Disney delivered their live-action Snow White remake in early 2025, and here’s what to know about the controversial reimagining. In some ways, it is a bit surprising that Disney waited as long as it had to do a remake of Snow White. After all, the original 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Disney’s very first animated feature, and thus it casts a long shadow over the company’s output ever since. Then again, perhaps Snow White’s status as the textbook Disney Princess fairytale is why Disney has been hesitant to bring it to live-action.
The original Snow White is a landmark animated movie and is perhaps Disney’s signature production. So many aspects of Snow White influenced Disney movies that followed, so living up to its legacy was always challenging. Yet, that is exactly what today’s Disney team has attempted to do with its live-action Snow White, a project that aimed to both pay tribute to the classic tale while also making notable alterations. Like every adaptation of an animated classic, the live-action Snow White remake gained a lot of attention and a fair share of controversy before it even arrived.
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The Live-Action Snow White Remake Box Office & Critical Reception
A Poorly-Reviewed Return To A Disney Classic
Because of the movie’s controversy, assessing the actual quality of the film through reviews isn’t as straightforward as other movies. Overall, Snow White has been quite poorly received, with the film failing to pass the 50% mark on Rotten Tomatoes. Though some reviews have been positive, such as IGN‘s 7 out of 10 score, most have been apathetic or downright negative. The consensus seems to be that Snow White is bland and unimaginative, something unusual for a Disney production (via Rolling Stone).
Though the live-action remake did top its tepid opening weekend it has still performed far below expectations.
As for Snow White‘s box office, the picture is just as middling. Though the live-action remake did top its tepid opening weekend (via BBC) it has still performed far below expectations. With a reported production budget of $250 million, its opening of only $80 million (via Box Office Mojo) is nothing when considering the full cost of a modern feature film. When factoring in the marketing and advertising costs, the movie could cost anywhere between $300 and $500 million all told. While it’s likely that the film could recoup those costs, it probably won’t turn a very tidy profit.
Snow White premiered on March 21, 2025.
Disney’s Live-Action Snow White Cast
Rachel Zegler Stars As Snow White
Disney’s live-action Snow White remake cast is led by Rachel Zegler as Snow White. While Zegler is still a rising name, adding some bigger star power to the Snow White cast is Gal Gadot, plays the Evil Queen. Playing a villain inspired by an animated character, and being a villain, has allowed Gadot to play around with her acting style more than usual. Gadot has even explained in interviews that she’s changed her voice for the role.
Broadway star Andrew Burnap portrays a new love interest named Jonathan, who is a Robin Hood-esque rogue. Martin Klebba —a veteran of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise — plays Grumpy. Martin Klebba has actually appeared in multiple Snow White adaptations in the past, including 2012’s Mirror, Mirror, and 2001’s Snow White: The Fairest Of Them All.
The confirmed cast of the live-action Snow White includes:
Actor | Snow White Role | |
|---|---|---|
Rachel Zegler | Snow White | 
|
Gal Gadot | The Evil Queen | 
|
Andrew Burnap | Jonathan | 
|
Ansu Kabia | The Huntsman | 
|
Martin Klebba | Grumpy | 
|
Dujonna Gift | Maple | 
|
Colin Michael Carmichael | Farno | 
|
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The Snow White Live-Action Controversies Explained
Fans Are Divided Over The Live-Action Remake
Images that were taken by press during filming kicked off some casting controversy as many of those who saw the pictures were less than happy. The stills, which featured what looked like Snow White and the seven dwarfs, caused an uproar among some fans. They were actually Zegler’s stand-in and seven actors of various genders and ethnic backgrounds as the seven dwarfs. The bulk of the backlash was levied at Disney for not casting people of smaller stature in the seven dwarf roles, as well as Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, being cast as Snow White.
For some fans, the implication is that Snow White didn’t have value as a Disney Princess without becoming a leader, or that dreaming of true love isn’t something a young woman should do.
Zegler found herself in the middle of controversy again because of her comments about the modernization in the movie. At D23 in September 2022, Zegler explained to the press that she believed the live-action movie brought Snow White out of the conventions of the past to become a woman that could be a leader and didn’t need a prince to save her. For some fans, the implication is that Snow White didn’t have value as a Disney Princess without becoming a leader, or that dreaming of true love isn’t something a young woman should do.
The Live-Action Snow White Trailer
Watch The Trailers Below
Disney used their 2024 D23 fan expo event as the perfect place to debut the teaser trailer for Snow White, and it offers a clear look at the movie’s cartoonish style. Though very little is revealed by way of the story or even many of the characters, it does highlight Snow White’s scary journey as well as the Evil Queen’s dastardly motives. Accomplishing its goal magnificently, the teaser hints at what is to come without giving away too much.
Six months after the first teaser arrived, Disney revealed a full trailer for the live-action Snow White adaptation in early December 2024. The lengthy look establishes the basic story framework, with Snow White fleeing the vengeful wrath of the Evil Queen, who wants to be the fairest of them all. While showing off the vibrant look of the movie, the trailer also offers the first real look at the dwarves, who are done in the cartoonish style of the rest of the film. Several key scenes are teased, as well as some of the movie’s new music.
The Live-Action Snow White Ending & Spoilers
A Classic Tale With Modern Sensibilities
The ending of Snow White delivered exactly what Disney promised it would, by using the original story as a launching point for something new. Small changes don’t deviate too far from the basic premise of the fair tale, and it keeps it from becoming a beat-for-beat recreation of the film from the ’30s. Disney’s live-action remakes often struggle to justify their own existence because they’re too similar to their predecessors, but Snow White at least attempted to go for something that was both familiar and new.
Snow White
5/10
- Release Date
-
March 21, 2025
- Runtime
-
109 Minutes
- Director
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Marc Webb
- Writers
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Erin Cressida Wilson, Wilhelm Grimm
- Producers
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Callum McDougall, Marc Platt
