Disney’s Theatrical Release of ‘Snow White’ Could Be an Even Bigger Blow for the Company

Disney’s live-action Snow White has been the subject of heated debates since it was announced, and as its release date approaches, the outlook is looking worse by the day.

The film, starring Rachel Zegler as the iconic princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, was once expected to be a key release for Disney. However, after waves of backlash and controversy, the latest box office projections suggest that audiences might not be as eager to embrace this reimagined fairy tale.

From Strong to Slipping – A Box Office Freefall

Just a few weeks ago, estimates placed Snow White’s opening weekend earnings between $63 million and $70 million, already a disappointing number for a film of this scale. But now, that projection has taken a steep dive, dropping to $53 million. While Disney films have defied expectations before, this downward trend raises serious concerns about the movie’s financial viability.

With an estimated budget over $240 million, Snow White would need to perform exceptionally well to avoid becoming one of Disney’s biggest live-action flops. At this rate, it may struggle to break even, let alone become a major box office hit.

Controversies That Won’t Go Away

Even before the first trailer dropped, Snow White found itself in hot water. Early criticisms began when actor Peter Dinklage spoke out against the portrayal of the dwarfs, prompting Disney to announce changes to how the characters would be represented. But the backlash didn’t stop there.

Rachel Zegler’s comments about the original 1937 animated film fueled even more division. She repeatedly criticized the original as outdated and dismissed the idea of a princess waiting for a prince. While Disney has been modernizing its female protagonists for years, many fans took issue with how she framed the film’s changes. Some felt she was belittling the classic, while others simply didn’t agree with the new direction.

Social media exploded with negative reactions, and instead of calming the situation, Zegler’s defensive responses only added fuel to the fire. At one point, she told critics they “didn’t have to watch” the movie if they had a problem with it—a statement that may now be coming true, as audiences seem less and less interested in seeing Snow White in theaters.

Marketing Struggles and Fan Frustration

Another glaring issue is Disney’s lack of aggressive marketing. Unlike previous live-action remakes like The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast, Snow White has received a surprisingly quiet rollout. The company even omitted the film from its Q4 financial report, which has led to speculation that Disney itself isn’t confident about the movie’s success.

Additionally, the film has faced massive downvotes on YouTube, with fans overwhelmingly rejecting the first trailer. Whether this reaction is due to backlash over the changes or just general lack of excitement, the numbers don’t lie—interest in this film is dwindling.

Can Snow White Recover?

At this point, Snow White is fighting an uphill battle. If these projections hold, it could be one of Disney’s worst-performing live-action remakes. There’s still time for a last-minute turnaround, but the odds aren’t in its favor.

Disney has made bold moves with this film, but will audiences embrace the changes? Or has this version of Snow Whitelost its magic before it even begins?