Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Breaks Infamous Record—Lowest Ever for a Live-Action Remake!
Disney’s highly anticipated live-action Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has finally arrived in theaters. The film has been surrounded by both excitement and controversy, but now that it’s out, the reactions are mixed.
Critics have given Snow White a lukewarm reception. The film currently holds a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 177 reviews. While some critics praised Zegler’s performance and the film’s stunning visuals, others expressed disappointment over changes to the classic story. Many feel that the film strays too far from the beloved 1937 animated version.
Perhaps the most surprising reaction comes from CinemaScore, which surveys moviegoers on opening night. Snow White received a B+, marking the lowest CinemaScore ever for a Disney live-action remake.
Previous adaptations have typically fared better: The Little Mermaid (2023) received an A, Aladdin (2019) scored an A, and Beauty and the Beast (2017) earned an A as well. Even The Lion King (2019), which faced criticism for its lack of expression in CGI characters, managed an A grade.
This suggests that while some audiences enjoyed the film, many left feeling underwhelmed.
Despite the mixed reviews, Snow White had a decent start at the box office. It grossed $3.5 million from Thursday previews, which is similar to Wonka (2023) and higher than Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King ($3.3 million). However, it falls short of past Disney live-action hits like Beauty and the Beast ($16.3 million) and The Lion King ($23 million) from their Thursday previews.
Current projections estimate an opening weekend between $45 million and $50 million in North America. While this is a respectable start, it’s far behind the massive debuts of some of Disney’s biggest remakes.
Directed by Marc Webb, Snow White reimagines the classic tale of a young princess who, with the help of seven dwarfs, fights to reclaim her kingdom from the Evil Queen. While Disney hoped to modernize the story for a new generation, not all fans have embraced the changes.
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