Disney’s live-action Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, opened in theaters on March 21, 2025—and instead of casting a spell, it’s become one of the most chaotic releases in Disney’s modern history. With just $42.2 million in domestic ticket sales its opening weekend, the film has fallen well below Disney’s $60 million projection. And box office woes are only part of the story. The movie has been caught in a storm of controversy—from backlash over casting and story changes to politically charged criticism, boycotts, and even reported death threats.
Announced all the way back in 2016, Snow White was pitched as a modern reimagining of the beloved 1937 classic. Zegler’s Snow White is less about true love’s kiss and more about becoming a leader. Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen brings a sleek, malicious energy that fans of Wonder Woman might’ve welcomed in another context. But controversy has followed the film since the first casting announcements, and the changes meant to update the story for a new generation have instead turned the film into a lightning rod for online culture wars. With a 42% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and widespread disappointment on social media, the response has been loud—and largely negative.
Rachel Zegler, a Colombian-American actress who rose to fame in West Side Story, was cast as Snow White in 2021. While many celebrated the inclusive casting, others criticized it for straying from the original description of “skin white as snow.” Zegler responded that the name reflected Snow’s resilience, not her appearance, but backlash only grew. Then came Gal Gadot, whose outspoken support for Israel in recent years has drawn criticism amid global tensions—resulting in pro-Palestinian protestors targeting the film. Meanwhile, Disney replaced the classic seven dwarfs with CGI “magical creatures,” following Peter Dinklage’s criticism of the original portrayal as outdated and offensive. What was meant to be progressive casting quickly turned into a series of PR headaches.
A Timeline of Trouble
The controversy didn’t come out of nowhere. 2022, Dinklage’s comments had forced Disney to rework its portrayal of the dwarfs, triggering months of creative and logistical changes. In 2023, Zegler went viral after calling the original prince a “stalker,” sparking outrage from conservative commentators and fans of the 1937 film. Her social media activism intensified in 2024 when, after Donald Trump’s re-election, she posted: “May Trump supporters never know peace”. Her words reignited calls for boycotts. As the premiere approached in March 2025, things took an even darker turn. Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame event on March 18 was met with protests, and Disney quietly scaled back the LA premiere, citing safety concerns amid online threats toward Zegler. The March 15 event at El Capitan was closed to press and media—an extremely rare move for a Disney tentpole.
The reaction has gone global. Chinese and Middle Eastern markets have been slow to pick up the film, and online chatter in the U.S. is dominated by culture war flashpoints. Fans on social media accuse Disney of being “too woke,” while others slam it for not going far enough in updating the story. Dwarfism advocates criticize the studio for erasing roles rather than reimagining them with nuance. Political commentators on both sides are using the film as a symbol of everything wrong with Hollywood—either for going “too PC” or for mishandling diversity entirely. With the LA premiere scaled down, protests surrounding Gadot, and social media in chaos, Disney is losing the narrative it tried so hard to control.
The $270 Million Question
Disney poured hundreds of millions into making and promoting Snow White. Between visual effects, reshoots, and international marketing, this was meant to be a box office giant in the vein of Aladdin or The Little Mermaid. But with just $87.3 million in global earnings by March 23—and estimates from Variety predicting losses up to $100 million—it’s now teetering on financial disaster. The film’s performance is a warning sign for future live-action remakes. Public fatigue, coupled with political pressure and weak word-of-mouth, may change how studios approach these adaptations moving forward.
In the wake of controversy, Disney has launched a subtle damage control campaign. They’ve rolled out media clips highlighting Zegler’s performances in Japan, where response has been more favorable. Gadot’s PR team has tried to keep the focus on her performance, avoiding the geopolitical landmines. Security has reportedly been increased around Zegler, and internal sources say a social media consultant has been hired to manage future blowups. But it might be too late to save this one.
Right now, the future of Snow White is uncertain. The film may still earn back its production costs overseas, or find new life through Disney+ and merchandise. But the damage to its legacy—and to Disney’s once-flawless live-action remake strategy—is clear. It’s a case study in how cultural sensitivity, social media, and global politics can collide, especially when layered onto one of the most iconic stories in cinema history.