Disney’s Snow White live-action remake has struggled at the box office, earning just on its opening weekend—far below expectations of and ranking as Disney’s worst-performing modern remake. The film’s underperformance stems from a perfect storm of controversies and creative missteps.
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– The casting of Zegler, a Latina actress, as Snow White drew criticism from conservatives like Ben Shapiro, who argued the character’s name and original description (“skin as white as snow”) necessitated a white actress. Shapiro’s Daily Wire even produced a rival “anti-woke” Snow White film starring a white YouTuber.
– Disney’s decision to replace the Seven Dwarfs with CGI characters sparked backlash from the dwarfism community. Actors like Dylan Postl and Peter Dinklage criticized the move as erasing roles for little people, with Dinklage calling the original story “backwards”. Disney’s attempt to modernize the dwarfs pleased no one, with critics slamming the CGI creations as “visual abomination”.
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– Gadot (pro-Israel) and Zegler (pro-Palestine) publicly clashed over the Israel-Hamas war. Gadot denounced Hamas at an Anti-Defamation League summit, while Zegler tweeted “free Palestine” in 2024. Pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protestors faced off at Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony days before the film’s release.
– The star criticized the original 1937 film as “dated” and said she was “scared” of it as a child. She also told Trump voters they “may never know peace,” later apologizing for the remark.
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– Critics panned the film as another “empty calorie” Disney remake, with lackluster new songs and a sanitized plot that stripped Snow White of her classic charm. The New York Times dubbed it “Snow White and the Seven Kajillion Controversies”.
– Reshoots, delays, and friction between Gadot and Zegler reportedly left the film “cursed.” Disney minimized press access at the premiere to avoid tough questions.
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– With spent on production, Snow White’s $43 million debut pales next to even 2019’s Dumbo ($46 million). Families opted out amid high theater costs and streaming alternatives.
– Disney now relies on international markets to salvage the film, mirroring the strategy used for Mufasa (2024).
Disney’s attempt to modernize Snow White alienated both traditionalists and progressives, proving that cultural relevance can’t be forced—especially when paired with middling execution. As conservative outlets capitalize on the backlash, the film’s legacy may be as a cautionary tale about wading into culture wars without a clear vision.
