‘Snow White’ Scores Big with Audiences on Rotten Tomatoes – Critics Aren’t as Impressed

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 179 reviews. The audience score is altogether different, as the movie is currently rated with a 71% approval rate based on more than 500 reviews.

Fans enjoyed the movie for its magical and whimsical feel. Many praised the beautiful costumes. The music was a highlight, with “Whistle While You Work” being a fan favorite. Rachel Zegler’s performance as Snow White once again stood out, and some found the movie visually stunning with a dreamy, cottage-core aesthetic.

Despite some concerns about CGI dwarfs and casting choices, many felt it captured the classic Disney charm and had a sweet, traditional message of kindness.

While some critics and audiences 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.

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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