As the release date for Snow White approached, concerns about its potential success grew among fans and critics alike. The classic 1937 animated film remains one of Disney’s most cherished titles, making the poor reception of its live-action adaptation particularly disappointing. Critiques have been overwhelmingly negative, with Rachel Labonte from Screen Rant awarding the film a lackluster score of 5 out of 10. The situation has deteriorated to the extent that Snow White has become the lowest-rated film on IMDb, as noted by the extensive review bombing it has faced, marking a troubling scenario for Disney.
In addition to the backlash against the film’s narrative and its deviations from the original story, the casting choices have stirred controversy. Gal Gadot, already a polarizing figure, has not impressed audiences with her portrayal in Snow White. Moreover, while many critics praised Rachel Zegler’s embodiment of the titular character, she has faced backlash for her promotional remarks and behavior. This critical landscape continues to perpetuate the trend of disappointing live-action adaptations from Disney.
Snow White’s Box Office Decline: A New Record Low
Lackluster Second Weekend Performance
Despite launching with considerable fanfare, Snow White opened as the top film at the box office, raking in $42.2 million during its debut weekend. While these figures, much anticipated, fell short of the projected $45-$55 million range, the film did secure the tenth highest opening for live-action Disney adaptations. However, the follow-up weekend marked a significant decline in box office earnings.
|
Disney Live-Action Remakes |
Second Weekend Box Office Drop |
|---|---|
|
Snow White (2025) |
-66.36% |
|
Dumbo (2019) |
-60.4% |
|
The Lion King (2019) |
-60.05% |
|
101 Dalmatians (1996) |
-58.38% |
|
102 Dalmatians (2000) |
-58.28% |
|
Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) |
-57.87% |
|
The Little Mermaid (2023) |
-56.70% |
|
Aladdin (2019) |
-53.18% |
|
Maleficent (2014) |
-50.56% |
|
Cruella (2021) |
-48.82% |
|
Cinderella (2015) |
-48.48% |
|
Beauty and the Beast (2017) |
-48.25% |
|
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019) |
-47.58% |
|
Christopher Robin (2018) |
-47.28% |
|
Alice in Wonderland (2010) |
-45.98% |
|
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010) |
-45.22% |
|
The Jungle Book (2016) |
-40.4% |
|
Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) |
+3.94% |
|
The Jungle Book (1994) |
+98.57% |
Snow White garnered only $14.2 million in its second weekend, reflecting a staggering 66.4% decline compared to its debut. This significant drop represents a troubling benchmark in box office performance for Disney’s live-action adaptations, eclipsing the previous record set by Dumbo with a 60.4% decrease in 2019. The ongoing unfavorable reception coupled with the film’s controversies has undoubtedly dampened its chances of box office recovery.
A Rare Occurrence: Snow White’s Failure to Retain Top Spot
Notably, despite its initial success, only five other Disney live-action remakes have topped the charts in their opening weekend but failed to maintain the number one ranking subsequently. Films such as Maleficent, Cinderella, Dumbo, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid share this uncommon fate. While some of these films eventually achieved significant box office success, including Aladdin and Maleficent, the controversies surrounding Snow White indicate that it will likely struggle to achieve profitability. With production costs estimated between $240-$270 million and additional marketing expenses, the film will need to surpass $500 million to break even—a target that seems increasingly elusive.
A Decline in Overwhelming Success for Disney Remakes
Continuation of a Negative Trend
The unfortunate decline of Snow White continues a troubling trend for Disney, marking six years since a live-action remake held the top box office position for consecutive weekends. The last film to accomplish this feat was 2019’s *Maleficent: Mistress of Evil*. This growing pattern indicates a diminishing enthusiasm among audiences for live-action adaptations of beloved animations.
Recently released titles such as Mulan, Pinocchio, and The Little Mermaid have failed to resonate both critically and commercially, highlighting a shift in audience preferences. Although Disney has experienced some box office wins—like *Mufasa: The Lion King*—the prevailing sentiment is that audience interest in live-action remakes is dwindling.
The Consequences of Losing the Box Office Crown
Forecast for the Box Office Future
Snow White’s fall from the number one position was marked by competition from the action film A Working Man, featuring Jason Statham. While Statham’s films traditionally perform well at the box office, it is surprising for a film associated with Disney—a beloved brand—to lose traction to a project of this genre, highlighting rising expectations from viewers for Disney productions.
Furthermore, it seems unlikely that Snow White will reclaim its status atop the box office. Upcoming releases, such as A Minecraft Movie, are set to attract family audiences, potentially further diluting Snow White‘s already waning viewership. This trend suggests that the film’s performance in its third weekend may decline even more significantly than seen in its second weekend.
Given its sharp drop in revenue, which exceeded expectations, the film’s failure in subsequent weekends may solidify its reputation as a box office disappointment. The trend suggests a noted lack of interest in Disney’s live-action remakes, as none in recent years have managed to maintain the number one status for two consecutive weekends. Although future projects like *Lilo & Stitch* and *Moana* might redefine the narrative, at this point, Snow White serves as a clear indicator of the current audience sentiment towards Disney’s adaptations.