The New York Times reported Monday on a "sleepy box office start" for Disney's polarizing remake of "Snow White", opening with disappointing ticket sales of $43 million in the US and Canada. This represents a weak performance compared to previous Disney live-action remakes, marking one of the company's most troubled film launches in recent history.
The film, plagued by production issues and controversy, still managed to secure the number one position at domestic theaters this weekend. Despite topping the charts, the $43 million opening falls significantly short of analyst projections and previous Disney remakes, none of which opened to less than $58 million after adjusting for inflation.
The New York Times reported that "Snow White" collected an additional $44 million in international markets, bringing its global debut to approximately $87 million. With production and marketing costs estimated at around $350 million, the film faces an uphill battle to profitability. The film played in 4,200 theaters nationwide and gave the struggling exhibition industry its second-biggest opening of 2024, behind only Disney's "Captain America: Brave New World," which debuted with $89 million earlier this year.
Critical reception for "Snow White" showed a significant divide between reviewers and audiences. Only 43% of critics gave the film positive reviews according to Rotten Tomatoes, while general audiences rated it much more favorably with a 74% positive score.
The remake faced numerous challenges during its production, which began in 2021. Delays stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 actors' strike, and extensive reshoots that drove up costs. The studio also faced criticism from individuals diagnosed with dwarfism regarding creative decisions about the seven dwarf characters, which were made using computer-generated imagery (CGI).
Star Rachel Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, became a focal point for criticism among some internet users and right-wing media outlets who questioned the casting of a Latina actress as Snow White. These critics characterized the decision as an example of Hollywood's diversity initiatives gone too far.
However, industry analysts cited by The New York Times rejected this interpretation, suggesting that "Snow White" struggled primarily because the underlying intellectual property appears outdated to modern audiences. Disney has already adapted most of its popular animated classics into live-action films and has now moved to less commercially viable properties from its library.
Analysts also noted a general audience fatigue with live-action remakes of animated films, pointing to declining box office returns across the category. Disney has recognized this trend and shelved plans for several other remakes including "Bambi," "The Sword in the Stone," and "Hercules," though a live-action version of "Tangled" remains in development.
The film has also drawn attention for reported tensions between its lead actresses. Israeli actress Gal Gadot plays the evil queen alongside Zegler, who has been vocal about her pro-Palestinian views. This dynamic reportedly caused backlash from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian audiences, further complicating the film's already controversial reception.
