The mood was grim on the Disney lot this past Sunday as the highly anticipated live-action remake of Snow White debuted to disappointing figures, grossing only $43 million domestically. While the global expectations were set at over $100 million, the film managed to pull in just $87.3 million worldwide. Final weekend numbers are expected to be released later today, but it’s clear that the film is not performing as anticipated.
Despite the typical success associated with female-targeted films, Snow White finds itself in a precarious position due to its staggering production budget of $270 million, alongside an estimated $100 million in marketing costs. Industry experts suggest that the film may struggle to reach the crucial box-office milestone of $300 million to $400 million globally, far below the safety net of $500 million needed to ensure profitability. This scenario draws comparisons to Disney's 2019 film Dumbo, which opened to $45 million but ultimately grossed only $353 million against a budget of $170 million.
Disney enthusiasts argue that the company is capable of achieving a fairy-tale ending, citing examples such as Mufasa: The Lion King, which opened to $35.4 million domestically and later soared to nearly $718 million globally. Similarly, Elemental experienced a significant turnaround post-release and eventually became a streaming hit. The big difference for these films was their positive reviews and audience reception, traits that Snow White has not enjoyed. The film received a rare B+ CinemaScore, while most Disney live-action remakes typically earn A grades.
Adding to Snow White's challenges are headlines regarding its young lead actress, Rachel Zegler. Known for her outspoken nature, Zegler has publicly criticized political issues, even taking a stand against Donald Trump’s MAGA movement. This has led to backlash from far-right conservatives, who have labeled the film as “Snow Woke,” resulting in calls for a boycott and negative feedback on social media. Notably, Zegler later issued an apology for the tone of her comments. However, research indicates that the average moviegoer may not be as influenced by the political debate as online discussions suggest.
A poll by EnTelligence revealed that 63 percent of ticket sales for family and animated films typically come from blue states, while red states account for 37 percent. Interestingly, Snow White saw a higher percentage of ticket sales from red states, which contributed to 40 percent of its total sales. In contrast, blue states accounted for only 60 percent, a deviation from the usual trend. EnTelligence founder Steve Buck notes, “In spite of prerelease concerns of a boycott in red-leaning districts, there is no evidence to support that occurred.”
While Snow White achieved a B+ CinemaScore overall, it did receive more favorable ratings from specific demographics. Female moviegoers and those under 18 gave it an A- CinemaScore, and polling from PostTrack indicated that parents and children rated the film four out of five stars. Yet, only half of the kids surveyed expressed a desire to recommend the film to their friends immediately.
The film's budget ballooned due to strict COVID-19 protocols, labor strikes in 2023, and even a fire on set. Initial estimates for production costs were between $200 million and $210 million. Additionally, creative concerns led to further expenses. The film was produced under the previous Disney live-action regime, but current studio head David Greenbaum suggested various tweaks after taking over, reflecting the changing landscape of Disney's live-action adaptations.
When reviewing past Disney live-action princess remakes, Snow White faces tough competition. For instance, Beauty and the Beast opened to an impressive $174.6 million domestically in March 2017, while Cinderella debuted with $67.9 million against a much lower budget. Maleficent had a similar strong opening at $69 million, suggesting that audience expectations have shifted.
According to Comscore chief box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian, the future profitability of Snow White will depend on its long-term performance in theaters, its eventual streaming release, and associated merchandising and theme park tie-ins. The film's initial performance has raised concerns, but as history shows, Disney films can often turn around their fortunes over time.
