Disney's 'Snow White' Opens with a Lackluster $43 Million Amid Controversies, Poor Reviews

Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up! Disney's latest live-action remake, "Snow White," has opened with a whimper, not a bang, earning a lackluster $43 million in its opening weekend. This is a far cry from the $95 million opening of "The Little Mermaid" in 2023 and the $45 million of "Dumbo" in 2019. The market is sending a clear message: THIS IS NOT THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL!



The film, starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, has been mired in controversy from the get-go. Critics have panned the film, with a Tomatometer score of just 43% and a Popcornmeter score of 74%. The consensus? "Snow White is hardly a grumpy time at the movies thanks to Rachel Zegler's luminous star turn, but its bashful treatment of the source material along with some dopey stylistic choices won't make everyone happy, either."

So, what went wrong? Let's break it down:

- Controversy Central: The film has been plagued by controversy, from the casting of Rachel Zegler to the decision to make the dwarves CGI instead of employing actors with dwarfism. The absence of the iconic song "Someday My Prince Will Come" has also been a point of criticism. The market HATES uncertainty, and Disney has given it plenty to chew on.

- Critics' Consensus: The critics are not kind. Richard Lawson from Vanity Fair quipped, "This Snow White is not a made-for-TV movie shot in Burbank but is instead a theatrically released feature film that cost upwards of $250 million to make? Oh. Oh dear." Ouch! That's a direct hit to Disney's wallet.

- Audience Reviews: While some audience members have praised the cast and the singing, others have found the film lacking. Marrah, an audience reviewer, noted, "Seemed rushed, I feel like live action need not be so shallow on character development as cartoon versions. It was fine, new songs only moderately catchy." That's not the kind of buzz Disney wants to hear.

- Box Office Bomb: The film's opening weekend projections of $45 million were considered underwhelming, especially given its massive production cost of over $250 million. This places "Snow White" below other Disney live-action remakes like "The Little Mermaid" (2023), which made $95 million during its opening weekend, and "Dumbo" (2019), which earned $45 million on opening weekend but had a much lower production budget of $170 million.



So, what's next for Disney? The studio needs to pivot, and fast. Here are some strategies to mitigate the damage:

- Promote the Positives: Focus on the positive aspects of the film, such as Rachel Zegler's performance and the new songs, to attract audiences who are not swayed by the negative publicity.

- Engage with Critics and Audiences: Address their concerns and explain the creative decisions behind the film. Release behind-the-scenes footage or interviews with the cast and crew to provide context for the film's choices.

- Multi-Platform Release: Consider releasing the film on multiple platforms, such as streaming services or home video, to reach a wider audience and generate additional revenue.

- Highlight Themes of Kindness and Compassion: Invest in marketing campaigns that highlight the film's themes of kindness and compassion, which are central to the story and resonate with audiences of all ages.

Disney needs to act fast to turn this ship around. The market is unforgiving, and "Snow White" is a clear example of that. Stay tuned for more updates on this fairy tale gone wrong!