Disney's snow white flops as audiences reject controversial remake

In the United States, Disney's live-action remake of its classic animated film faced significant backlash and controversy upon its release on March 21, 2025. The film, which had been in production for nine years, was met with negativity even before it hit theaters, receiving an overwhelming number of dislikes on its promotional trailer. Lead actress Rachel Zegler's comments criticizing the original 1937 film added fuel to the fire, causing many potential viewers to express their displeasure online. As a result of these controversies, the film experienced a rocky start, bringing in only $15.5 million during its opening weekend against a reported budget of $209 million. Social media highlighted the extent of the film's struggles, with images of empty theater seats circulating across various platforms. Critics noted that the film's release was overshadowed by the production being delayed for a year due to backlash regarding its portrayal of the seven dwarfs, which prompted Disney to rethink its approach. In addition to the poor box office performance, Disney scaled down the film's premiere and opted for a less traditional marketing strategy, featuring less media coverage. The substantial discontent surrounding Zegler's comments and the film's ongoing controversies led to predictions that the movie's commercial aspirations would be significantly affected, as the audience response reflected wider societal debates about representation and storytelling in modern adaptations of classic tales. Overall, the combined impact of intense criticism, disappointing viewer turnout, and the controversies surrounding the production onset produced a strong sense of skepticism about Disney's future endeavors within this franchise. The declining interest in remakes stems from a growing sentiment that audiences are seeking original stories rather than adaptations of existing properties.