Disney’s first full-feature animated movie, Snow White, has officially been reimagined in live-action, but how do the characters compare? Live-action remakes have become an art form for Disney, and the company seems to be working its way through each of its animated classics. These films vary in regard to their similarities to the originals. Sometimes, the aim appears to be a nearly sH๏τ-by-sH๏τ adaptation. Other times, the House of Mouse presents a live-action movie that is all new. In the way of characters’ appearances, Snow White falls somewhere in the middle.
As Disney’s earliest Princess movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and its characters are highly recognizable. There have been several live-action Snow White-inspired movies over the years, and most have gone wildly in a different direction than the 1937 animated film. Therefore, it was important that Disney embrace as many of the memorable features of its original Snow White as possible so that it was immediately clear to audiences where this live-action movie drew inspiration. While there are several notable differences, the characters in 2025’s Snow White are quite comparable to the originals.
Snow White
It’s Immediately Clear Who This Character Is
Though Rachel Zegler’s casting in Snow White was controversial, there’s no question when looking at her character who she is meant to be. Beginning with the dress—Snow’s primary costume is highly similar to the one seen in the animated classic. The long yellow skirt is the same, and the character’s unmistakable blue and red puffed sleeves are present in both animation and live-action. The 2025 Snow White movie even adapted the popped collar, though it doesn’t reach quite as high. The primary difference in costume revolves around the lack of a cape and the newly added laced bodice.
As for Zegler herself, it’s clear that they tried to capture Snow White’s hairstyle in live action, though the effect isn’t quite the same. Zegler’s dark bob certainly gives a 1930s vibe, but the style isn’t nearly as wavy or voluminous as in the animated Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Still, Zegler managed to capture the animated character’s levity and whimsical charm.
The Evil Queen
Snow White Gave The Evil Queen Even More Glamour
Just as with Snow White, it’s clear when looking at Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen that this is the same character as the animated film. The most noticeable similarity is the tall, spiked crown that sits atop a тιԍнт black hood that frames the queen’s face. The live-action version of this villain also possesses the white popped collar, which is quite similar to Snow White’s. There are some differences in the Evil Queen’s primary gown, however. Gadot’s costume is more blue than purple, and it has a striking shimmer. Additionally, 2025’s Snow White seems to give Snow’s stepmother far more outfits to wear.
Gadot herself is far more beautiful as the Evil Queen than her animated counterpart. There’s no question that this woman would pride herself on being the fairest of them all. The Evil Queen’s hag form is a different story. It’s pretty clear in Snow White that the old woman is a beautiful actor wearing prosthetic makeup. Why Snow White would ever trust her (or not recognize that she is her stepmother) is a bit difficult to tell.
Prince Charming
Snow White’s Prince Is Far Less Recognizable
Prince Charming is notoriously nondescript in the original Snow White movie, so it’s no surprise that the live-action made some changes. However, unlike the other characters, there isn’t much to recognize about this version of Snow White’s lover. Rather than a prince, Snow White falls in love with a rebel named Jonathan in the live-action movie. As a result of this, Andrew Burnap’s character looks more like Tangled‘s Flynn Rider than a character from 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Drawfs.
Burnap is undoubtedly handsome, so the idea of “Prince Charming” fits easily. He also has brown hair, which is similar to that of the animated character in 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Perhaps Snow White will see Jonathan throw on a more princely outfit by the end, thus creating more similarities with the familiar animated character.
The Seven Dwarfs
Disney Went The CGI Route
The seven dwarfs, Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey, are also reasonably recognizable from the live-action Snow White and its animated counterpart. Rather than put actors on the screen, Disney opted to use CGI to bring these characters to life, and this allowed the new movie to capture the animated appearance of the dwarfs. Their respective builds are more or less the same, with Doc being a bit more plump while Dopey is more scrawny. However, there are some significant differences from one movie to the next.
While the CGI characters are fairly similar to the animated movie, the effect is a bit more unsettling.
Rather than all the dwarfs having white beards (aside from Dopey) as in the 1937 animated movie, the live-action Snow White gave these characters a wider variety of facial hair colors (white, brown, grey, and red). Additionally, the dwarfs’ noses aren’t quite as bulbous. Unfortunately, while the CGI characters are fairly similar to the animated movie, the effect is a bit more unsettling. The original dwarfs were adorable and easy to love, but it’s difficult to describe 2025’s versions the same way.
The Magic Mirror
The Evil Queen’s Mirror Is Quite Similar
The Evil Queen’s Magic Mirror is another important character who was effectively transferred from the 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to the 2025 live-action remake. The face in the mirror is quite similar, with an angular brow and cheekbones, defined smile lines, and a similarly shaped chin. All of this is wrapped in some mysteriously magical smoke, just as in the animated Snow White movie. However, rather than gold and purple, the Magic Mirror reflects a bluish tone back at Gadot’s character. Additionally, the details around the mirror’s frame are significantly different as well.
The Huntsman
It’s Probably Good That Disney Ditched This Costume
The Huntsman in the 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarves looked a bit like a frightening, villainous Robin Hood. Of course, he wound up taking compᴀssion on Snow White, so he wasn’t so evil after all. Still, it wasn’t so easy to guess that by looking at him. Like it did with the Prince, the live-action Snow White took a different direction with the Evil Queen’s Huntsman. Played by Ansu Kabia, the Huntsman wears a significantly different costume that entirely avoids Robin Hood vibes. However, this version of the character wears facial hair similar to that of his animated Snow White counterpart.
