Disney’s recent attempt to revitalize the classic tale of Snow White with a modern twist has met with less than stellar reviews, earning a discouraging 42% on Rotten Tomatoes. This marks it as one of the lowest-rated adaptations in the company’s recent venture into live-action remakes and the worst-reviewed film of Rachel Zegler’s career. Critics and audiences alike have criticized the film for diverging too far from the beloved original, with its attempt at modernization missing the mark entirely.
A Critical Misfire: Where Did Snow White Go Wrong?
The new Snow White, directed by Marc Webb and featuring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, was intended to be a contemporary reimagining of the 1937 animated classic. However, rather than rekindling the magic of the original, it alienated both new viewers and long-time fans. Zegler’s Snow White strays from the gentle, optimistic princess we once knew, repositioned as an independent figure who seems out of place in her own story. This shift, while aimed at empowering viewers, neglects the core characteristics that have endeared Snow White to audiences for nearly a century.
Zegler herself sparked controversy by calling the original film “dated” and critiquing its portrayal of Snow White as a passive character waiting for love. This radical change in character depiction coupled with the film’s lecture-like tone has stripped away the charm and enchantment that defined the original.
The Controversial CGI Dwarfs: A Step Too Far in Redesign
One of the film’s most glaring issues is the replacement of the iconic seven dwarfs with CGI characters, a decision driven by a desire to avoid outdated stereotypes but criticized for its execution. This change has been widely regarded as a misstep, with the CGI dwarfs lacking the warmth and uniqueness of the original characters. Notably, actor Peter Dinklage criticized this decision, highlighting the inconsistency in Disney’s approach to modernizing the tale while retaining an outdated concept of the dwarfs.
The film’s use of CGI for these characters was intended to introduce a fresh, innovative element but instead rendered the dwarfs as awkward and unsettling, detracting significantly from the film’s overall appeal. Critics and fans alike have noted that the dwarfs now seem more akin to video game characters than integral parts of the narrative.
Lavish Budget, Lackluster Results
With a production budget reportedly between $240 and $270 million, expectations for Snow White were understandably high. Yet, the film failed to deliver the visual splendor and cinematic magic expected from such a substantial investment. The lavish budget appears to have been squandered on excessive CGI and failed modernization efforts rather than enhancing the essential elements of the story.
In contrast, films like 2017’s Beauty and the Beast, which operated on a smaller budget, managed to create a visually stunning experience that stayed true to its roots and pleased both critics and audiences.
A Tale of Missed Opportunities
The 2025 remake of Snow White serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of modernizing classic stories without a clear vision that respects the original material. The film’s poor reception is a testament to the importance of thoughtful storytelling and maintaining the intrinsic qualities that have made classic tales beloved over the years. Disney’s latest project received the Rotten Tomatoes score it deserved, reflecting a disjointed effort that may prompt the studio to reconsider its approach to future adaptations. Snow White’s tale of missed opportunities and misguided modernization continues to serve as a discussion point for what not to do in the realm of cinematic remakes.