Disney’s live-action Snow White finds itself unexpectedly striving for a significant box office achievement that many anticipated it would surpass by now. The remake of the iconic 1937 film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, has been clouded by numerous controversies leading up to its 2025 premiere. These factors likely contributed to its underwhelming box office performance, as this version was developed with a staggering budget exceeding $200 million, reflecting the studio’s ambition to recreate the magic of its original animated classic.
Unfortunately, the financial results have proven disappointing. Upon release, Snow White’s box office fell below expectations, suffering a notable drop during its second weekend—setting a grim record for Disney live-action remakes. Typically, these adaptations enjoy substantial box office success, but as of now, hopes for an unexpected resurgence in ticket sales appear diminishing. After over two weeks in theaters, the film has grossed only $169 million, failing to reach a critical box office milestone.
Snow White’s Box Office Yet to Surpass the Original Animated Classic
Presently, Snow White leads to a box office total that still trails significantly behind the original animated release. Traditional box office tracking sites, including Box Office Mojo and The Numbers, cite totals of $184 million and $187 million for the animated version, respectively. Thus, the live-action rendition still needs $15 million to $18 million to surpass those figures.
Moreover, some argue that the animated classic’s box office earnings could actually be as high as $418 million. Henry Wilhelm, in his book The Permanence and Care of Color Photographs, indicates that subsequent re-releases of the original film boosted its gross significantly over the years, suggesting its total revenue could soar beyond initial estimations. If accurate, this leaves Snow White with an even larger gap to close—over $249 million—if it is to compete with the adjusted figures of the original film.
Uncharacteristic Struggles for Disney’s Live-Action Remakes
Typically Outperforming Originals
Disney did not anticipate such challenges in eclipsing the box office success of the animated original. As a notable live-action interpretation of the company’s cherished classic, expectations soared for the film to be a box office triumph. According to historical data, 15 out of 19 Disney live-action remakes managed to outgross their animated counterparts, with Snow White being anticipated as the next success story.
| Disney Live-Action Remake | Remake Box Office | Original Movie Being Remade | Original Movie Box Office | Box Office Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Jungle Book (1994) | $52.3 million | The Jungle Book (1967) | $205.8 million | -$153.4 million |
| 101 Dalmatians | $320.6 million | One Hundred and One Dalmatians | $215.8 million | +$104.8 million |
| 102 Dalmatians | $183.6 million | One Hundred and One Dalmatians | $215.8 million | -$32.2 million |
| Alice in Wonderland | $1.02 billion | Alice in Wonderland (1951) | $5.9 million (estimated) | +$1.01 billion |
| The Sorcerer’s Apprentice | $215.2 million | Fantasia | $76.4 million | +$138.8 million |
| Maleficent | $758.5 million | Sleeping Beauty | $51.6 million | +$706.9 million |
| Cinderella | $543.5 million | Cinderella (1950) | $96.3 million | +$447.1 million |
| The Jungle Book (2016) | $966.5 million | The Jungle Book (1967) | $205.8 million | +$760.7 million |
| Alice Through the Looking Glass | $299.4 million | Alice in Wonderland (1951) | $5.9 million (estimated) | +$293.5 million |
| Beauty and the Beast | $1.26 billion | Beauty and the Beast (1991) | $451.2 million | +$812.2 million |
| Christopher Robin | $197.7 million | Misc. Winnie the Pooh films | N/A | N/A (but higher than any previous Pooh movie) |
| Dumbo | $353.2 million | Dumbo | $1.3 million (estimated) | +$351.9 million |
| Aladdin | $1.05 billion | Aladdin | $504 million | +$546.6 million |
| The Lion King | $1.65 billion | The Lion King (1994) | $979.1 million | +$677.7 million |
| Maleficent: Mistress of Evil | $491.7 million | Sleeping Beauty | $51.6 million | +$440.1 million |
| Cruella | $229 million | One Hundred and One Dalmatians | $215.8 million | +$13.1 million |
| The Little Mermaid | $569.6 million | The Little Mermaid (1989) | $211.3 million | +$358.2 million |
| Mufasa: The Lion King | $721.6 million | The Lion King (1994) | $979.1 million | -$257.4 million |
| Snow White | $169 million | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) | $184 million – $418 million | -$15M or -$249 million |
Thus far, Snow White joins the ranks as one of only four live-action adaptations by Disney that have not surpassed their respective animated classics at the box office. Among these exceptions, two belong to the early wave of live-action films, while the more recent adaptations struggle, including Snow White and Mufasa: The Lion King. While the Lion King’s revenue has adjusted following re-releases over time, Mufasa, a prequel, remains $50 million shy of its animated predecessor’s original earnings.
Can Snow White Surpass the Animated Classic’s Box Office?
Determining the Benchmark of Success
The future of Snow White’s box office earnings hinges largely on which figure is accepted as the benchmark. If we lean towards the commonly referenced total of $184 million to $187 million, there’s a possibility for the film to scrape by that mark. Although with significant declines in attendance, it’s still early enough in its theatrical run—less than a month—that it could generate approximately $20 million in ticket sales to surpass the original animated film’s gross in the coming weeks.
Contrarily, the prospect of reaching the $418 million total is unlikely for the live-action adaptation, as industry forecasts suggest it may struggle to even crack the $200 million mark. Ultimately, Snow White is unlikely to see its current box office more than double from this point forward.