Why Did the New Snow White Movie Flop? Full Breakdown of the 2025 Snow White Controversy
The world of Hollywood reboots and live-action remakes has been booming for over a decade, but not every project turns into a box office success. One of the most discussed failures in recent years is Disney’s 2025 snow white flop live-action remake, which unexpectedly flopped both commercially and critically.
Despite Disney’s massive marketing efforts, a star-studded cast, and the cultural legacy of the original 1937 snow white flop and the Seven Dwarfs, the 2025 remake faced significant backlash. The result? Poor ticket sales, negative reviews, and a widespread internet debate that’s still going strong.
In this detailed article, we will explore the reasons behind the Snow White flop, analyze the controversies surrounding the film, and discuss what this means for the future of Hollywood remakes.
A Quick Overview: What Is the 2025 Snow White Movie?
Disney’s 2025 Snow White was meant to be a modernized live-action reimagining of their 1937 animated classic, which was itself based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale.
The remake starred Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. Directed by Marc Webb, known for The Amazing Spider-Man movies, the film aimed to refresh the original story with a contemporary perspective. However, this “modernization” became the source of much of the film’s criticism.
Box Office Numbers: Just How Bad Was the Snow White Flop?
To understand the gravity of the Snow White flop, let’s look at the numbers:
| Metric | Expectation | Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Production Budget | $180 Million | $180 Million (confirmed) |
| Opening Weekend (US) | $60–80 Million | $25 Million |
| Worldwide Gross (First 2 Weeks) | $200+ Million | $60 Million |
| Total Box Office (As of July 2025) | Estimated $500 Million | $90 Million (Global) |
Disney reportedly spent over $180 million on production and at least $100 million on marketing. Despite these massive investments, the film struggled to cross even the $100 million mark globally by its third weekend.
By Hollywood standards, this makes the 2025 Snow White one of the biggest box office failures of the decade.
Why Did the New Snow White Flop? The Main Reasons Explained
Several factors contributed to the downfall of the 2025 Snow White remake. Let’s break down the most significant ones:
Controversial Casting and Public Statements
One of the first controversies started with the casting of Rachel Zegler as Snow White. While Zegler is a talented actress with a growing fan base, some critics and fans questioned Disney’s decision to cast a Latina actress in a role traditionally depicted as “the fairest of them all” with porcelain skin and black hair, based on the classic European folklore.
However, the real backlash began when Zegler made several comments during press tours that rubbed fans the wrong way:
- She referred to the original 1937 Snow White as “outdated” and “weird.”
- Zegler said she “hated” the original film growing up because Snow White was “just waiting for a prince.”
- She openly stated that the new Snow White would not focus on romance but rather Snow White becoming a “leader.”
These statements alienated many Disney fans who cherished the original film. Memes, social media posts, and YouTube critiques flooded the internet, accusing Disney of disrespecting its own legacy.
Viral Social Media Reactions:
- #NotMySnowWhite trended on X (formerly Twitter).
- YouTube reaction videos criticizing the press tour got millions of views.
- TikTok parodies mocked the “girlboss Snow White” concept.
Changes to the Classic Storyline
Another major reason for the flop was Disney’s decision to drastically alter the story. The traditional Snow White tale, involving the Evil Queen’s jealousy and Snow White’s rescue by the prince, was replaced with a plot about self-empowerment and leadership.
Key Differences:
| 1937 Version | 2025 Version |
|---|---|
| Snow White dreams of true love. | Snow White wants to become a leader. |
| Prince awakens her with a kiss. | No prince; no romantic storyline. |
| The Seven Dwarfs are central characters. | Dwarfs replaced with “magical beings” of various sizes, genders, and races. |
These changes were marketed as “progressive updates”, but many longtime Disney fans saw them as unnecessary alterations of a beloved classic.
The Dwarfs Controversy
Another source of backlash was the decision to replace the Seven Dwarfs with a group of “magical creatures” played by a diverse cast that included actors of various heights and backgrounds. Disney made this decision after actor Peter Dinklage criticized the use of dwarfs in modern films, calling it “backwards.”
While Disney tried to avoid offending the dwarfism community, this move angered fans and actors with dwarfism, who argued that they were being deprived of valuable acting opportunities.
Industry Response:
- Several actors with dwarfism publicly criticized Disney for excluding them.
- Fans accused Disney of being “woke but tone-deaf.”
Marketing Missteps
Disney’s marketing strategy also played a role in the flop. Instead of focusing on the magic and nostalgia of Snow White, the marketing centered on its feminist messaging and the differences from the original.
Trailers emphasized the new Snow White’s “empowerment journey,” but this alienated audiences who wanted a classic fairy tale experience.
The Result:
- Disney alienated core Disney fans who wanted nostalgia.
- The movie failed to attract new audiences who weren’t interested in Snow White to begin with.
Bad Timing and Franchise Fatigue
The Snow White flop also happened at a time when audiences are growing tired of remakes and reboots. Over the last few years, Disney has released numerous live-action versions of animated classics, including:
- The Little Mermaid (2023)
- Pinocchio (2022)
- Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)
While some of these performed decently, others struggled at the box office. Fans are increasingly voicing their desire for original stories, not rehashed classics with “modern twists.”
Audience Reactions: What Did Fans and Critics Say?
The 2025 Snow White received mixed-to-negative reviews from both critics and general audiences.
Rotten Tomatoes Scores:
- Critics Score: 38%
- Audience Score: 24%
Common Criticisms:
- “Feels like a parody of Disney classics.”
- “Lacks the charm of the original.”
- “Overly preachy and focused on messaging.”
Audience Comments:
- “This isn’t Snow White; it’s a totally different movie with the same name.”
- “If you don’t respect the source material, why remake it?”
- “It’s trying too hard to be modern and forgets to be magical.”
Did Any Part of the 2025 Snow White Work?
While most of the response was negative, not everything in the 2025 Snow White was universally panned.
Positive Aspects:
- Gal Gadot’s Performance: Critics praised her for delivering a fun, over-the-top villainous role as the Evil Queen.
- Costume and Set Design: The film’s visuals were described as stunning, with elaborate costumes and beautiful scenery.
- Rachel Zegler’s Singing: Even critics of Zegler’s acting praised her vocal talent, especially during musical sequences.
