Disneyโs live-action Snow White remake has defied expectations by topping the North American box office despite facing a wave of controversies and mixed reviews. The filmโs $87.3 million global opening weekend contrasts with its 44% criticsโ score on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting a fascinating disconnect between critical reception and audience appeal.
Disneyโs strategy of remaking its classic animated films has been a dominant force in Hollywood for nearly a decade. These live-action adaptations have varying levels of success, with some, like The Lion King (2019) and Aladdin (2019), becoming massive hits, while others, like The Little Mermaid (2023), have underperformed both critically and commercially. Snow Whiteโs development was announced in 2016 with the intention of creating a more modern, feminist take on the classic fairy tale. However, the filmโs journey to release became increasingly complicated as it became entangled in cultural debates.
The Box Office Performance
- Snow White earned an estimated $87.3 million globally in its opening weekend.
- North American box office contributed nearly half of this amount
- The filmโs performance is below expectations, considering its $270 million budget
- Despite mixed reviews, the film still managed to top the box office charts
The Controversies Surrounding the Film
- Casting Choices: The selection of Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress, as Snow White sparked racist backlash from some Disney fans and right-wing commentators who questioned whether she should play a character traditionally associated with whiteness.
- Political Statements: Zeglerโs pro-Palestinian views and Gal Gadotโs pro-Israel stance created additional controversy, with both actresses facing criticism from opposing sides of the political spectrum.
- Creative Decisions: The filmโs approach to portraying the seven dwarfs, which included using computer-generated imagery (CGI) rather than actors with dwarfism, drew criticism from members of the dwarfism community who felt it was a missed opportunity for representation.
Audience vs. Critical Reception
- Rotten Tomatoes criticsโ score: 44%
- Audience Popcornometer score: 73%
- This disconnect suggests audiences are responding differently to the film than professional critics.
Expert Insights
- Entertainment industry consultant Patrick Frater suggests the controversies may have dulled the filmโs international appeal, particularly in markets like China, where it underperformed.
- Some critics found the film captivating despite its flaws, while others were harshly critical of its execution. The Hollywood Reporterโs David Rooney called the film โmostly captivating,โ while others like Kevin Maher of The Times dismissed it as โthat bad.โ
The performance of Snow White may influence how Disney approaches future live-action remakes. The filmโs ability to succeed at the box office despite controversies and mixed reviews suggests there remains a market for these adaptations. However, the studio may need to reconsider how it handles casting, creative decisions, and public relations surrounding these projects.
Disneyโs Snow White remake has proven that box office success doesnโt always align with critical acclaim or lack of controversy. As the film continues its theatrical run, it will be interesting to see how it performs long-term and what lessons Disney takes from this experience for its future projects.
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