Disney’s highly anticipated live-action remake of Snow White has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. With its March 2025 debut fast approaching, the studio has released multiple trailers, but the response has been anything but smooth sailing.
It’s hard to overstate the cultural significance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Released in 1937 as Walt Disney’s first full-length animated feature, this adaptation of the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale forever changed the landscape of cinema. It established the foundation of the modern animation industry.
At a then-staggering cost of $1.49 million, Snow White grossed $8 million in its initial release—a record-shattering achievement that made it the highest-grossing sound film of its time until Gone with the Wind (1939). Over decades of re-releases, its total lifetime gross has soared to an inflation-adjusted $418 million.
Featuring iconic voice performances by Adriana Caselotti (Snow White), Lucille La Verne (the Evil Queen), and Harry Stockwell (the Prince), the film’s beloved songs—“Heigh-Ho,” “Someday My Prince Will Come,” and “Whistle While You Work”—cemented its place in Hollywood history.
In 1939, Walt Disney received an honorary Academy Award: one full-sized Oscar accompanied by seven miniature statuettes, recognizing the film’s monumental achievement. From its groundbreaking use of Technicolor to its enchanting narrative, Snow White inspired generations of filmmakers and audiences alike. Whether through merchandise, theme park attractions, or Disney’s branding itself, the story continues to symbolize the magic of Disney.
Now, nearly nine decades later, Disney’s live-action adaptation of Snow White, directed by Marc Webb, is navigating a storm of controversy. Initially set for release in 2024, the project was delayed a year, with the studio unveiling the first glimpses of Rachel Zegler as Snow White and a CGI reimagining of the seven dwarfs.
The remake marks a notable departure from the original story. In an interview with Variety, Zegler revealed that the name Snow White is reimagined as a “moment of resilience” tied to a snowstorm she survived as a baby. “The king and queen decided to name her Snow White to remind her of her resilience,” she explained. This change moves away from the Grimm Brothers’ description of her “skin as white as snow.”
A recently released international trailer solidifies this new origin story, showing Zegler narrating over scenes of a carriage stranded in a blizzard. She says: “To honor the day I was born, my father named me Snow White.” The trailer also teases Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the CGI dwarfs riding woodland creatures, and Zegler singing “Waiting on a Wish,” a new original song by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Casting choices have also sparked debate. Zegler’s role as a Latina Snow White drew comparisons to the backlash Halle Bailey faced as Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2023).
Adding fuel to the fire, Zegler’s comments at D23 Expo 2022 raised eyebrows when she described the animated film’s Prince as a “stalker” and highlighted the remake’s focus on leadership over romance. “She’s not going to be saved by the prince or dreaming about true love,” Zegler said, promising a modernized take.
Meanwhile, Disney’s recent Q4 2024 earnings call noticeably excluded Snow White from its highly anticipated 2025 slate, raising speculation about the studio’s confidence in the project.
With a rumored budget nearing $300 million, Snow White has a lot riding on its success. However, Disney’s subdued marketing and ongoing controversies have cast a shadow over the film’s release. Slated for March 21, 2025, the project faces being overshadowed by blockbusters like Moana 2, which recently shattered Thanksgiving box office records, and Disney’s upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch (2025).
Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the film features a screenplay by Erin Cressida Wilson and Greta Gerwig. Other cast members include Andrew Burnap, Ansu Kabia, Dujonna Gift, Martin Klebba, and Colin Michael Carmichael. Whether Snow White can overcome its challenges and capture the hearts of audiences remains to be seen.
What do you think? Are you excited to see this new take on the Disney classic? Let us know in the comments!
