Disney's highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Snow White has made a significant impact at the domestic box office, despite facing considerable controversy. The film garnered an impressive $3.5 million during its Thursday previews, outperforming other live-action remakes such as the 2015 version of Cinderella, which earned $2.3 million, and the 2019 film Dumbo, which brought in $2.8 million. While these figures are not adjusted for inflation, they indicate that Snow White is poised for a strong performance. The film is only slightly behind DreamWorks Animation and Universal's Kung Fu Panda 4, which earned $3.8 million, and Disney's own 2014 hit Maleficent, which received $4.3 million in its previews.
Given the strong preview numbers, industry experts believe that Snow White has a solid chance of surpassing $50 million at the box office, potentially revitalizing the struggling 2025 domestic market. On a global scale, the film aims for a debut exceeding $100 million, even though it currently holds a less-than-stellar Rotten Tomatoes score of 46 percent. However, history shows that a low critic score does not always hinder box office success; for instance, Jon Favreau's billion-dollar hit, The Lion King, achieved a 51 percent rating yet thrived at the box office.
When compared to previous Disney live-action adaptations, Snow White has a long way to go. Beauty and the Beast opened to a staggering $174.6 million domestically in March 2017, while Cinderella debuted with $67.9 million in 2015, and Maleficent launched with $69 million in May 2014. In contrast, Dumbo was a disappointment, starting with only $46 million, while Kung Fu Panda 4 opened to $58 million.
Despite its promising box office debut, Snow White arrives in theaters burdened with controversy. The film faced backlash over the casting of Rachel Zegler in the titular role, primarily due to her Colombian descent. Furthermore, Zegler has publicly expressed her support for the Palestinian people, adding fuel to the controversy. Co-star Gal Gadot, who portrays the Evil Queen, has also come under scrutiny for her comments regarding the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Box office analysts report that awareness and interest in Snow White are strong among girls, women of all ages, and families. The film has little immediate competition and will be showcased on all 400 IMAX screens, as well as numerous other premium large-format screens—a significant advantage for any film. Even competing executives acknowledge that exhibitors are enthusiastic about Snow White, which is expected to remain a prominent feature throughout the spring holiday season.
Snow White has faced multiple delays due to the pandemic and labor strikes, and it is set to premiere in virtually every territory worldwide, with the exception of a few Middle Eastern markets due to Ramadan. Despite the challenges, Disney remains optimistic about the film's performance as it embarks on its theatrical journey.
