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- Disney’s ‘Snow White’ flop is deeper than anti-woke backlash, box office analysts say (businessinsider.com)
Snow White Remake Underperforms, But Wokeness Isn’t to Blame
Disney’s live-action “Snow White” remake debuted with a disappointing $87 million globally, falling short of projected figures. While some conservative critics pointed to the film’s modernized storyline and diverse casting as reasons for its underwhelming performance, box office analysts disagree.
Experts believe the film’s lackluster reception stems primarily from its creative shortcomings. “I don’t think audiences avoided the film because it’s ‘woke’,” explains David A.
Gross of FranchiseRe. “The reviews aren’t good, and the film simply isn’t connecting with audiences.”
Indeed, “Snow White” holds a 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and received a B+ CinemaScore, considered low for a Disney family film. Critics echoed this sentiment, citing a lack of charm and depth.
This isn’t the first Disney remake to underperform. Of the fourteen live-action remakes released in the past decade, only three have surpassed $1 billion worldwide, with more recent remakes trending lower in critical reception. Box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian suggests the film’s performance likely wouldn’t have differed significantly even without the casting controversy.
Despite the box office slump, Disney’s strategy of focusing on sequels, remakes, reboots, and spin-offs allows for diverse monetization avenues. While “Snow White” may not achieve substantial box office success, it’s expected to generate revenue through on-demand viewing, streaming on Disney+, merchandise sales, and potentially even theme park tie-ins.
As Gross notes, “Theatrical release is just the first income stream. There are many more to come.”
This strategy aligns with Disney’s long-standing “flywheel” business model, which leverages synergy across its various platforms. While the film’s performance is undoubtedly a setback, experts agree it’s far from a fatal blow for the media giant.
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- Disney’s ‘Snow White’ flop is deeper than anti-woke backlash, box office analysts say (businessinsider.com)