Okay movie lovers it's time to talk about Snow White . Disney's live-action remake of the classic fairy tale jUSt hit theaters and well it's been a bit of a bumpy ride. Between casting choices changes to the story and some serious online chatter this movie has definitely stirred up a lot of feelings. Let's dive into the drama the box office numbers and figure out what's behind all the buzz both good and not-so-good.
Sleepy Box Office? Snow White's Opening Numbers Are Lower Than Expected Amidst Controversy
So how did Snow White do at the box office right out of the gate ? Honestly the opening weekend was a bit... underwhelming. It brought in around $43 million in the US. That sounds like a lot right? But for a huge Disney movie that cost around $270 million to make it's not exactly a fairytale start. IndUStry folks were hoping for closer to $50-$60 million for the opening so it fell short of those predictions.
Compared to other Disney princess movies like Cinderella from about ten years ago Snow White's opening is noticeably lower . Cinderella which had way less online drama opened to nearly double that amount back in 2015 even adjusting for inflation. Some experts are wondering if audiences are just getting tired of these live-action remakes or if something else is going on with Snow White. It’s still early days though and Disney is hoping it will have staying power especially with families.
From Casting to Dwarfs: Unpacking the Snow White Controversies That Fueled Online Debate
Why the lukewarm reception? Well Snow White has been in the middle of a bunch of controversies even before it premiered. It kind of became a lightning rod for different online debates. Here are some of the main points of contention:
- Rachel Zegler Casting Backlash: Casting Rachel Zegler a Colombian-American actress as Snow White sparked some negative reactions online. Some people just didn't like a non-white actress in the role for... reasons.
- Gal Gadot and Political Tensions: Casting Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen also brought up some controversy. Gadot an Israeli actress has been outspoken about her views on the Israel-Hamas war and this led to calls for boycotts from some groups.
- Dwarfs Reimagined: The movie changed the Seven Dwarfs to "magical creatures" instead of little people. This decision was met with criticism from actor Peter Dinklage among others who felt it erased dwarf representation even though Disney said they were trying to avoid stereotypes.
Did these controversies hurt the movie? Some analysts think so especially the casting choices. They suggest that some moviegoers might prefer original stories with diverse characters instead of remaking classic characters and changing them. However others think that the controversies probably didn't reach the families and kids who are the main audience for Disney princess movies .
Remake Fatigue or Real Issues? Analyzing Why Snow White Might Be Underperforming
Besides the controversies there might be other factors affecting Snow White's box office. Some experts are wondering if audiences are just getting tired of these live-action Disney remakes in general. There have been so many lately maybe the novelty is wearing off. Plus the movie release schedule in late February and March might not be as strong as usual with fewer big blockbuster competitors compared to last year.
However some are still optimistic. They point out that Disney movies often "settle in" meaning they can have long runs in theaters especially if they are family-friendly. And with Easter coming up and not a ton of direct competition for family films Snow White might still find its audience over the next few weeks. It is definitely a bit of a box office rollercoaster.
Mixed Reviews: Critics are Lukewarm but Audiences are a Bit More Positive on Snow White
What are critics and audiences actually saying about the movie itself? Reviews are pretty mixed to say the least. On Rotten Tomatoes the critics' score is fairly low while the audience score is a bit higher but still not overwhelmingly positive. Some critics have called it "toe-curlingly terrible" while others found parts of it "captivating". Overall the general vibe seems to be that it is not a disaster but not exactly a must-see either.
Some reviews mention the CGI dwarfs as being a bit creepy and the tone of the movie as being "muddled". It sounds like it might be a bit of a mixed bag creatively which could also be contributing to the less-than-stellar box office numbers.
Snow White Controversies - Quick List:
- Casting of Rachel Zegler: Backlash against a non-white actress playing Snow White.
- Gal Gadot's Political Views: Boycott calls due to her pro-Israel stance.
- Reimagining of the Seven Dwarfs: Criticism for changing the dwarfs to "magical creatures" and perceived erasure of dwarf actors.
The Fairy Tale Isn't Over Yet: Will Snow White Find Its Happy Ending at the Box Office?
So Snow White's start might be a bit "sleepy" but the story is not over. It is still playing in theaters around the world and Disney is hoping word-of-mouth and the lack of family movie competition will help it pick up steam. Whether it becomes a box office success or a cautionary tale about remakes and controversies remains to be seen. One thing is for sure though Snow White has definitely sparked a conversation about casting representation and how classic stories are adapted for modern audiences. What do you think? Did the controversies affect your interest in seeing the movie?