The past month has proven tumultuous for Disney, particularly centered around the live-action adaptation of the beloved Snow White. This latest iteration of the classic fairy tale, featuring Rachel Zegler from West Side Story in the titular role and Gal Gadot as the evil queen, has encountered a slew of controversies and criticism. Despite the high profile cast, the film’s overall reception has been disappointing, reflected in its box office performance and a mere 39% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Leading up to its release in March 2025, many anticipated the film would be a significant success, especially given Disney’s previous triumphs with live-action adaptations of its animated classics. By now, Disney has transformed most of its iconic princess films into live-action versions, enjoying a mixed bag of successes. While titles like the 2015 version of Cinderella were praised for breathing new life into the original narratives, Snow White has unfortunately not fared as well and has prompted discussions on the future of Disney’s live-action strategies.
Snow White’s Box Office Disappoints
The Historical Context of Snow White
As it stands, Snow White has grossed less than $185 million globally against a production budget of $209 million, according to Box Office Mojo. For movies to break even, they typically require earnings that are two and a half times their production costs. Thus, this film’s financial performance signifies a significant loss for Disney. Following a disappointing opening weekend, prospects for a turnaround are dim, casting doubt on the film’s viability as a lucrative venture.
| Snow White Movie | Worldwide Box Office | RT Critics Score |
|---|---|---|
| Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) | $396,592,829 | 48% |
| Mirror Mirror (2012) | $183,018,522 | 50% |
| Disney’s Snow White (2025) | $184,910,998 | 39% |
It’s worth noting that several live-action adaptations of Snow White from the 21st century have managed to break even or even excel. Historically, despite receiving mixed reviews, many of Disney’s adaptations have either matched or surpassed box office expectations. Even with star-studded talent involved, the anticipated allure of Snow White failed to resonate with audiences, leading to a disappointing turnout.
Promising Prospects for Upcoming Live-Action Remakes
Anticipated Success of Lilo & Stitch and Moana
Looking ahead, Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptations of Lilo & Stitch and Moana—set for release on May 23, 2025, and July 10, 2026, respectively—are poised for greater success. With family-friendly narratives that naturally align with summer blockbuster trends, these remakes are positioned to attract wide audiences. Unlike previous princess adaptations, these stories promise to bring fresh perspectives, potentially alleviating audience fatigue associated with conventional Disney formulae.
Lilo & Stitch taps into a uniquely comedic narrative, contrasting sharply with the more serious tone of Snow White. Additionally, the anticipated return of Dwayne Johnson as Maui in Moana positions this adaptation as particularly compelling, with a contemporary flair likely to resonate with today’s audiences.
Early box office predictions indicate Lilo & Stitch could gross over $100 million in its opening weekend, an achievement that Snow White fell short of (via Deadline). With a lower production budget, it stands a better chance of achieving profitability. As for the live-action Moana, its previous iterations have enjoyed significant popularity, making it unlikely to falter at the box office.
Future Prospects: Moving Beyond Snow White’s Disappointment
Resilience in Disney’s Live-Action Strategy
While the performance of Snow White has raised eyebrows, Disney has shown resilience through previous setbacks and has bounced back stronger than ever. Major blockbusters like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King have all grossed over $1 billion, reinforcing that the live-action remake trend is still viable. A successful launch of Lilo & Stitch following the underwhelming performance of Snow White could serve as a refreshing counterbalance, helping to steer the narrative back in Disney’s favor amidst skepticism regarding their remake production pace.
As Lilo & Stitch prepares for its theatrical debut, it will face competition from the upcoming live-action How to Train Your Dragon, but initially, it will have the market to itself. Observations reveal that audiences are growing wary of the frequency of remakes, indicating that Disney must continuously innovate and diversify its storytelling strategies to maintain interest.
Source: Box Office Mojo, Deadline