The following contains spoilers for Snow White, now playing in theaters
The ending of Snow White is a fitting modernization of the original narrative, consistent with the original story while expanding it in some clever modern ways. Based on Disney Animation’s first feature-length film, Snow White takes the classic fairy tale and updates it for modern audiences. Snow White‘s cast boasts stars like Rachel Zelger and Gal Gadot, who bring new layers to their largely faithful portrayals of Snow White and the Evil Queen.
However, while much of the broad strokes of Snow White are very similar to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, specific elements of the third act and the film’s ending have been changed and updated in some clever ways. The new details change one of the story’s most important deaths, gives Snow more agency in the climax, and even sets up a fresh reimagining of a key element of the original film. Here’s what happens in the ending of Snow White and how it’s different from the original animated classic.
Snow White Officially Becomes The Queen In New Ending
Snow White Is Embraced As A Fair Ruler
The climax of Snow White makes the тιтular princess into the Queen of her kingdom, expanding the scope of the finale in some pretty big ways. As in the original story, Snow White is brought low by the Evil Queen. While disguised as a hag, the Queen tricks Snow White into a poisoned apple. However, true love’s kiss is able to restore her, allowing Jonathan to bring her back to the land of the living. The film then reveals how Snow returned to her kingdom and confronted the Queen over her crimes in front of the public.
The film ends with Snow triumphant in rallying the kingdom together and is placed in a rulership position after the death of the Evil Queen. Snow White ends on an unambiguously positive note, with Snow and the dwarfs celebrating with the kingdom in a reprisal of the happy musical number that opened the film. Snow seems to be unchallenged in her newfound authority, with the kingdom all joyfully celebrating around her. This plays into the film’s sweeter themes and tones, ending a bright story with a fittingly sweet conclusion.
The Evil Queen’s Death & What Happens To Her In Snow White Explained
The Evil Queen’s New Death Is Very Different From The Original Movie
The only on-screen death in the film is Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen, who spends much of the film trying to have Snow White killed. As in the original film, the Queen is envious of Snow becoming “the fairest in the land,” a тιтle that played to the Queen’s vanity. When the Evil Queen is confronted by Snow and is defied by her subjects, she flies into a rage and breaks the magic mirror. Shattering the magic object quickly kills the Evil Queen. This turns her body to ash, with the woman quickly crumbling to pieces.
While the Queen’s death is clear, the ending does hint at a deeper world of magic unseen in the film.
The more mysterious aspect of this event is what’s beyond the mirror. The shards of glᴀss don’t just fall to the ground, but quickly reform the mirror. The ash is dragged to the other side of the mirror, which Snow (and the audience) are briefly able to glimpse inside. There’s a dark void in that space, a mysterious plane removed from the corporeal world. As quickly as it appears, the way is shut and the mirror repairs itself. While the Queen’s death is clear, the ending does hint at a deeper world of magic unseen in the film.
How The Live-Action Snow White’s Ending Differs From The Animated Movie
The Modern Snow White Builds Off The Ending Of The Animated Film
Snow White is similar to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the broad strokes, but certain details — such as Snow’s love interest and the role of Dopey in the story — have been tweaked. The biggest changes to the ending come in the third act, which continues beyond the ending of the original animated film. In Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Evil Queen is killed shortly after she brings down Snow, tumbling off the side of a cliff while preparing to ambush the dwarfs. The Prince reawakening Snow with a kiss was the ending of the animated film.
The live-action Snow White deviates from the point of the kiss, with the Evil Queen returning to her kingdom triumphant rather than being chased by the dwarfs. This sets up Snow’s confrontation with her and the Evil Queen’s own inglorious fate. It’s a compelling change to the story, as it gives the agency in the climax to Snow. It allows the film to pay off the elements of her character it expanded, such as her dedication to her people and her empathy for the soldiers that have been hunting her. It’s functionally a similar happy ending but with expanded elements.
What “Fairest In The Land” Really Means In Snow White
Snow White Is More Than Just A Pretty Face In The New Film
The “fairest in the land” is a frequent refrain in Snow White and takes on two meanings during the course of the film. In the original animated movie, “fairest” referred only to the physical appearance of a person. This does apply to Snow White as well, with the Evil Queen being heralded for her beauty and driven to murderous jealously over the discovery that Snow White has grown to be a “fairer” woman. However, there’s a secondary element of the character that becomes more pronounced as the film progresses and takes on a different meaning for why Snow White’s growth.
One of the key lessons Snow was given by her parents was their belief in being a “fair” ruler to one’s subjects. Under their rule, there was a sense of community, charity, and empathy that is absent from the Evil Queen’s reign. Snow is able to unite the people behind her because of her commitment to these values. Snow is the “fairest” of all, making the Mirror’s comments about her potentially referring not just to her beauty but her worthiness as a ruler. This gives the Evil Queen extra reason to fear her rise and motivate her hatred.
What Happens To The Dwarfs In Snow White’s Ending
The Dwarfs Get A Happy Ending In Snow White
The dwarfs are minor players in Snow White, largely serving as supporting characters in Snow’s story. However, there is some clear growth for the group as a whole and for Dopey in particular. The dwarfs, established as magical creatures who have lived in the woods for centuries, have avoided humans for some time. By the end of the film, their interactions with Snow and Jonathan’s troupe bring them out of isolation. They take part in the final musical number of the film, cementing their place as members of the kingdom.
Snow White faced controversy ahead of release for the portrayal of dwarves, which likely explains why the film makes it clear that the characters are a seperate fantasy race.
Dopey’s arc is the one that is the most thematically tied to the rest of the narrative, as he speaks for the first time in support of Snow and her mission to bring down the Queen for her crimes. Dopey is revealed in the finale to have been the narrator all along, telling the crowd the story of Snow White that the audience has been watching. This gives the dwarfs a happy ending, allowing them to become a part of the community they’ve long since avoided due to their suspicions about humans.
Does Snow White Set Up A Sequel?
Snow White Ends On A Thematically Fitting Finale
While there could be a follow-up to Snow White, the film doesn’t set up a natural cliffhanger or place to revisit in a sequel. Snow’s story ends on a largely conclusive note, with the Evil Queen defeated and her kingdom reunited. Snow also gets a happy ending to her love story and ensures that the Dwarfs are part of their community as well. The film bookends the story with a reprise of the song “Good Things Grow,” symbolizing a return to prosperity for the kingdom. The film even utilizes the imagery of Snow White’s storybook closing, similar to the original.
Opening and closing Snow White on her storybook closing is a clear reference to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs began and ended in a similar fashion.
That’s not to say there aren’t some elements of the larger world that could be expanded upon for a sequel. The set up of a rival kingdom to the south could be revisited, exploring the “threats” that the Evil Queen used to justify the trap she used to kill the King. This could force Snow to confront how other rulers control their lands while in a position of power herself. There’s also an opportunity to explore the rules of magic in Snow White’s world and what exactly is going on behind the magic mirror.
The Real Meaning Of Disney’s Live-Action Snow White
The Importance Of Finding A Fair Ruler
At the core of Snow White‘s story is the central conceit that “fairness” means more than beauty. Snow’s empathy and commitment to “fairness” as a ruler makes her capable of uniting people in a way that the magics, beauty, and will of the Evil Queen never can. Snow’s efforts end up uniting the entire kingdom, highlighting the qualities that make for a good ruler. That empathy, when shared with others, proves transformative in their own lives. The dwarfs grow closer, Dopey finds the bravery to speak through Snow’s encouragement, and her influence turns Jonathan into a hero.
Snow White’s generosity of spirit and resilience in the face of adversity make her an ideal protagonist for the film and a fitting modern take on the Disney Princess.
Snow White’s generosity of spirit and resilience in the face of adversity make her an ideal protagonist for the film and a fitting modern take on the Disney Princess. That kindness also gives her a better character trait to embody in comparison to the cruel and cold Evil Queen. This gives some rewarding depth to their animosity and plays into the central theme of the film. Snow White‘s true meaning is about the importance of empathy and comradery as a leader.
