What Is Going On With The New Live Action Snow White?

With the live action remake of the original 1937 animated film recently hitting the box office, Snow White has since underperformed globally in theatres. The new Disney adaptation, with a budget of $270 million, has only grossed $87.5 million in its opening weekend.

With negative reviews stemming from heavy CGI use, to boycotts plaguing the movie before its global release, the film has officially been declared a flop and stands as Disney’s lowest rated live-action adaptation.

So, what happened?

Fans have criticised Disney itself for pushing yet another remake over creating new and original stories making the new remakes seem lazy and unoriginal. For some, it even diminishes the magic of the original film, undermining the very nostalgia Disney is hoping to evoke in its viewers.

 

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Since 2014 with the release of Maleficent, an original story from the point of view of the villain in Sleeping Beauty, Disney has released a whopping 12 remakes, ranging from a number of classics such as Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, to more modern tales such as The Lion King.

While it can be fun to relive your childhood through these releases in a new style, it can also be tedious as we, the audience, know the story prior to going to the cinema. And most of the time, enjoy the original more.

Then there’s the performance of Gal Gadot, who portrayed the Evil Queen. While some fans expressed concern over Disney’s perceived political ties due to Gal Gadot’s very public support for Israel, others felt that the actress’s portrayal lacked depth.

Additionally, many reported feeling conflicted about supporting the movie given Gadot’s vocal stance on the Gaza conflict. In response, a significant number of viewers have chosen to avoid purchasing tickets, likely contributing to the film’s underwhelming commercial performance.

 

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In late 2024, an image leaked of Rachel Zegler on set dressed as the iconic princess Snow White, surrounded by CGI-created dwarfs. Users wondered why real actors weren’t portraying the beloved characters, which would provide opportunities for actors with dwarfism. Disney has also avoid referring to the 7 characters as ‘dwarfs’ and have refrained from using the word in the title of the new film, diminishing their significance even more.

Comedian and activist Fats Timbo spoke out against the new film saying, “Our representation is already small as it is. To erase that and use CGI, like we’re mythical creatures or people that could be made on computers, it’s disregarding us in general.”

Award-winning actor Peter Dinklage also previously criticised the film insisting that it shouldn’t have been made at all, telling the WTF With Marc Maron podcast: “It makes no sense to me. You’re progressive in one way, but then you’re still making that f***ing backward story about seven dwarves living in a cave together?”

Disney has also been criticised for its ‘forced feminist movement’ especially with their princess remakes. While the intention and message served is positive, many believe that this new wave detracts from the original characters and storylines of the films we grew up watching. Is it too much to ask for fresh and new stories with original female leads, rather then changing the characteristics of their already established iconic characters?

 

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While it’s understandable that audiences want to experience nostalgia through these live-action versions, it is also important to move away from the classic female stereotypes that characterised Disney’s work in the 1930s and 1940s. Although Snow White is portrayed as a great role model, her delicateness and kindness doesn’t need to be sacreficed in order to present her as a strong leader.

As audiences crave originality and deeper representation, the failure of Disney’s new adaptation serves as a reminder that nostalgia cannot be manufactured through CGI or rehashed plots. Instead of relying on familiarity, Disney would benefit from exploring new stories with fresh characters that reflect its diverse audience.

This approach would ensure that every child sees a relatable role model on screen while allowing adults to rediscover new Disney magic, all while appreciating the classic material they grew up with.

Words by Alyssa O’Sullivan