Los Angeles, CA – The highly anticipated Disney film, Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, is facing estimated losses of $115 million across all global platforms, including home entertainment, TV, and Disney+. This news comes from distribution sources on Monday. The disappointing box office numbers have led to this substantial financial setback for the studio, with a final worldwide box office total of $225 million.
Snow White’s performance at the domestic box office fell short of expectations, with a projected $100 million, lower than the gross of another Disney live-action remake, 2019’s Dumbo. Internationally, the film brought in $125 million. Despite hitting theaters on March 21, Snow White struggled during its second weekend in the U.S., seeing a 66% drop in revenue. The global total reached $36.3 million, resulting in a worldwide total of $143.1 million.
Forecasts predict that Snow White will generate $295 million in revenue from various sources, including film rentals, home entertainment, streaming, TV, and merchandise. However, the film incurred significant expenses totaling $410 million, covering production costs, advertising, residuals, and other expenses.
Looking ahead, potential revenue from theme parks and other ancillaries could help offset some of the losses. Additionally, the film’s release on Disney+ may attract a new audience and increase viewership in the future.
While Snow White was a strategic move for Disney, featuring notable talent both in front of and behind the camera, the film faced challenges in a competitive box office landscape. The controversy surrounding the film, along with other factors, may have impacted its performance. Lessons can be learned from this experience, particularly regarding the importance of positive publicity in today’s digital age.
In analyzing Snow White’s box office performance, it is clear that classic Disney adaptations face unique challenges compared to newer properties. Moving forward, Disney may need to explore innovative approaches to reimagining beloved characters and stories to appeal to modern audiences.
The success of films like Cruella indicates that there is potential for reinventing classic Disney tales in creative ways. With the guidance of Disney Studios boss David Greenbaum, future adaptations may take on a more avant-garde approach, similar to the success of Cruella. This shift in strategy could provide a fresh perspective on familiar stories and characters, leading to greater success at the box office.