It’s been over a week since Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White” hit the theaters, and the magic it hoped to cast has yet to materialize. As the film stumbles past the $100 million mark, the question looms: How much does Disney’s ‘Snow White’ need to gross to break even?
Turbulence Behind the Scenes
The journey to bring the new “Snow White” to life has been fraught with challenges. Originally delayed by the pandemic, the production faced further setbacks as its star, Rachel Zegler, criticized the outdated portrayals in the original 1937 film. Her comments sparked a wave of controversy, particularly when she likened Prince Charming to a “stalker” and called the film “extremely dated” in its views on women’s roles. This sentiment was echoed by David Hand, whose father contributed to the original, claiming that the new interpretation strayed too far from what was “made with good taste.”
Adding fuel to the fire, the debut of the computer-generated dwarf companions in the film’s trailer met with harsh criticism, resulting in a record number of dislikes on YouTube. The controversy didn’t end there. Zegler’s political comments on social media, including a call to “free Palestine” and her outspoken criticism of MAGA supporters, led to a significant backlash, complicating the promotional efforts for the film.
Box Office Blues
Despite the massive anticipation, “Snow White” opened to a disappointing $87.3 million, falling short of expectations by 13%. As Jonah Platt, son of the film’s producer Marc Platt, expressed in a now-deleted Instagram post, the drama surrounding the film’s promotion had tangible consequences, stressing that “free speech does not mean you’re allowed to say whatever you want in your private employment without repercussions.”
In its second weekend, the film’s earnings plummeted by 68%, garnering just $13.7 million and coming in second to Jason Statham’s “A Working Man.” This sharp decline has sparked intense speculation about whether Disney can recoup its investment on the film.
The Cost of Magic
The financial stakes for Disney are high, with production costs reportedly reaching around $300 million after adjustments for reshoots and post-production. According to filings by Hidden Heart Productions, the Disney subsidiary behind the film, the U.K. government’s fiscal incentives have offset some expenses, reducing the net spending to approximately $213.9 million. However, this figure doesn’t account for marketing expenses or potential revenue from merchandise.
To break even at the box office alone, “Snow White” would need to gross at least $427.8 million, considering the typical 50-50 split of box office receipts between theaters and studios. With global takings currently just over $100 million, achieving a profitable outcome seems increasingly like a fairytale.
A Silver Lining?
Despite the setbacks, Disney continues to forge ahead with its lineup of live-action remakes. The studio recently unveiled a trailer for the upcoming “Lilo & Stitch,” which has been received more warmly by audiences. If “Lilo & Stitch” performs well, it could offset some of the losses from “Snow White.”
The saga of Disney’s “Snow White” remake is a cautionary tale of the challenges that come with modernizing classic tales for contemporary audiences. As the film industry continues to evolve, Disney’s strategies will likely adapt, hopefully leading to more enchanted outcomes in the future. Meanwhile, the world watches to see if this beloved fairytale can still find its “happily ever after” at the box office.