Can Snow White Overcome Controversy And Boost The Box Office With A $100M Global Opening?

Disney’s live-action reimagining of Snow White has faced a rough journey from the start. Despite all the excitement surrounding it, the film has been hit with controversy and challenges, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera.

Casting Controversy: A Princess for the Modern Age

One of the first issues that the movie encountered was the backlash over casting Rachel Zegler as the iconic princess. Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, faced criticism from some fans who felt that the character of Snow White should look more like her traditional European roots. Despite the criticism, Zegler’s casting brought attention to the modern push for diversity in Hollywood, a trend that Disney has embraced in recent years with other live-action remakes. Still, the controversy over her casting has continued to follow the movie.

A Box Office Struggle

Disney’s Snow White arrives at a time when the box office is struggling. After a series of disappointing weekends, 2025 box office revenue is now down 5% from last year. Despite this, Snow White has the potential to turn things around, with some experts predicting a domestic debut between $45 million and $55 million and possibly over $100 million globally. The film is getting a wide release and will be available in premium formats like Imax, which could boost its box office numbers.

However, it’s still uncertain how successful it will be. The film has faced multiple delays, first due to the pandemic and later because of labor strikes. As Snow White debuts in nearly every market worldwide, some Middle Eastern territories are sitting out due to Ramadan. Regardless, Disney is hoping the movie will succeed, especially with the lack of significant competition in theaters at the moment.

Red Carpet Drama and Press Control

Recently, Disney took the unusual step of limiting press access to the red carpet during the world premiere. Only selected media outlets were allowed to conduct interviews with the cast, ensuring Disney could control the messaging around the film. Both Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot, who plays the evil queen, kept things cordial despite their opposing political views, especially regarding the Gaza conflict.

Zegler herself has been in the headlines many times throughout the movie’s production, even criticizing political figures like Donald Trump and his immigration policies. Yet, despite these controversies, the movie has generated a fair amount of interest, particularly from women and families.

The Challenges of Reimagining a Classic

While Snow White holds a special place in the hearts of older audiences, younger generations might not have the same attachment to the character. The original animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, was released nearly 100 years ago. On the other hand, movies like Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Cinderella (1950) have remained popular over the years, making their live-action remakes an easier sell to younger audiences.

Snow White will likely appeal to older generations, but the challenge is convincing a new generation to fall in love with the princess once again. This is compounded by the fact that there has been an overwhelming number of live-action remakes of Disney classics, which may make audiences feel like they’re seeing more of the same.

Looking Ahead: Can Snow White Save the Day?

Despite all the baggage, Disney’s Snow White could still turn things around for the struggling box office. Analysts like Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian believe the movie has the potential to break the current slump, especially considering the strong female-driven story and the buzz surrounding the film. With no immediate competition, Snow White could easily exceed expectations and offer the industry the boost it so desperately needs.

Early reactions to the movie have been promising, with many praising Zegler’s performance as the princess. Although the reviews are still to come, there’s hope that the film will resonate with audiences and help push the industry back in a positive direction.

A Mixed Bag of Expectations

The road to Snow White’s release has been anything but smooth. From casting issues to controversial decisions made by Disney, the movie has faced an uphill battle. However, with the film’s wide release and positive early reactions, there’s still hope that Snow White will succeed both critically and financially.

In the end, Disney’s live-action Snow White is a tale of redemption. Whether or not it achieves the box office success it needs remains to be seen, but the film’s unique challenges may give it the chance to turn the page on a new chapter for Disney’s live-action remakes.