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Disney Recognizes It May Never Recover From “Woke” ‘Snow White’

Disney’s live-action Snow White remake has been anything but smooth sailing.

snow white seven dwarfs live action remakes
Credit: Disney

From delays to public backlash, the film’s journey to theaters has been a rocky one. Now, with its new release date set for March 21, 2025, Disney appears to be pivoting its strategy—focusing on collectible merchandise, like an exclusive AMC popcorn bucket, as a way to recover potential financial losses.

The Origins of the Struggle

Snow White, Disney’s first full-length animated film from 1937, set the foundation for the company’s future successes. The live-action remake, starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, was intended to reintroduce this iconic story to a modern audience. However, the film has been mired in controversy since its announcement. Originally slated for a 2024 release, it was delayed due to industry strikes and mounting criticism from fans who were unhappy with the creative direction.

Rachel Zegler as Snow White looking shocked
Credit: Disney

Despite attempts to course-correct, including efforts by Zegler to reassure fans of her love for the original, skepticism remains high. It feels like every time the backlash settles down, something else angers fans. The trailer’s poor reception and ongoing negative buzz have forced Disney to explore alternative ways to generate excitement—and revenue.

Disney understands that it has poured more than $200 million in this film and the reception has been nothing but negative. Because of the steep financial — and reputation — hit that the company is seemingly about to incur, it seems that they have a plan to address some of the money by relying on some of their most loyal fans.

The Popcorn Bucket Gambit

Enter the AMC-exclusive Snow White popcorn bucket. Designed to resemble the mine carts used by the Seven Dwarves, complete with faux treasures and light-up features, this collectible aims to capture the interest of Disney fans and collectors alike. Available in five different colors, the bucket is more than just a snack container—it’s a strategic move.

Popcorn buckets have become unexpectedly lucrative for studios. Recent examples like the Dune: Part Two sandworm bucket and Deadpool & Wolverine merch have proven that fans are willing to spend big on limited-edition items. By tapping into this trend, Disney is attempting to shift focus from the film’s controversies to something more universally appealing: nostalgia and collectibles.

Can Merchandise Offset a Flop?

While this approach might seem unconventional, it’s not without merit. Disney has long capitalized on merchandise as a significant revenue stream. Even if Snow White struggles at the box office, strong merchandise sales could help cushion the blow. Collectors and die-hard Disney fans may be drawn to theaters not for the film, but for the chance to own a piece of exclusive merch.

However, relying on merchandise to save a struggling film is a risky proposition. The backlash against Snow White isn’t just about marketing—it’s about fans feeling disconnected from the changes made to a beloved classic. A popcorn bucket, no matter how dazzling, won’t address those deeper issues.

Snow White Rachel Zegler
Credit: Inside the Magic

The Road Ahead

As the release date approaches, it’s clear that Disney is in damage control mode. The shift towards merchandise is a calculated attempt to mitigate potential losses, but whether it will be enough remains to be seen.

Ultimately, the success of this strategy will depend on how fans respond. Will they overlook the film’s controversies in favor of exclusive collectibles? Or will the backlash prove too strong for even Disney’s merchandising magic to overcome? Only time will tell.

Andrew Boardwine

A frequent visitor of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, Andrew will likely be found freefalling on Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or enjoying Pirates of the Caribbean. Over at Universal, he'll be taking in the thrills of the Jurassic World Velocicoaster and Revenge of the Mummy

4 Comments

  1. The resentment against this film runs deep. People value their heritage. Disney is trying to alter popular folklore to meet a political objective: the destruction of white privilege and a weird kind of corporate feminism—traditional values such as finding true love or having a family are being depreciated by the very institution built on providing happy memories to children and families.

    The old Disney valued all cultures and worked hard not to offend anyone to make Disneyland a safe, happy haven for children. But this Snow White may be the most hated movie in history, and that hatred will rub off on Hollywood at a time when folk depend on donations to recover from the devastating fires in the LA basin.

    Disney chose to cast a Latina who seriously disrespected one of Europe’s most important folk tales (in multiple interviews that Disney PR allowed). This movie will create racial tension where there was none at the very time when many Latinos could use sympathy as they face mass deportation. The cultural insults of Snow Woke are the last thing these immigrants teetering on the edge of disaster need.

    The old Disney would never have insulted someone over a physical difference they had no choice over, yet the new Disney chose to CGI the dwarfs as they did the animals (Other humans were portrayed as humans). Many think dwarfs remain human despite their condition and should be treated as such – Disney could have hired real people for these roles. This treatment of those with dwarfism is a terrible message for children.

    The last thing the US needs right now is more political division. This film is intentionally culturally divisive for those within the US and abroad in those countries that consider the Snow White story a part of their cultural heritage: Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy. This film’s damage to the Disney brand will continue for years to come. They are not going to fix this with popcorn buckets.

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