Los Angeles, California – Disney’s latest live-action adaptation of the timeless fairy tale Snow White has made waves in the North American box office, surpassing expectations despite mixed reviews. The film raked in an impressive $87.3 million globally during its opening weekend, with almost half of that revenue coming from North America. However, this falls short of projections for a movie that reportedly had a budget of over $270 million.
The revamped version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs faced various controversies before its release, sparking debates on social and political issues. Criticism arose over the casting of Rachel Zegler, a Colombian descent actress, in the lead role. Additionally, there was backlash surrounding Zegler’s pro-Palestinian remarks and Israeli actress Gal Gadot’s pro-Israel comments, who portrays Snow White’s stepmother, the Evil Queen. The decision to include dwarfs in the film, whether live or CGI, also stirred up discussions among viewers.
In mainland China, the film failed to secure a spot in the top five at the box office, generating less than $1 million in the first three days of its release in a country with a vast population of over 1.4 billion. Entertainment industry consultant Patrick Frater suggested that the controversies surrounding the film may have diminished its appeal, coupled with the declining influence of Hollywood productions in Asia amidst the ongoing pandemic.
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave Snow White a mere 44% rating, while the audience ‘Popcornometer’ rating stands at a more favorable 73%. The Times’ chief film critic Kevin Maher warned viewers to “believe the anti-hype,” describing the film as less than impressive. On the other hand, David Rooney of the Hollywood Reporter found the movie “mostly captivating.” The film has been critiqued for its eerie CGI dwarfs and inconsistent tone, with some reviewers labeling it as a “mind-boggling mash-up.”
Despite the controversies and mixed reviews, Disney’s live-action Snow White adaptation continues to draw audiences to theaters, defying expectations and sparking conversations within the film industry and among viewers worldwide.