustingly awful.”
- The Washington Post was more forgiving, describing it as “surprisingly entertaining.”
- Variety noted its “strong performances” but criticised the over-reliance on CGI.
The film stars Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, bringing a modern twist to the beloved fairy tale.
Weekend Box Office Rankings
While Snow White dominated the box office, other films also performed steadily.
| Rank | Film Title | Weekend Earnings ($ Million) | Notable Stars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snow White | 43.0 | Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot |
| 2 | Black Bag | 4.4 | Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett |
| 3 | Captain America: Brave New World | 4.1 | Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford |
| 4 | Mickey 17 | 3.9 | Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun |
| 5 | Novocaine | 3.8 | Jack Quaid |
| 6 | The Alto Knights | 3.2 | Al Pacino, Robert De Niro |
| 7 | The Day the Earth Blew Up | 1.8 | Looney Tunes Ensemble |
| 8 | The Monkey | 1.5 | James McAvoy |
| 9 | Dog Man | 1.5 | Paul Giamatti |
| 10 | The Last Supper | 1.3 | Timothée Chalamet |
A Financially Challenging Road Ahead
Despite a strong opening weekend, Snow White will need to sustain momentum in the coming weeks to justify its immense budget. Given the lukewarm reception and high expectations surrounding Disney’s live-action remakes, industry analysts predict a challenging path ahead for the film to reach profitability.
The Bigger Picture: Disney’s Live-Action Gamble
Disney has had a mixed track record with its live-action adaptations. Some, like The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017), have been massive box office hits, while others, such as Dumbo (2019) and The Little Mermaid (2023), underperformed relative to expectations.
With Snow White entering this unpredictable landscape, its long-term success will hinge on global appeal, word-of-mouth, and its ability to engage audiences beyond its opening weekend.