Disney’s Snow White disaster: How a $336M budget led to a $170M loss
Disney’s long-awaited live-action remake of Snow White is estimated to have resulted in a significant financial setback for the studio, with losses of approximately $170 million following its theatrical release.
According to Forbes, Snow White has been among Disney’s most financially troubled productions in recent years; The filings reveal that the film is predicted to exceed its production budget by a staggering $336.5 million (£271.1 million), according to Forbes.
Controversy from the beginning
The film, one of the most controversial films in Disney history, starred Rachel Zegler in the lead role and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. According to the report, there has been controversy surrounding the project almost from the moment cameras started rolling in 2022.
Zegler faced criticism after publicly condemning some elements of the 1937 animated classic on which the remake is based. She described Prince Charming’s behavior as similar to a “stalker” and called the original film “extremely dated when it comes to ideas of women in power roles,” comments that sparked backlash among some fans and industry veterans.
Among those criticizing the remake was David Hand, whose father worked on the original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which earned Walt Disney an honorary Oscar. Hand said the film’s creators would be “turning in their graves” and Forbes added that the original was made “in good taste.”
trailer gap
The controversy intensified following the release of the film’s first trailer, which featured computer-generated dwarves. Critics described the characters as disturbing reinterpretations of beloved originals. According to the report, the trailer has become one of the most disliked videos on YouTube, garnering over a million dislikes.
Snow White struggled to meet expectations at the box office. According to Forbes report, Snow White grossed $87.3 million worldwide in its opening weekend; 13% below estimates. The film ultimately grossed only $205.7 million worldwide, making it the fifth-lowest-performing film among Disney’s 21 live-action theatrical adaptations of animated classics.
