Is Snow White Live Action a Flop? Why Disney’s 2025 Remake Bombed at the Box Office

Disney’s 2025 live-action remake of Snow White was poised to be a magical triumph, but the box office numbers tell a different story. With a worldwide gross of just $169,042,394—split between $77,725,601 domestically (46%) and $91,316,793 internationally (54%), according to Box Office Mojo—this reimagining has left fans and analysts asking, “Is Snow White Live Action a Flop?”

Despite its high-profile cast and Disney’s legacy of success with live-action adaptations, the film stumbled hard. Let’s dive into the factors behind this disappointing performance and explore what went wrong with this fairy-tale reboot.

What Was the Budget, and How Does It Stack Up Against the Gross?

The reported production budget for Snow White sits between $240 million and $270 million, not including marketing costs, which likely pushed the total investment closer to $350 million or more. To break even, analysts estimate the film needed to gross at least $500 million to $600 million worldwide.

Yet, with a global haul of just $169,042,394, it’s nowhere near that mark. This stark gap suggests a loss of over $100 million, potentially climbing higher when factoring in promotional expenses. Compared to hits like The Lion King (2019), which raked in over $1.6 billion, or even The Little Mermaid (2023) with $569 million, Snow White’s numbers are a grim reality check for Disney.

Did Controversies Sink Snow White’s Box Office Chances?

The film faced a storm of pre-release controversies that may have turned audiences away. Lead actress Rachel Zegler’s comments criticizing the original 1937 story—calling its romance “weird” and pushing a modernized, independent Snow White—sparked backlash from fans who cherished the classic tale.

Add to that the casting debates, including Zegler’s Latina heritage and the decision to use CGI dwarfs instead of hiring actors with dwarfism, and the film became a lightning rod for criticism. Political remarks from Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict further fueled calls for boycotts. While some argue these issues didn’t sway the core family audience, the negative buzz likely hurt its appeal to nostalgic Disney fans.

How Did Audience Reception and Reviews Impact Ticket Sales?

Critics and audiences didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet for Snow White. With a 44% score on Rotten Tomatoes and mixed word-of-mouth, the film struggled to generate buzz. Viewers praised Zegler’s singing but slammed the script, direction, and CGI dwarfs—often described as “horrifying.”

Opening weekend numbers reflect this tepid response: a mere $43 million domestically, far below the $95 million-plus debuts of other Disney remakes like Beauty and the Beast or Aladdin. A brutal 66% drop in its second weekend sealed its fate, showing that even initial curiosity couldn’t sustain interest.

Was Timing and Competition a Factor in the Flop?

March 2025 wasn’t a crowded blockbuster season, giving Snow White a clear shot at the box office. However, its early-year release may have misfired. Unlike summer or holiday slots that boost family turnout, March lacks the same draw, and 2025’s box office was already lagging 7% behind 2024.

Competing films like A Working Man, which topped charts in Snow White’s second weekend, stole some thunder. Still, with little direct competition, the film’s failure points more to internal issues than external pressures.

Are Disney’s Live-Action Remakes Losing Their Magic?

Disney’s track record with live-action remakes has been a mixed bag. While 1990s classics like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast soared, older properties like Dumbo ($353 million) and now Snow White have faltered.

Audiences seem less enchanted by pre-1989 tales, preferring the nostalgia of their childhood favorites.

This trend raises questions about remake fatigue. After years of tapping its animated vault, Disney might be hitting a wall, with Snow White signaling that not every classic can—or should—be reimagined for modern screens.

Some Closing Thoughts: A Fairy Tale Without a Happy Ending

Disney’s 2025 Snow White live-action remake had all the ingredients for success—a beloved story, a star-studded cast, and the Disney brand. Yet, it crumbled under a bloated budget, divisive controversies, poor reception, and a possible shift in audience tastes.

With just $169 million worldwide against a $270 million-plus investment, it’s hard to argue against the question, “Is Snow White Live Action a Flop?” For Disney, this misstep could prompt a rethink of its live-action strategy—because even in fairy tales, not every story ends with a pot of gold.