Disney’s live-action Snow White remake has been surrounded by controversy from the start, and now it looks like the company is scrambling to salvage what’s left of the project.
With a new release date of March 21, 2025, Disney is shifting its focus away from the film itself and toward a surprising new strategy: popcorn buckets. Yes, you heard that right. Disney is banking on collectible theater merch to offset the losses it’s likely to face from Snow White’s lackluster reception.
A Troubled Production from the Start
It’s no secret that Snow White has had a rough ride. Originally slated for a 2024 release, the film—starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot—was delayed amid the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. But industry turmoil wasn’t the only issue. The film has been mired in backlash from fans who feel that Disney is straying too far from the original 1937 classic. The trailer was bombarded with dislikes online, and Zegler’s promotional comments only added fuel to the fire.
Despite efforts to smooth things over, including Zegler’s attempts to express her love for the original films, the damage has been done. Disney’s decision to delay the film by a year seems more like a stall tactic than a solution. Now, with the release date looming, the company is pivoting to an unexpected fallback: theater merchandise.
Popcorn Buckets to the Rescue?
In a move that feels more like a distraction than a solution, Disney has unveiled an AMC-exclusive Snow White popcorn bucket. Shaped like one of the mine carts from the film, complete with light-up features and “treasure” details, the bucket comes in five different colors. While AMC hasn’t released pricing information yet, it’s clear that Disney is hoping to capitalize on the recent trend of collectible theater merch.
The popcorn bucket for Disney’s ‘SNOW WHITE’ has been revealed.
The buckets come in five different colors and light up.
(via: trumootroomu on TikTok) pic.twitter.com/F7tGRjVbqy
— Popped🍿 (@PoppedNews) February 1, 2025
But let’s be honest—a flashy popcorn bucket isn’t going to fix the bigger issues surrounding Snow White. Disney has leaned heavily into merchandise in the past, but this feels like a band-aid on a much larger wound. Fans who were already skeptical of the film’s changes aren’t likely to be swayed by a novelty snack holder.
Is This Enough to Save Snow White?
The bigger question is whether Disney’s merchandising strategy can actually make a difference. While collectible items have become popular among moviegoers, they’re unlikely to compensate for poor box office performance.
Disney’s gamble on popcorn buckets and other merch might generate some short-term buzz, but it won’t address the underlying issues with the film itself. The backlash surrounding Snow White isn’t just about merchandise—it’s about fans feeling disconnected from the direction Disney is taking with its beloved classics.
In the end, Disney’s focus on theater merch feels like a desperate attempt to salvage a project that’s been doomed from the start. Whether or not fans show up for the film’s release remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: no amount of popcorn buckets can hide the fact that Snow White has lost its magic.
