Monday, June 23, 2025

Snow White Releases Amid Controversy—Will the Drama Help or Hurt?

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Disney’s Snow White finally lands in theaters this Friday, but the road to release has been anything but smooth.

What started as a fresh take on the 1937 animated classic has turned into one of Disney’s most controversial projects, caught in the crossfire of cultural and political debates. From casting backlash to geopolitical tensions, the $270 million live-action remake has been making headlines for reasons far beyond the film itself—raising questions about whether the drama will help or hurt its box office run.

The project has been in development since 2016, following the success of Disney’s other live-action reboots like Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and The Jungle Book.

Snow White Releases Amid Controversy—Will the Drama Help or Hurt?

Directed by The Amazing Spider-Man‘s Marc Webb, this version of Snow White was designed to bring a modern twist to the classic fairy tale. But instead of just a fresh storyline, it’s found itself at the center of hot-button issues, from race and politics to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The backlash started with Disney’s casting choice for Snow White, Colombian-American actress Rachel Zegler, which sparked online debates, with some critics calling the film “Snow Woke.” Zegler herself fueled controversy with past social media posts, including a post-election Instagram story where she wrote, “May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace,” later apologizing for the comment.

Snow White Releases Amid Controversy—Will the Drama Help or Hurt?

Meanwhile, Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, also found herself at the center of political tensions. Her vocal support for Israel following the October 7 attacks led to calls for a boycott, with pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters clashing during her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. Zegler, on the other hand, has been open about her pro-Palestinian stance, creating further division among audiences.

Snow White Releases Amid Controversy—Will the Drama Help or Hurt?

Amid the growing controversy, Disney played it safe at the film’s Los Angeles premiere, restricting interviews and moving the red carpet event from Hollywood Boulevard to a more private venue behind the El Capitan Theatre. Despite the off-screen drama, early reactions to the film have been positive, with audiences cheering during musical numbers and critics praising Zegler’s performance.

Industry experts say Snow White’s success will ultimately depend on whether audiences care more about the drama or the movie itself. Stephen Galloway, dean of Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, believes that social media controversies won’t make or break the film—what matters is whether it delivers. “The darkness of the web, even when it’s not the dark web, doesn’t kill a movie,” he said.

Box office predictions remain mixed. Shawn Robbins, founder of Box Office Theory, expects the film to open between $30-$40 million domestically, while other estimates place it between $45-$55 million in North America and another $55 million globally. With few family-friendly movies hitting theaters before summer, some analysts believe Snow White could still pull in strong numbers despite the controversy.

Whether the buzz translates to ticket sales or a box office flop, one thing is clear—this Snow White isn’t just a remake; it’s a reflection of the heated debates shaping pop culture today.

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