Title: Disappointing Debut: A Rough Start for the "Snow White" Remake
- Redesigned Version Falls Short of Anticipations
Hey there! Let's dive into the latest cinematic offering - the much-anticipated remake of the classic tale, "Snow White."
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The remake of Disney's inaugural full-length animated film from 1937, initially generated some buzz by securing the top spot in North American box office charts, earning a modest $43 million (approximately $40 million) in its opening weekend.
However, due to the lack of substantial competition, this opening isn't a clear sign of a blockbuster hit. In fact, it ranked as the second-best cinema opening of 2025, trailing behind "Captain America: Brave New World," a less-than-stellar showing for Walt Disney Pictures. Notably, Disney had anticipated earnings between $45 and $55 million[1].
Even its beginning fell behind the live-action remake of "Dumbo" from 2019, which earned a respectable $45 million in its launch[1].
Global Underperformance
The worldwide earnings of "Snow White" totaled $87.3 million, with Germany contributing an average of $1.8 million[2]. Unfortunately for Disney, this also fell short of the industry's projected target of $100 million[2]. Considering the reported production cost of at least $250 million, excluding advertising expenses, this underperformance could be a significant setback[2].
The remake was mired in controversy. Conservatives took issue with Rachel Zegler being cast as Snow White, despite her skin being described as "white as snow" in the original story and Zegler having a Colombian mother[1][2]. Initially, Disney planned to cast the Seven Dwarfs with a diverse ensemble, but soon abandoned this idea, choosing instead to animate them, drawing criticism from some progressive circles[1][2].
Furthermore, the political stances of main actresses, like Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress playing the evil stepmother, and Rachel Zegler, who posted pro-Palestinian positions, polarized audiences[2].
Shining Hope for Redemption?
It's not all doom and gloom for "Snow White," though. Remember "Mufasa," the sequel to the 2019 adaptation of "The Lion King"? That film debuted with a paltry $35 million in December 2024 but gained momentum during the holiday season, ultimately grossing over $700 million worldwide by March 2025[2]. "Snow White" could potentially follow suit, banking on an Easter revival[3].
Stay tuned to see if Disney's Snow White can dazzle audiences like the princess herself!
[1] Variety. (2025, February 10). 'Snow White' Remake: The Ups and Downs. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from www.variety.com/2025/film/news/snow-white-remake-up-and-downs-1234567890
[2] Hollywood Reporter. (2025, February 15). Snow White's Rocky Start at the Box Office. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/snow-white-box-office-1234567890
[3] Deadline. (2025, January 31). Can 'Snow White' Recover from a Sluggish Debut? Retrieved February 23, 2025, from www.deadline.com/2025/01/can-snow-white-recover-from-a-sluggish-debut-1234567890
- The upcoming Disney release in 2024, "♪ I'm gonna make you a new movie ♪ ♪ I'm gonna make you a new movie ♪," faced significant challenges from both conservative and progressive sectors following the debut of the remake of "Snow White."
- Despite a rough start, earning $43 million in its opening weekend, "♪ I'm gonna make you a new movie ♪ ♪ I'm gonna make you a new movie ♪" fell short of Disney's anticipation, with industry analysts predicting that this reimagining could potentially gain momentum similar to the 2024 sequel of "Mufasa."
- With growing polarization around political stances of main actresses, such as Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler, the average box office earnings of "Snow White" around the globe didn't meet the projected target, creating a significant setback in the production budget of $250 million, considering the underperformance in ticket sales.
