North America: Disney’s live-action adaptation of Snow White has debuted at the top of the North American box office, despite receiving lukewarm reviews and encountering multiple controversies.
The film grossed an estimated $87.3 million (£67.5m) globally during its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo, with nearly half of that amount coming from North America. However, the earnings remain at the lower end of expectations, considering the reported $270 million production budget.
Anticipation for the film was high, but Snow White became a focal point for social and political debates even before its international release. The casting of Rachel Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, sparked criticism, while both Zegler’s pro-Palestinian statements and co-star Gal Gadot’s pro-Israel stance added to the controversy. Additionally, discussions about the depiction of the dwarfs—whether live-action or CGI—continued to fuel debate.
Critics have offered a divided response. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a critics’ score of just 44 percent, though audiences have given it a more favourable 73 percent on the site’s ‘Popcornometer’. Kevin Maher of one of the British newspaper dismissed it outright, stating that, “Believe the anti-hype, it’s that bad.” Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney found it “mostly captivating.”
Despite the mixed reception, Disney’s latest live-action remake has managed to lead the box office, though its long-term success remains uncertain.
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