Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot’s ‘Snow White’ Flops on Opening Weekend

The highly anticipated live-action remake of Disney’s Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, is on track to have a disappointing box office debut. With the weekend projections indicating a total of $45 million in ticket sales, the film looks to be one of Disney’s sleepiest opening weekends in recent memory.

As of Friday midday, the film has grossed $15.5 million across 4,200 North American theaters, which includes $3.5 million from Thursday night’s previews. Although those numbers are a solid start, they are still notably underwhelming when compared to the earnings of Disney’s recent live-action adaptations of their classic animated features.

A Lackluster Start for a High-Profile Release

At the current pace, the Snow White remake is tracking similarly to 2019’s Dumbo, which earned $46 million in its opening weekend. For comparison, other recent Disney adaptations like The Little Mermaid ($95.5 million), Maleficent ($69.4 million), and Cinderella ($67.8 million) significantly outperformed Snow White in their respective debuts.

The numbers are particularly disappointing, considering the star power attached to the film. Rachel Zegler, fresh off her breakout role in West Side Story, and Gal Gadot, known for her portrayal of Wonder Woman, were expected to draw large crowds. However, the film’s lackluster performance could be attributed to several factors.

Challenges Facing Disney’s Live-Action Remakes

Disney’s recent live-action remakes of animated classics have been met with mixed reactions. While some, like Beauty and the Beast (2017) and The Lion King (2019), found major box office success, others, including Dumbo and Mulan, struggled to reach expectations. Snow White seems to be following in the footsteps of these more underwhelming films.

Critics have pointed to several reasons why this particular remake is falling short. For one, the movie faced significant backlash early on, especially concerning its casting decisions and creative choices. The casting of Zegler as Snow White, in particular, generated controversy, leading some fans to question the authenticity of the film. Additionally, the absence of some elements of the original, combined with the larger-than-life expectations for Disney’s live-action adaptations, may have contributed to the film’s inability to meet audience desires.

Another factor that could be hurting the box office is the growing trend of streaming over traditional theater-going. With the rise of services like Disney+, audiences are now more inclined to wait for films to hit streaming platforms rather than spend money on a theater ticket. This shift in viewing habits could be further amplified by the general fatigue surrounding live-action remakes of animated films, which have become a staple of Disney’s recent strategy.

Is There Hope for Snow White’s Future?

While $45 million is nothing to sneeze at, it would still be considered a disappointment given the high expectations placed on the film. As it stands, Snow White is set to be one of Disney’s weakest openings for a live-action remake, especially when compared to the $67 million debut of Cinderella or the massive $95 million haul from The Little Mermaid earlier this year.

Despite these early box office struggles, Disney may still find ways to turn the tide. If the film can generate positive word-of-mouth over the coming weeks, particularly among families and younger audiences, it could still recover. However, for now, it seems that Snow White may not have the same magic that helped its animated predecessor shine so brightly back in 1937.

As Disney continues to explore the potential of live-action adaptations, it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue to fizzle out or if there will be future hits waiting in the wings. For now, though, Snow White’s box office performance is a cautionary tale for Disney, signaling that audiences may be growing tired of revisiting its animated past.