Walt Disney’s latest venture didn’t exactly launch with the fanfare executives had hoped for, but that doesn’t mean the story’s over just yet. Snow White’s somewhat unremarkable theatrical opening captured $43 million domestically and $87 million globally. While industry analysts had hoped for at least $100 million worldwide, those projections had already been dialed back in recent months.
Despite Snow White’s lukewarm reception, Disney’s stocks didn’t falter. On the Monday following the film’s release, shares actually nudged higher, breaking $100 for just the second occasion in the past two weeks. It might’ve been a favorable trend day on Wall Street, but the media giant’s stock uprising amid a potential flop indicates that investors are setting their sights further afield than just this movie. Overall, this year still holds promise for Disney’s film division, even though there’s the occasional misstep along the way.
Looking Forward to Brighter Days
Creating Snow White was a hefty investment, with production costs alone reaching $250 million, not even counting marketing and distribution. The financial outcome doesn’t seem too rosy on paper, but there’s still a potential silver lining. Look at what happened with Mufasa: The Lion King—it also faced a sluggish start three months ago but ended up pulling in an impressive $719 million globally by the close of its cinematic journey. Though, those kinds of comebacks are rare when a prominent franchise trips out of the gate.
Sadly, Snow White has found itself at the center of some controversy. Remakes often stir unrest, especially when they stray from the original storylines, and some changes, including the diversity casting, sparked debates among purists. Yet, dubious claims about casting didn’t seem to hurt back in 2023 when The Little Mermaid graced the screens, opening with more than twice the strength of Snow White and wrapping up its theater run with nearly $570 million worldwide.
The leading actresses did face renewed scrutiny over some past polarizing remarks resurfacing on social media. However, that criticism might not be warranted. Audiences who have seen Snow White seem to like it, with a commendable 74% recommendation rate on Rotten Tomatoes. CinemaScore users, who are polled right after viewing, rated it a solid B+—a much more credible measure than unchecked online criticism.
Showbiz Ups and Downs
Last year, Disney was the king of the silver screen, boasting the three top-grossing films globally. This year, however, the shine has dulled a bit. February’s Captain America: Brave New World has managed to pull in $192 million domestically, holding its spot as the year’s top draw in 2025 four weeks after its release. Yet, that’s a far cry from the kind of performance its predecessor, Captain America: Civil War, achieved nine years ago.
Movie theaters are experiencing a sluggish period. Domestic box-office sales are down 6% from this time last year, and 15% off from 2023’s pace. Even with slightly increased ticket prices, revenues still lag over 25% below pre-pandemic figures. In such a soft market, Snow White’s lukewarm debut ranks second this year to Captain America, an indication of wider industry challenges.
Despite the current climate, hope is on the horizon. Upcoming releases like a Minecraft Movie next month and Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning the month after are poised for big box-office numbers. Further out, next year’s cinematic lineup boasts potential blockbusters from popular franchises like Jurassic World, Superman, and Wicked. Disney itself is gearing up for more hits, including May’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, which hasn’t drawn the same controversy as Snow White, plus a couple of Marvel outings, a fresh Pixar film, and other promising releases like Zootopia, Tron, and Freaky Friday. Yet, it’s quite possible that Avatar: Fire and Ash will eclipse them all when it debuts in December, following the monumental success of the franchise’s previous films.
Snow White may still find its rhythm over time or not, but Disney’s slate of upcoming attractions promises there are plenty more opportunities to bring audiences back to the theater for an enchanting experience.
