The atmosphere at Disney was somber on Sunday as Snow White failed to meet expectations, earning an estimated $43 million domestically in its opening weekend. Initially projected to clear $100 million globally, the live-action remake instead fell short at $87.3 million.
By Monday, final weekend numbers confirmed an even lower domestic total of $42.2 million and a global start of $86.1 million.
A Costly Setback
While these numbers might not typically spell disaster for a female-driven film, Snow White faces serious challenges due to its massive budget. The film cost $270 million to produce, with another $100 million or more spent on marketing.
Based on early ticket sales and mixed word-of-mouth, the film may struggle to reach $300 million or $400 million globally—far short of the $500 million+ needed to break even, according to rival studio executives and box office analysts speaking with The Hollywood Reporter.
For comparison, 2019’s Dumbo opened to $45 million domestically and ultimately grossed $353 million worldwide—and that was with a significantly lower budget of $170 million.
Can Disney Turn It Around?
Despite the weak opening, Disney has a history of defying the odds. Over Christmas 2024, many assumed Mufasa: The Lion King was doomed after opening to $35.4 million domestically, yet it ultimately grossed nearly $718 million worldwide, multiplying its opening weekend earnings by seven—a rare feat.
Similarly, Elemental rebounded post-release, making five times its opening box office before becoming a streaming hit.
The key difference? Those films weren’t plagued by negative reviews and lukewarm audience reception.
Snow White MoviePolitical Controversy and Audience Trends
The film also found itself entangled in political controversy, largely due to its star, Rachel Zegler, who has been outspoken on social issues.
At one point, far-right conservatives dubbed the movie “Snow Woke” and called for a boycott after Zegler criticized then-President Donald Trump’s deportation policies. She later apologized for the tone of her comments, but the controversy lingered.
However, data suggests that average moviegoers may not be as influenced by political debates as social media and news headlines imply.
Behind-the-Scenes Challenges
The film’s budget ballooned due to COVID-19 safety measures, 2023’s Hollywood labor strikes, and even a set fire. One insider claims the movie was originally greenlit at $200 million to $210 million, but rising production costs and creative adjustments pushed expenses higher.
The film was developed under Disney’s previous live-action leadership, but the current studio head, David Greenbaum, made last-minute tweaks after taking over a year ago.
A Shifting Box Office Landscape
When Disney first committed to a live-action Snow White, it seemed like a safe bet. Previous Disney princess remakes had found box office success:
- Beauty and the Beast (2017) debuted to $174.6 million domestically
- Cinderella (2015) opened at $67.9 million on a modest $90 million budget
- Maleficent (2014) launched with $69 million (though its sequel, Mistress of Evil, underperformed at $37 million)
However, the movie industry has changed significantly since then, making Snow White’s weak opening especially concerning.
Will Snow White Recover?
Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian acknowledges that Snow White’s start isn’t ideal given its huge budget, but says its ultimate profitability will depend on multiple revenue streams:
“Its long-term playability in theaters, eventual streaming, merchandising, music revenue plus theme park tie-ins.”
For now, Disney faces an uphill battle as Snow White attempts to find its footing in a changing box office landscape.