The live action remake of Disney’s first fully animated feature film “Snow White” made its theatrical debut March 21, 2025.
Controversy and online hate followed the film since its initial announcement in late 2022. Outrage over political views from lead actresses, Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, and the exclusion of real people with dwarfism from the cast have tainted the movie’s perception in the public eye.
The film has since become the lowest rated film on IMDb and is projected to lose $115 million at the box office.
The controversy has tainted the otherwise anticipated movie, held together by an impressive star performance from Snow White’s actress, Rachel Zeglar.
Unlike Disney’s previous remakes like the “Lion King,” “Snow White” includes changes to the plot that are different from the original telling of the story; however, not all changes were welcomed by online critics.
Justin Chang, film critic for The New Yorker, made a statement criticizing the new romantic interest for Snow White.
“From time to time, you are reminded of the fleet romantic-comedy touch that Webb brought, years earlier, to ‘(500) Days of Summer’ (2009) and parts of ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ (2012). Mostly, though, you are arrested by the combativeness of the characters’ screwball banter,” Chang said.
The film’s plot changes were drastic enough for it to be classified as an entirely new film, separate from “Snow White.”
An example of a controversial change is Prince Charming’s stand-in for the film, Jonathan, who is transformed from a prince in the original, to a poor bandit in this film. He helps Snow White in her pursuit to overthrow the Evil Queen by waking her from eternal slumber with a kiss.
Snow White became a more independent character, which contrasted how she was written in the original.
In the remake, Snow White does not wish for love or a Prince to come take her away, like in the original movie. Instead, she wishes to be a fair and strong leader like her father was. Also, unlike in the original, Snow White defeats the Evil Queen by rallying the people of the kingdom with kindness against the Queen. Originally, the Queen died from falling off a cliff, while trying to kill the Dwarves.
Despite all these new changes, the writers were still required to keep certain parts of the film the same.
Similar plot issues have appeared in every Disney princess remake since “Cinderella” in 2015. Writers are expected to keep the original story, while inserting new plot lines that warrant a remake. Disney’s 2019 remake of “The Lion King” was criticized for its unoriginality and lack of inspiration when the film writers stuck closer to the original plotline.
Audiences have also grown tired of Disney’s live action remakes. Movies like “Aladdin” and “The Lion King” broke over $1 million at the box office, while “Snow White,” “Dumbo” and “Mulan” failed to make their budget’s worth.
Disney’s live action remake of “Tangled” has reportedly paused production indefinitely. This news comes right after the backlash seen from “Snow White” and the failures of other Disney productions at the box office. Disney’s focus on originality has long gone as the priority to make profit increases.
Live action remakes of “Moana” and “Lilo & Stitch” will be released this year in theatres with anticipation regarding their box office performance. These movies are likely Disney’s last chances to prove live action remakes are still enjoyable.
