Disney’s latest live-action adaptation, “Snow White,” starring Rachel Zegler, has been deemed a historic box office disaster, struggling to compete against other family films, most notably the recently released “Minecraft.” After three weeks in theaters, “Snow White” has generated a mere $168 million globally, a stark contrast to “Minecraft,” which raked in $163 million during its opening weekend alone in the U.S.
The film’s disappointing performance has drawn criticism from media outlets attempting to frame Zegler as a victim amid the backlash, but audiences have largely rejected the film. It has received one of the lowest ratings in history on IMDb, suggesting that viewer sentiment is overwhelmingly negative. With a significant 58% drop in ticket sales in its third weekend, “Snow White” has fallen behind not only “Minecraft” but also lesser-known films such as “The Chosen,” which has managed to outperform it despite being shown in 1,500 fewer theaters.
Analysts project that “Snow White” will struggle to reach the $200 million mark, facing a potential loss exceeding $300 million when accounting for its production and marketing costs, which are estimated to be upwards of $400 million. Disney typically retains only about half of the box office revenue, meaning the studio is likely to earn around $100 million from this film, leaving them with a staggering financial shortfall.
While some industry commentators speculate that negative reviews and “review-bombing” have contributed to its failure, the overwhelming evidence suggests that audiences simply chose not to engage with the film. In contrast, “Minecraft” has successfully captured the attention and enthusiasm of its target demographic, highlighting a clear disconnect between “Snow White” and family moviegoers.
As the dust settles on this box office debacle, it remains clear that Disney’s “Snow White” is not only a disappointment for the studio but also a cautionary tale about the challenges of reviving classic narratives in a competitive cinematic landscape.