Trouble Ahead for Disney’s Snow White: Box Office Challenges
Disney’s live-action adaptation of the beloved 1937 animated classic, Snow White, faces significant challenges as it prepares for its box office debut. With disappointing early reviews from critics and a mediocre audience reception, projections indicate a domestic opening earning of about $45 million. This figure parallels Tim Burton’s Dumbo, which was viewed as a substantial letdown.
Box Office Expectations
Featuring Rachel Zegler in the iconic role and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, Snow White initially tracked to exceed $50 million in its opening weekend. However, Disney has cautiously estimated an opening range between $45 million to $55 million. Globally, the film still aims to secure over $100 million during its launch period.
Audience Reception and Criticism
In a surprising twist, Snow White has received a B+ CinemaScore—unusual for a Disney live-action remake, as most films in this category typically garner grades of A or higher. The film arrives in theaters with considerable baggage; it has been mired in controversy and delays, primarily surrounding the casting of Zegler, who has faced backlash over her Colombian heritage and her outspoken support for the Palestinian cause. In contrast, Gadot, who is Israeli, has faced scrutiny for her comments on the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Comparative Performance of Disney Live-Action Remakes
When analyzing prior Disney remakes, Beauty and the Beast posted an impressive $174.6 million in its opening weekend in March 2017, while Cinderella debuted at $67.9 million in 2015, and Maleficent opened to $69 million in May 2014. The sequel, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, failed to capture audience interest, opening at only $37 million.
Generational Gaps in Disney Familiarity
Despite being one of Disney’s most iconic princesses, Snow White has a diminished recognition among younger audiences. The legacy of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs spans nearly a century, while Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella have remained more relevant, thanks to their higher visibility among children raised in the late 20th century.
Future Prospects for Snow White
Disney remains optimistic about the film’s future performance, emphasizing its unique appeal targeted towards female audiences, especially given the lack of substantial competition in the coming weeks.
Other Box Office News
In a separate narrative, Jonathan Major’s anticipated project, Magazine Dreams, appears to be struggling, with initial estimates suggesting it may not even reach $900,000 in its opening across approximately 800 theaters. Following Major’s legal troubles, the film was abandoned by Searchlight, only to be picked up by Oscar-winning distributor Tom Ortenberger and his Briarcliff Entertainment label.
More updates on these developments are forthcoming.