Why Disney's "Snow White" Remake Is Failing: The Backlash Explained
Is Disney's latest attempt at a fairytale classic, the 2025 Snow White remake, destined for the cinematic graveyard? Initial reviews and audience reactions strongly suggest that this reimagining, despite its pedigree and star power, is facing a critical avalanche.
The project, a high-profile undertaking from the entertainment behemoth, has been marred by a series of controversies, pre-release drama, and a general sense of creative missteps. The film's visual aesthetic, the storytelling choices, and the casting decisions have all come under intense scrutiny, painting a rather bleak picture for its box office prospects. While the release date looms, the anticipation is more akin to a nervous wait than excited buzz. The film, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has been embroiled in scandal for various reasons ever since it was officially launched in 2021, and its future is being questioned.
| Full Name: | Rachel Zegler |
| Born: | May 3, 2001 (age 22) |
| Birthplace: | Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Actress, Singer |
| Years Active: | 2017present |
| Known for: | West Side Story, Shazam! Fury of the Gods |
| Notable Awards: | Golden Globe Award for Best Actress Motion Picture Comedy or Musical (2022) |
| Upcoming Projects: | Snow White (2025) |
| Reference: | Wikipedia |
The issues surrounding the film are multifaceted. One of the primary criticisms leveled at the Snow White remake is its perceived low production quality. Some observers have gone so far as to say it visually resembles a low-budget film from the 1980s, a damning indictment in an era of soaring cinematic standards. The costume design has been widely panned as "horrible," and the overall aesthetic has failed to capture the imagination of critics, who are the gatekeepers of cinematic taste.
The narrative choices are also under fire. The film seems to be following a familiar formula, one that many critics find tired. The classic "good versus evil" trope, while foundational to the fairytale, has to be executed flawlessly. There is an observation that this Snow White remake is reminiscent of a low-budget film.
Adding to the woes, the casting decisions have been a source of contention. When Rachel Zegler was cast in the leading role, criticism erupted online. Many viewers voiced concerns, questioning the suitability of the casting choice based on ethnicity and appearance. This pre-release drama set a tone of skepticism, with negative perceptions influencing audience expectations even before the film's official debut. Variety published an article, citing anonymous sources, about possible reasons why Snow White did not perform better at the box office. Variety's article focuses on Zegler's controversial comments on social media and in interviews.
Despite Zeglers performance being praised, Disneys Snow White has received low ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. The film currently carries a terrible 44% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score is better, sitting at 74%, but that is more of a wait to stream score at best. These ratings stand in stark contrast to the high expectations that usually accompany a Disney production. The discrepancy between critical reception and potential audience enthusiasm raises significant questions about the film's longevity and its ability to resonate with viewers beyond its initial release window.
The reviews, in particular, are brutal. Critics, often the barometer for a film's artistic success, have not been kind to the Snow White remake. It currently has a 43 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a middling score of 50 on Metacritic. The film was released on March 21, and amid all the controversies, the film did manage to create a little buzz, too. This unfavorable reception, when combined with the pre-release drama, paints a worrying picture for the film's overall performance. The film received a 2.5/10 IMDb rating upon release, which has since dropped to 1.7/10, a reflection of the harsh criticism it has faced.
The film's disappointing performance at the box office, despite the star power and established franchise, warrants deeper examination. Critics' perceptions hold sway. The film's production quality is a major concern. The costume design has been widely panned. There is a sense that the film's production values do not match the scale of the Disney brand. The expectation was that the movie would exceed the quality of its budget. However, the film received $3.5 million in previews, critics, and fans question its future. The response to Snow White, which currently has unbelievably low audience ratings, has already led to a question of how the film will perform.
The core issue, beyond the specifics of the production, lies in the inability of the remake to connect with audiences. While the source material, the 1937 animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, holds a special place in cinematic history, the 2025 update appears to have stumbled in its attempt to recapture that magic. The film's struggles are amplified by the controversy surrounding Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot.
The film's creators made a series of choices that appear to have missed the mark. One such choice was the decision to dramatically alter the core narrative. Snow White marries her prince, takes over the kingdom and makes a public spectacle out of roasting her stepmother alive in a giant oven at her wedding. This shocking divergence from the original narrative underscores a fundamental problem. These radical revisions, coupled with the film's visual and thematic shortcomings, suggest a disconnect between the filmmakers' vision and the expectations of the audience.
As of this writing, and just a day before Snow White hits the big screen, the film has a certified rotten score of just 46% from 108 critics. This is a significant point of concern, since it indicates that the film will sink in the depths of critical reviews, just like the Titanic. The project, a high-profile undertaking from the entertainment behemoth, has been marred by a series of controversies, pre-release drama, and a general sense of creative missteps.
The film's problems are so pronounced. The filmmakers have also failed to connect with audiences. The narrative changes, aesthetic problems, and casting choices are the primary factors that have contributed to the film's underwhelming critical reception and audience response. The 2025 remake faces an uphill battle, with many questioning whether it can overcome the negativity and find its footing in the competitive cinematic landscape.
The magical music adventure journeys back to the timeless story with beloved characters Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy. This is yet another aspect of the film that has failed to resonate with audiences. One of the film's primary issues is its poor production quality.
The anticipation surrounding Disney's Snow White remake has dissipated, replaced by a sense of disappointment. The film's poor ratings and the general lack of buzz suggest that it will not meet the high expectations that Disney films are known for.
The criticism of the new Snow White began when Rachel Zegler was cast in the leading role. Many viewers felt she was unfit for the role due to her ethnicity and appearance. The movie, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has been embroiled in scandal for various reasons ever since it was officially launched in 2021.
On top of the prerelease drama, Snow White has also suffered from unfavorable reviews; it currently has a 43 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a middling score of 50 on Metacritic. The films disappointing performance at the box office, despite the star power and established franchise, warrants deeper examination.
