Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White has debuted at the top of the North American box office, despite receiving mixed reviews and facing significant controversies.
According to Box Office Mojo, the film earned an estimated $87.3 million (£67.5 million) globally during its opening weekend, with nearly half of that revenue coming from North America.
However, the box office figures fell below expectations for a movie that reportedly cost over $270 million to produce. The reimagining of the 1937 animated classic was initially anticipated to be a major hit but encountered multiple hurdles before its release.
Snow White Sparks Social and Political Debates
The live-action adaptation became a focal point for social and political discussions. One major controversy stemmed from the casting of Rachel Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, in the lead role. Some critics questioned whether she was the right choice for the iconic character, while others supported Disney’s commitment to diversity.
Additionally, off-screen debates added to the film’s contentious reception. Zegler’s pro-Palestinian comments and Israeli actress Gal Gadot’s pro-Israel stance led to backlash from different factions. Furthermore, the absence of traditional dwarfs in the film—whether live-action or computer-generated imagery (CGI)—sparked further debate.
Snow White Struggles in Key International Markets
In China, one of the world’s largest movie markets, Snow White failed to crack the top five films in theaters. According to EntGroup’s China Box Office website, the film grossed under $1 million in its first three days, a disappointing performance in a country with over 1.4 billion people.
Entertainment industry analyst Patrick Frater suggested that the film’s multiple controversies may have diminished its appeal. Additionally, Hollywood productions have faced declining influence in Asian markets since the pandemic.
Mixed Reviews From Critics and Audiences
On Rotten Tomatoes, Snow White has received a critics’ score of just 44%, while the audience rating on the ‘Popcornometer’ stands higher at 73%. The Observer’s chief film critic Wendy Ide called the film “toe-curlingly terrible,” while David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter found it “mostly captivating.”
Despite the criticism, Disney’s Snow White has managed to dominate the box office, proving that controversy doesn’t always deter audiences from heading to theaters.