The recent box office performance of Snow White has sparked concerns, suggesting it may not achieve a noteworthy success among Disney’s live-action adaptations. With reports indicating a production budget between $240 and $270 million, the film has an uphill battle to not only break even but also to turn a profit. Adding to its challenges, various controversies surrounding the film have overshadowed its release, making its commercial prospects even bleaker.
During its opening weekend, Snow White accumulated $87.3 million globally, which included $44.3 million from domestic audiences. Currently, it has grossed $181.6 million worldwide (according to The Numbers). While its theatrical run continues, it remains substantially distant from achieving its break-even point. This lackluster performance suggests that the live-action adaptation is unlikely to join the select company of successful Disney remakes.
Only 4 of Disney’s Live-Action Remakes Have Received Sequels
This Includes 101 Dalmatians & The Lion King
Among Disney’s live-action adaptations, only 101 Dalmatians, Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent, and The Lion King have secured sequels, placing them in an exclusive category. Notably, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and the 2019 remake of The Lion King each surpassed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, leading Disney to approve follow-ups such as Alice Through the Looking Glass and Mufasa: The Lion King, the latter of which serves as both a prequel and a sequel.
| Disney Live-Action Movie | Disney Live-Action Sequel |
|---|---|
| 101 Dalmatians (1996) | 102 Dalmatians (2000) |
| Alice in Wonderland (2010) | Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) |
| Maleficent (2014) | Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019) |
| The Lion King (2019) | Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) |
While neither 101 Dalmatians nor Maleficent achieved the billion-dollar milestone, both performed admirably, particularly Maleficent with a worldwide revenue of $758.5 million against a $180 million budget (source: The Numbers). Despite not matching the financial success of their predecessors, the sequels were greenlit mostly due to the impressive box office returns of these original films, a trend curiously absent from Snow White.
Snow White is Unlikely to Receive a Sequel from Disney
The Story Will Conclude with the 2025 Film
Given its current box office standing, Snow White is unlikely to instigate a sequel from Disney. Historically, Disney has reserved sequels for their live-action adaptations only for those that have achieved significant box office success, and it’s reasonable to anticipate that this pattern will continue. Additionally, the film has been met with predominantly negative reviews, further diminishing its chances for continuation.
The film concludes with Snow White (portrayed by Zegler) restoring harmony to her kingdom following the defeat of the Evil Queen (played by Gadot), effectively wrapping up the key narrative arcs without leaving a cliffhanger that would typically call for a sequel. While earlier live-action adaptations like 101 Dalmatians, Maleficent, and The Lion King have managed to secure sequels largely due to their predecessors’ financial successes, Snow White appears poised to stand alone in its storytelling.
Sources: The Numbers, The Numbers