After a huge year that saw Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine each fly past $1 billion and Moana 2 closing in on similar success, Disney’s next wave of films faces heightened scrutiny.
The company’s 2025 lineup begins with Captain America: Brave New World in February, followed by one of the year’s most polarizing releases: Marc Webb’s live-action Snow White. While the original animated classic is etched in cinema history, this reimagining has been overshadowed by controversy, creative disputes, and soaring costs, raising questions about whether it can recapture Disney’s signature magic—or fall short in a crowded cinematic landscape.
Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) holds unparalleled significance as the first full-length animated feature film. Bringing the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale to life, the movie became a groundbreaking achievement in animation with its vivid Technicolor visuals, enduring characters, and unforgettable songs like “Someday My Prince Will Come.”
At the box office, Snow White grossed $8 million during its initial run, an astronomical figure for the time, solidifying Disney as a pioneer in the entertainment industry. The film’s impact went far beyond its financial success, influencing generations of filmmakers and fans. In 1939, Walt Disney received an honorary Oscar—accompanied by seven miniature statuettes—as a testament to the movie’s innovation and cultural legacy.
Building on this iconic legacy, Marc Webb’s Snow White seeks to bring the beloved story into the modern era. Starring Rachel Zegler (The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) as Snow White and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) as the Evil Queen, the film promised a fresh take on the classic tale. However, almost from the start, the project has faced turbulence.
A major sticking point was the depiction of the seven dwarfs. Responding to criticism from actor Peter Dinklage, who called out Disney for potentially reinforcing stereotypes, the studio initially replaced the characters with “magical creatures.” The decision sparked a mixed reaction. Amid the backlash, Disney later pivoted to a reimagined CGI version of the dwarfs, further fueling debate.
Casting Rachel Zegler as Snow White also sparked conversation. While some praised the casting for embracing inclusivity, others criticized it as inconsistent with the character’s “skin as white as snow” origin. Disney attempted to address this by reframing the name Snow White as a symbol of resilience, having survived a snowstorm as a baby.
Compounding these challenges were comments Zegler made at the D23 Expo, where she described the animated prince as a “stalker” and highlighted the new film’s emphasis on Snow White as a leader rather than a romantic heroine. While intended to showcase the remake’s modern sensibilities, the remarks went viral for all the wrong reasons.
Zegler’s controversies added further fuel to the fire. Last month, she drew criticism for her political statements, including one about Donald Trump supporters, which she later apologized for. Despite her attempts to smooth over the backlash, the controversy cast a shadow over her role and, by extension, the film itself.
With a reported budget of $269 million, Snow White ranks among Disney’s priciest live-action endeavors. Yet its exclusion from the company’s Q4 2024 list of current hits and anticipated releases, which prominently featured Moana 2, Inside Out 2, and Avatar: Fire and Ash, raises concerns about the studio’s confidence in the project.
Tax relief from the U.K. government has somewhat alleviated the financial strain. Filmed at Pinewood Studios and various U.K. locations, the production has since received $56 million in tax credits, bringing its net cost to approximately $213 million, per Forbes. However, reshoots and additional post-production expenses are likely to increase the final price tag, further complicating the film’s path to profitability.
As Forbes reported, Snow White would need to gross at least $430 million globally to succeed financially. With mounting competition and mixed fan reception, achieving such a figure seems increasingly daunting.
Adding to the uncertainty is Disney’s cautious marketing approach. Despite a March 21, 2025, release date, promotional efforts for Snow White have been notably sparse. In contrast, Moana 2 enjoyed a strong campaign and delivered a $386 million global opening over Thanksgiving 2024. Trailers for Snow White, meanwhile, received negative responses, with viewers criticizing both the visual effects and the perceived departure from the original’s tone.
Disney’s decision to delay significant promotion suggests hesitancy about the film’s prospects. Without a strong marketing push, Snow White risks being completely overshadowed.
As the release date approaches, the question looms: Can Snow White overcome its controversies and recapture the magic of its predecessor? With Marc Webb at the helm and a script by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson, the cast also includes Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, Andrew Burnap as Jonathan, and Ansu Kabia as the Huntsman.
What are your thoughts on Disney’s Snow White remake? Share your perspective in the comments below!
