Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White And The Seven Dwarves” has cast a spell on the box office, despite a marketing campaign steeped in controversy. This modern take on the 1937 classic has pulled in an impressive $43 million domestically and $87.3 million worldwide during its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo. In the UK and Ireland, the film captured the hearts of audiences, accounting for 43% of all tickets sold over its three-day debut.
In comparison, Disney’s recent releases like “Mufasa: The Lion King” and Tim Burton’s “Dumbo” saw similar successes, but “Snow White” stumbled in the Chinese market, where it barely scraped $1 million. Reviews have been a mixed bag, with The Guardian calling it an “exhaustingly awful reboot,” and The Observer echoing this sentiment. However, some outlets like Variety have praised it as a “mostly captivating” adaptation, while The Hollywood Reporter found it “one of the better live-action adaptations.”
The film, which cost about $250 million to make, has been marred by controversies from its onset. Critics labeled it “woke” due to the casting of Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress, in the titular role. Zegler also faced backlash for her comments on the 1937 original, suggesting its content was outdated for modern audiences. The use of CGI to portray the seven dwarves has stirred further discontent, with disability activists accusing Disney of erasing representation opportunities for little people.
Despite these controversies, audience interest hasn’t wavered. The film’s Rotten Tomatoes score tells a story of disparity—44% from critics but a more favorable 74% from audiences. The film’s release strategy was equally troubled, featuring a muted marketing campaign with no UK premiere and limited press activities in the US.
The buzz surrounding the film shows no signs of slowing, with discussions about the use of CGI and casting choices still making headlines. Snow White is now playing in cinemas, offering everyone a chance to weigh in on this hotly debated modern fairytale.
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Source: Bethany Minelle
