Snow White flops as Disney’s worst live-action remake in nearly a decade

Disney’s live-action Snow White, released in 2025, wrapped its theatrical run with a disappointing $205.5 million globally, marking the studio’s worst-performing remake since 2016’s Pete’s Dragon. Starring Rachel Zegler as the iconic princess, the film faced pre-release controversies over its modernized narrative and casting choices, which dampened audience turnout. With an estimated production budget nearing $200 million, losses may exceed $115 million, per Forbes. Now streaming on Disney+, Snow White stands in stark contrast to hits like Lilo & Stitch, which nears $1 billion. The flop raises questions about Disney’s remake strategy amid a competitive 2025 box office.

The film’s lackluster performance is an outlier for Disney, known for blockbuster remakes. While The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017) soared past $1 billion, Snow White struggled to gain traction. Compared to Pete’s Dragon, which grossed $143.7 million, Snow White fared better but fell short of breaking even.

Key factors behind the underperformance include:

• Pre-release backlash over changes to the classic tale.
• Strong competition from films like Lilo & Stitch.
• High audience expectations for a beloved Disney classic.
• Mixed reception to narrative updates and casting.

Public backlash and controversies

Months before its debut, Snow White sparked debates online. Revisions to the seven dwarfs and Rachel Zegler’s comments on updating the 1937 story fueled criticism. Some fans felt the changes strayed too far from the original, alienating a core audience. Despite Disney’s efforts to counter the narrative, the negative buzz persisted, impacting ticket sales.

The film’s opening weekend was modest, with numbers trailing expectations in major markets like the U.S. and China. A crowded release schedule, including Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon remake, further limited its reach. The controversy overshadowed the film’s visual achievements and strong performances, such as Gal Gadot’s turn as the Evil Queen.

Box office context and comparisons

Disney’s live-action remakes have historically been box office juggernauts. Aladdin (2019) and The Lion King (2019) each grossed over $1 billion, while Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) earned $722.6 million. Even Lilo & Stitch (2025) is on track to hit $1 billion with $772 million so far. Snow White’s $205.5 million pales in comparison.

The only remake with a worse performance was Mulan (2020), which earned $69.9 million due to a pandemic-disrupted release and simultaneous Disney+ debut. Unlike Mulan, Snow White had a full theatrical rollout, making its failure more pronounced. The gap between expectations and reality underscores the challenges of reimagining a cultural touchstone.

Financial breakdown

With a production budget estimated at $200 million, excluding marketing, Snow White needed roughly $400 million to break even. Its $205.5 million haul fell far short, leading to estimated losses of over $115 million. High costs stemmed from:

• Advanced visual effects to create the fairy-tale world.
• A star-studded cast, including Zegler and Gadot.
• Expensive European location shoots.
• Extensive marketing to counter pre-release controversies.

The financial hit is a rare misstep for Disney, which has relied on remakes as a steady revenue stream. The loss highlights the risks of high-budget adaptations in a competitive market.

Competing releases shine

While Snow White faltered, Lilo & Stitch thrived, grossing over $772 million globally. Its nostalgic appeal and family-friendly story resonated widely, bolstered by a robust marketing campaign. The film’s success shows that remakes can still captivate audiences when executed well.

Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon remake also posted strong numbers. Projected to open with $65-75 million domestically across 4,000 theaters, it earned $4.3 million in South Korea and $2.7 million in Brazil during previews. Global projections for its opening weekend range from $175-185 million, signaling a stark contrast to Snow White’s trajectory.

Distribution and streaming dynamics

Snow White enjoyed a wide theatrical release but moved to Disney+ shortly after its debut. The quick pivot may have reduced theater attendance, as some viewers opted to stream at home. This strategy, while boosting platform engagement, likely hurt box office longevity.

In contrast, Lilo & Stitch maintained a longer theatrical window, capitalizing on its family appeal. Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon leveraged premium formats like IMAX and 4DX, enhancing its draw. Disney’s less aggressive use of premium formats for Snow White may have limited its theatrical impact.

Global market performance

Snow White earned roughly $85 million in the U.S., with the rest from international markets. China, a key market for Disney, delivered underwhelming results, unlike The Lion King or Aladdin. Europe contributed modestly, but the film failed to dominate any major region.

Meanwhile, How to Train Your Dragon showed global strength. Its South Korean debut led with $4.3 million, followed by $1.4 million in France and $1.2 million in the U.K. Strong presales in China, where the franchise has grossed $120 million historically, point to further gains. The film’s rollout, excluding Japan’s September 5 opening, covers most major markets.

Critical response and expectations

Critics gave Snow White mixed reviews. While visuals and Gadot’s performance earned praise, the story and deviations from the original drew criticism. Its Rotten Tomatoes score lagged behind The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. As Disney’s first animated feature, Snow White carried immense expectations, making its shortcomings more glaring.

The pressure to modernize while honoring the 1937 classic divided audiences. Some embraced the fresh take, but others felt it lacked the original’s charm. The mixed reception compounded the film’s challenges in a competitive landscape.

Other 2025 remakes

Beyond Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, 2025 saw solid performances from other remakes. Ballerina, a John Wick spin-off, held steady in its second week, while Mufasa: The Lion King continued to draw crowds. These successes highlight that Snow White’s failure is an anomaly in a remake-friendly market.

Universal’s focus on premium formats for How to Train Your Dragon contrasts with Disney’s approach to Snow White. The former’s 413 IMAX screens and 4DX support boosted its appeal, a strategy Disney could consider for future releases.

Disney’s remake roadmap

Disney’s upcoming slate includes Hercules and Moana remakes. Snow White’s performance may prompt the studio to refine its approach, balancing nostalgia with innovation. The success of Lilo & Stitch suggests audiences still crave well-crafted remakes, but missteps can lead to costly failures.

The studio may prioritize stronger marketing and creative choices to avoid controversies. With a proven track record, Disney is likely to rebound, but Snow White serves as a cautionary tale in the high-stakes world of live-action adaptations.