Additional Coverage:
- Critics slam ‘Snow White’ as film on track to be lowest Disney live-action remake in studio’s history (foxnews.com)
Disney’s Live-Action “Snow White” Stumbles at the Box Office
Walt Disney Studios’ live-action remake of “Snow White” is facing a frosty reception in its opening weekend, projected to earn the lowest opening among the studio’s live-action remakes. Early projections suggest a $43 million opening, falling short of the $46 million earned by 2019’s “Dumbo,” which previously held the lowest spot. Considering “Snow White’s” substantial $270 million production budget compared to “Dumbo’s” $170 million, this performance marks a significant underperformance.
Critics have also sharpened their knives, with the film currently holding a 44% “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviews range from Rolling Stone’s David Fear quipping that the film “will definitely put you to sleep,” to The Guardian’s Wendy Ide deeming it “toe-curlingly terrible.”
The New York Times called the film’s mediocrity its “biggest bummer,” while other critics cited a lack of heart and a stiff, lifeless feel. Audiences, however, appear more forgiving, giving the film a 74% audience score.
The film’s troubled production may have contributed to its lukewarm reception. Controversy surrounding the portrayal of the dwarfs, star Rachel Zegler’s criticism of the original animated film, and other pre-release controversies seem to have created a challenging climate for the film’s debut. As one industry analyst noted, the film faced a “perfect storm of media mismanagement” that significantly hampered its box office potential.