Staff Reports
Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler, has become one of the most talked-about box office flops in recent memory, plagued by controversy, poor reception, and underwhelming ticket sales. Despite Zegler’s enthusiastic social media declarations that the film was the “#1 movie in the world,” Snow White earned a disappointing $43 million domestically and $87.3 million globally during its opening weekend—far below expectations for a production with a reported $270 million budget. The film’s failure has sparked widespread criticism, with many pointing to Zegler’s polarizing public statements and Disney’s perceived “woke” direction as contributing factors.
The controversies surrounding Snow White began well before its release. Zegler, who plays the titular character, faced backlash for dismissive comments about the beloved 1937 animated classic and for injecting political rhetoric into her promotional efforts. Her August 2024 post supporting “Free Palestine” drew sharp criticism and reportedly led to increased security for her Israeli co-star Gal Gadot after threats against her escalated. Compounding the issue, Zegler’s post-election remarks attacking Trump supporters alienated a significant portion of potential viewers. Critics argue that these missteps not only overshadowed the film but also signaled to many Americans that Disney was catering to an increasingly narrow ideological audience.
The film itself failed to resonate with audiences, receiving lackluster reviews and earning just a 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics described it as another unnecessary live-action remake that lacked the charm and innovation of the original. Adding to its woes were creative decisions that sparked outrage, such as replacing the iconic seven dwarfs with CGI characters and altering key elements of the story to fit modern sensibilities. Conservatives have long criticized Disney for prioritizing progressive messaging over quality storytelling, and Snow White appears to be the latest casualty of this approach.
From a business perspective, Disney’s handling of Snow White reflects broader challenges facing the company. Recent live-action remakes have been hit-or-miss at the box office, but none have performed as poorly as this one. Industry insiders have speculated that Disney’s subdued marketing efforts and last-minute promotional push signaled a lack of confidence in the project. The decision to scale back red-carpet interviews and keep Zegler and Gadot apart during promotional events only fueled speculation about behind-the-scenes tensions.
Ultimately, Snow White serves as a cautionary tale for Hollywood studios chasing cultural trends at the expense of their core audience. While Disney may have aimed to modernize a classic tale, its execution alienated longtime fans and failed to attract new ones. For conservatives critical of Hollywood’s “woke” agenda, this debacle is yet another example of how prioritizing ideology over entertainment can lead to financial disaster. As Disney grapples with this high-profile failure, it remains to be seen whether the studio will recalibrate its approach or double down on its current trajectory. Either way, Snow White is unlikely to live happily ever after in the annals of box office history.
