Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Snow White is set to hit theaters on March 21, 2025, and early box office projections have now surfaced. While the film is expected to post a solid opening, its figures appear to fall short when compared to other live-action Disney remakes.
Projected Opening Weekend Revenue
According to reports from Deadline and Quorum, Snow White is currently tracking for a domestic opening weekend in the range of $63-$70 million. Other sources have also estimated a figure close to $65 million. If these numbers hold, it would mark a career-best opening for lead actress Rachel Zegler, surpassing her previous record of $44.6 million for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
The projected opening puts Snow White in a similar category to Disney’s 2014 live-action film Maleficent, which debuted at $69.4 million before earning $758.5 million globally. However, the numbers are notably lower when compared to some of Disney’s most successful live-action adaptations like Beauty and the Beast ($174.8 million opening) and The Lion King ($191.8 million opening).
Budget Concerns and Break-Even Estimates
Despite a promising start, concerns arise regarding the film’s profitability. Reports indicate that Snow White‘s budget ballooned to $269 million, excluding marketing expenses. Factoring in additional costs, the movie would need to gross approximately $673 million worldwide to break even. Given current projections, achieving this milestone may prove challenging.
Comparisons to Other Disney Live-Action Remakes
Disney has seen mixed results with its live-action adaptations. While some films have soared at the box office, others have struggled to reach profitability. Below is a comparison of Snow White‘s projections with other notable Disney live-action films:
| Title | Opening Weekend Domestic Box Office | Final Global Box Office Tally |
|---|---|---|
| Maleficent | $69.4 Million | $758.4 Million |
| Cinderella | $67.9 Million | $542.4 Million |
| The Jungle Book | $103.3 Million | $966.6 Million |
| Beauty and the Beast | $174.8 Million | $1.27 Billion |
| Dumbo | $46 Million | $353.3 Million |
| Aladdin | $91.5 Million | $1.05 Billion |
| The Lion King | $191.8 Million | $1.66 Billion |
| Cruella | $26.5 Million | $233.5 Million |
| The Little Mermaid | $118.8 Million | $569.6 Million |
| Mufasa: The Lion King | $35.4 Million | $654.5 Million |
| Snow White (Projected) | $63-70 Million | N/A |
While Snow White’s projected debut is stronger than films like Cruella and Dumbo, it still falls significantly below the $90-$100 million range that previous remakes, such as Aladdin and The Jungle Book, enjoyed.
Production Challenges and Controversies
The production of Snow White has faced several challenges and controversies over the years, which may impact audience reception. Early criticism came when Rachel Zegler made controversial remarks about the original animated film, leading to backlash from certain Disney fans. Additionally, actor Peter Dinklage openly criticized Disney’s decision to include dwarf characters, arguing that it was a regressive move despite the studio’s efforts to modernize the portrayal.
In response, Disney released a statement clarifying its approach:
“To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community. We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.”
However, Disney’s final decision to make Snow White‘s companions CGI-animated characters instead of casting actors with dwarfism led to further backlash. Some members of the dwarfism community criticized the studio for eliminating a key casting opportunity.
Beyond these controversies, the film also faced delays. Originally slated for a March 2024 release, it was pushed back a full year due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes. Production also suffered a setback in 2022 when a fire broke out on set, though no injuries were reported.
Competition and Future Prospects
Snow White is set to open on March 21, 2025, with relatively little competition. Its biggest rival in the market will be Robert De Niro’s Alto Knights, which is not targeting the same family-friendly audience. This could work in Snow White’s favor, allowing it to capture the full attention of families looking for a major theatrical release.
Despite its challenges, there is still hope for the film. Past Disney adaptations, such as Mufasa: The Lion King, experienced slow openings before ultimately gaining momentum through positive word of mouth. If Snow White manages to resonate with audiences, it may still turn into a long-term box office success.
Final Thoughts
Disney’s Snow White is tracking for a respectable yet modest opening compared to other live-action remakes. With a projected $63-70 million debut, it is unlikely to match the highest-grossing Disney adaptations but could still find its audience if positive word-of-mouth boosts its long-term performance. However, with a massive budget and ongoing controversies surrounding the film, its final box office outcome remains uncertain.
