Disney faces $115 million loss from Snow White remake
- The live-action 'Snow White' remake was released in March 2025, but it performed poorly at the box office, earning only $42 million against a $240 million budget.
- The film's lead actress, Rachel Zegler, faced backlash for politicizing the movie, which impacted its reception and contributed to financial losses.
- As a result of the negative fallout from 'Snow White', Disney has decided to pause the production of its 'Tangled' remake while continuing with other projects.
In March 2025, Disney released a live-action adaptation of 'Snow White', aiming to capitalize on the success of its animated predecessor. However, the film faced severe backlash and poor reception, reportedly losing $115 million due to disappointing box office earnings of only $42 million against a $240 million budget. This disaster was compounded by allegations against lead actress Rachel Zegler, who was accused of politicizing the film through her social media posts, which included support for Palestine and criticism of political figures. The controversy surrounding Zegler not only affected 'Snow White' but also led to the suspension of Disney's planned live-action remake of 'Tangled'. Critics suggested that the combination of high expectations, political tension, and negative reception had created a perfect storm of challenges for Disney. This situation raised serious questions about the viability of remaking beloved animated classics in a modern context, particularly amid changing social dynamics. Despite the significant financial and public relations setbacks from 'Snow White', Disney is still moving forward with other live-action adaptations. Projects like 'Lilo & Stitch', which is set to be released in May 2026, continue to be developed. However, the future of the 'Tangled' remake remains uncertain as Disney assesses the fallout from 'Snow White' and its implications for other upcoming remakes. The ongoing debate about representation and politicization in media also contributes to a complicated landscape for filmmakers and studios. These events reflect a growing sentiment in Hollywood where fan reactions to political stances by actors can dramatically impact a film’s success. As Disney navigates this turbulent environment, the studio aims to learn from the costly mistakes surrounding 'Snow White', looking to balance creative expression with audience expectations. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges facing traditional media institutions in appealing to diverse audiences while staying true to their original content legacies.