Disney’s Snow White concludes its theatre run, and the box office collections make me understand the negative reviews of the film

Disney’s Snow White has officially concluded its theatrical run, ending one of the studio’s most discussed and scrutinized live-action remakes. The film, released on March 21, 2025, followed over three years of debates, casting controversies, and critical speculation. Despite high production expectations and a well-known brand, I watched the film end its run with a theatrical performance that fell far short of Disney’s past standards for live-action adaptations.

According to a Forbes report published on June 7, 2025, Snow White earned approximately $205.5 million globally. This includes $87.2 million from North America and $118.3 million internationally. These figures sit well below the reported production budget of $269.4 million, not accounting for marketing and residual costs.

With opening weekend earnings of only $42.2 million domestically and a 66% drop in the second weekend, it was clear to me that the film was unable to build sustainable momentum. Coupled with the widespread online discourse and the mix of negative and defensive reviews I read, the box office numbers seemed to confirm the critical tone many had already taken.

Although the film is set to arrive on Disney+ soon, its theatrical numbers left me wondering how Disney miscalculated the reception so severely. On its final day in theatres, Snow White earned just $347 across 25 locations, as reported by The Numbers on June 5.

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Snow White struggles to recoup its production budget

Snow White, played by Rachel Zegler, interacts with a bluebird in a peaceful forest moment from the film. (Image via Disney)

As outlined by Forbes, Snow White ended its theatrical run with a global gross of approximately $205.5 million. The production budget alone stood at $269.4 million, which excludes marketing, distribution, and other residual costs. Once I factored in the 50-50 revenue split with theatres, it became clear how far below expectations the film had fallen.

A Deadline post-mortem published on March 31, 2025, projected that the film would need around $410 million in total revenue to break even, factoring in $111 million in global marketing costs and $29 million in residuals and other expenses. Based on those projections and the final numbers, it now appears that Disney is expected to lose more than $115 million. That figure caught my attention because it puts Snow White near the bottom of Disney’s live-action remake performances, even when compared to films that received better reviews but still missed the mark financially.

Despite early optimism that Snow White might perform like The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast, the film’s momentum quickly stalled. While The Little Mermaid had an opening weekend of $95 million in 2023, Snow White barely managed to clear $42 million. I kept thinking about how quickly audiences moved on, especially in international markets where the film never gained traction.

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Snow White’s reception and controversy affected audience turnout

Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen alongside Andrew Burnap and another supporting character in a dramatic scene from the film. (Image via Disney)

The film’s performance wasn’t just about numbers, it reflected the controversies that had surrounded it since day one. I remember reading The Independent’s March 24 report, noting the $16 million Friday and preview performance. That weekend made it clear that the film’s message and execution hadn’t landed with audiences.

Much of the criticism focused on how the original story had been updated. Rachel Zegler’s public remarks about the 1937 version, calling it outdated and problematic, drew strong reactions. I saw interviews and social media debates where Zegler’s comments were shared out of context, adding fuel to the backlash. As The Guardian reported on March 21, 2025, the friction between Zegler and parts of the audience intensified once discussions around Gal Gadot’s casting and political views entered the conversation.

Even before its release, Disney scaled back its promotional campaign. I noticed how little fanfare there was compared to previous Disney remakes. Zegler appeared in Europe, performing at Alcazar de Segovia, while Gadot handled the U.S. press circuit. For a film this expensive, the lack of unified promotional energy felt unusual.

Critics couldn’t agree either. Some, like The Hollywood Reporter, described the film as mostly captivating, while UK outlets such as The Times and The Guardian were far more critical. Rotten Tomatoes' 40% critic score told me what I needed to know, audiences weren’t wrong to be skeptical.

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Snow White’s digital release and long-term recovery

Rachel Zegler’s Snow White appears in a tense forest scene, wearing a modernized version of the character’s iconic costume. (Image via Disney)

Disney has announced that Snow White will stream on Disney+ starting June 11, 2025. I’m curious whether the film will get a second chance with home audiences, but I’m also cautious. According to Deadline, the studio might make back some losses through streaming, home entertainment, and merchandise.

Still, I don’t think that will be enough to change the broader narrative. Ticket presales didn’t begin until two weeks before release, which already told me that Disney wasn’t banking on a massive theatrical opening. For comparison, other titles like The Little Mermaid had month-long presale campaigns.

The debate around the seven dwarfs added another layer. Peter Dinklage’s 2022 comments had called out the “backward” portrayal of dwarfs in past versions. Disney responded by using CGI characters instead of casting actors with dwarfism. While the studio claimed it consulted advocacy groups, the move drew criticism for eliminating job opportunities. As a viewer, it felt like a no-win situation for Disney: whatever they chose, someone would have taken issue.

Whether Snow White gains new popularity through Disney+ will depend on how forgiving the streaming audience is. I’ve seen films that flopped in theatres perform surprisingly well online, but Snow White might not have the kind of story or spectacle that draws people back for repeat viewings.

After watching how this unfolded, I believe Snow White shows how fragile the success of a major studio film can be. The story was always going to invite comparisons to the original, but the added burden of off-screen controversies, creative changes, and public backlash made it nearly impossible to succeed. For me, it wasn’t just about whether the film was good or bad, it was about how all the noise surrounding it clouded whatever it tried to say.