Disney’s newest live-action remake, Snow White, has been surrounded by recent controversies that have led audiences and critics alike to question what impact these will have on the film. The movie will serve as a remake of the 1937 animated classic with several updates to the story to modernize it, including Snow White’s name origin. Some of these changes have been precisely the cause of the controversy, but the original Snow White does have some problems when viewed through a 21st century lens, making the changes necessary.

The new Snow White will follow the original storyline of the character coming to live in a cabin with seven dwarfs while running from her evil stepmother. However, the new movie will feature changes that see Snow White take on a more active role in overcoming the Evil Queen. Snow White‘s cast is led by Rachel Zegler in the тιтular role, with Gal Gadot appearing as the Evil Queen. Because the lead cast and the story are well-known, Snow White is a promising addition to Disney’s live-action catalog, but its controversies add a complication to its bid for success.

Snow White’s Box Office Projections Declined Following More Controversies

The Most Recent Projections Put Snow White Far Lower Than A Month Ago

Disney’s live action movies and Disney movies more generally often find box office success, but that seems less and less likely for Snow White owing to the controversies surrounding the movie. Earlier projections for the movie had it opening somewhere between $63 and $70 million, but newer box office projections for Snow White have lowered that number to between $48 and $58 million. Since Snow White‘s budget was reported by Forbes to be nearly $270 million, it would take an impressive opening weekend and total theatrical gross of around $625 million to break even.

The movie has been surrounded by controversy from its inception, with much of the trouble surrounding its lead actor, Rachel Zegler. Rachel Zegler has already been hailed as being great in Snow White, but, unfortunately, at the time of her casting, she faced racist backlash and harᴀssment from some fans of the original. This treatment was in no way her fault, but sadly this set the tone for news about the movie. Zegler faced further backlash for arguing that the 1937 movie showcased outdated ideas about the role of women, and stating the new version would give her more agency.

However, Zegler’s comments and unfair treatment are not the only issues that have arisen in the making of Snow White. The other main criticism that the movie has faced is the decision to make the dwarfs CGI and played by one actor, rather than have seven actors with dwarfism play the roles. Peter Dinklage criticized Snow White‘s story as “backwards” for its depiction of the dwarfs living together in an isolated cabin. Conversely, other actors with dwarfism have highlighted that Disney’s use of CGI to create characters has taken away jobs from actors who are underrepresented in the industry.

Disney’s Box Office Track Record With Live-Action Remakes Is Pretty Good

Disney’s History Could Help Save The Movie

Despite the controversies that have surrounded Snow White, Disney’s recent success with live-action remakes adds a more hopeful note to its prognosis. Since 2019, when the live-action Aladdin and The Lion King came out, Disney’s live-action adaptations have done well, even when met with initial skepticism. In the most successful example, the 2019 The Lion King has grossed over $1.66 billion, far surpᴀssing expectations (via Box Office Mojo). Its 2024 follow-up, Mufasa: The Lion King was also an unexpected success with a $716 million gross (via Box Office Mojo).

Even going back 10 years to films like Maleficent and Cinderella, Disney found early success with live-action remakes and retellings, setting the precedent that audiences were interested in seeing them. In 2017, the Beauty and the Beast remake grossed over $1.26 billion (via Box Office Mojo) and 2019’s Aladdin similarly crossed the billion-dollar mark. 2021’s Cruella and 2023’s The Little Mermaid also ended up being fairly well-received, proving that Snow White could still come back to do the same.

The Little Mermaid Proves Snow White Could Still Do Well At The Box Office With Controversies

Audiences Still Went To See The 2023 Movie

Another indicator that Snow White could still potentially do well at the box office comes from 2023’s The Little Mermaid. Similar to the racist remarks made about Rachel Zegler, The Little Mermaid‘s lead actor, Halle Bailey, also faced racist remarks following her casting. People took to social media and movie ranking sites to voice their dislike that an originally white character was being played by a Black woman, despite this having no actual impact on the story. While some critics disliked the visual effects, Bailey’s performance was almost universally praised.

More than anything else, The Little Mermaid proved that it is often the most negative comments that get voiced the loudest, but for the majority of moviegoers this posed no threat to their enjoyment. The movie still ended up being fairly successful and well-received. Since it is Rachel Zegler herself that has shouldered much of Snow White‘s criticisms, it seems possible that the average viewer is more excited about the new movie than comments that the lead has made. Ultimately, it is entirely possible to see the movie out of interest without dwelling too much on the controversies.

Snow White’s Box Office Potential Is Still Lowered By The Controversies

Viewers May Be Too Put Off By The Recent News Coverage To See It In Theaters

Though the movie itself is not going to be changed by the controversies surrounding it, meaning its ratings and reviews could still be positive, Snow White‘s box office seems the most likely to take the hit. In fact, early reactions to Snow White have been largely positive, but much of the conversation about the movie is sadly still centered on Zegler’s casting and comments and the controversy surrounding the dwarfs.

Because most of the news about the movie has been bad leading up to its release, audiences may be fairly skeptical about going to see it in theaters. Instead, many viewers may opt to watch Snow White at home when it becomes available on digital or streaming rather than spend money on movie tickets. Luckily, Disney’s family-friendly releases often do have a long life on Disney+ after their initial theatrical run, but it does mean that Snow White‘s box office earnings could suffer.

Based on current opening weekend projections, Snow White is unlikely to become a mᴀssive hit like The Lion King. If it manages to get more positive word of mouth, the movie’s luck could change and see it become more successful. While Snow White could ultimately go on to become successful as time pᴀsses, it seems unlikely that it will become a mᴀssive hit at this stage.

Source: Forbes, Box Office Mojo, Box Office Mojo, Box Office Mojo