Stranger Things – Season 1, Episode 4

Snow White (2025) – Disney's Controversial Live-Action Remake Finally Arrives

Release Date: March 21, 2025
Genre: Musical Fantasy
Directed by: Marc Webb
Language: English
Running Time: 109 minutes
Budget: $240-270 million

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Introduction

After years of anticipation, delays, and unprecedented controversy, Disney's Snow White (2025) has finally graced the silver screen. This live-action reimagining of Walt Disney's beloved 1937 animated classic brings together Rachel Zegler as the titular princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen in what has become one of Disney's most talked-about and expensive productions ever. Directed by Marc Webb and featuring music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, this film attempts to modernize the timeless fairy tale while honoring its magical legacy.

A Reimagined Story for Modern Times

This isn't your grandmother's Snow White. The 2025 adaptation takes significant liberties with the original story, transforming the passive princess into a determined leader fighting to reclaim her kingdom from tyrannical rule. Snow White is no longer content to simply wait for rescue – she becomes the architect of her own destiny.

The story begins with Snow White's parents naming her to honor surviving a fierce snowstorm on the night of her birth. Years later, after her father disappears during a military campaign, her stepmother reveals herself as a power-hungry enchantress who usurps the throne. Under the Evil Queen's oppressive rule, Snow White is relegated to working as a scullery maid while the kingdom suffers under tyranny.

The classic elements remain – the Magic Mirror, the poisoned apple, and the cottage in the woods – but they're woven into a narrative that emphasizes empowerment, leadership, and social justice. Instead of Prince Charming, we meet Jonathan, a bandit leader whose relationship with Snow White evolves from skepticism to genuine partnership in the fight against oppression.

Star-Studded Cast Brings Magic to Life

• Rachel Zegler as Snow White – The rising star delivers a powerhouse performance as the fearless princess
• Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen – Brings sinister charm and vocal prowess to Disney's first villain
• Andrew Burnap as Jonathan – The new love interest who replaces the traditional Prince Charming
• Patrick Page as the voice of the Magic Mirror – Broadway veteran lends his distinctive voice
• Ansu Kabia as the Huntsman – The conflicted servant who ultimately helps Snow White

The Seven Dwarfs are brought to life through cutting-edge CGI and motion capture technology, with talented voice actors including Jeremy Swift (Doc), Martin Klebba (Grumpy), George Salazar (Happy), Tituss Burgess (Bashful), and Andrew Barth Feldman (Dopey). Notably, the characters are never actually called "dwarfs" in the film, reflecting Disney's sensitivity to modern representation concerns.

Musical Magic and New Songs

The film features a blend of beloved classics and fresh compositions. Traditional favorites like "Heigh-Ho" and "Whistle While You Work" return, while new songs reflect the updated narrative. The standout new track "Waiting on a Wish" replaces "Someday My Prince Will Come," focusing on Snow White's aspirations for leadership rather than romantic rescue.

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the Oscar-winning duo behind La La Land and The Greatest Showman, crafted new songs including "All Is Fair" (the Evil Queen's villain song) and "A Hand Meets a Hand" (a love duet). Jeff Morrow composed the film's sweeping orchestral score, with Christophe Beck serving as score consultant.

Behind the Scenes: A Troubled But Ambitious Production

The journey to bring Snow White to life was anything but smooth. Originally planned to start filming in March 2020, the production faced COVID-19 delays before eventually shooting in the UK from March to July 2022. A fire at Pinewood Studios briefly disrupted filming, and additional reshoots took place in June 2024 as Disney sought to perfect their vision.

Director Marc Webb worked with screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson to modernize the story, though multiple writers contributed to the development process. The film's massive budget of $240-270 million, combined with $70 million in marketing costs, makes it one of Disney's most expensive productions ever.

Ratings & Critical Reception

IMDb: ⭐ 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 🍅 38% (Critics Score) | 🍿 67% (Audience Score)
Metacritic: 🟡 50/100
CinemaScore: B+

What Critics Are Saying

Critical reception has been decidedly mixed, with praise centering on Rachel Zegler's luminous performance while concerns focus on the film's stylistic choices and pacing. Variety called Zegler a "shining supernova," while IGN declared it "the best Disney live-action remake in a decade."

However, not all reviews were glowing. The Guardian criticized it as "exhaustingly awful" with "tiresome pseudo-progressive additions," while The New York Post called it another "pointless and awkward live-action automaton." Many critics acknowledged that while the film has its flaws, Zegler's charismatic performance and the production values make it watchable.

Box Office Performance and Controversies

Despite its massive budget, Snow White underperformed at the box office, earning $205.7 million worldwide against production and marketing costs exceeding $350 million. The film opened to $42.2 million domestically, falling short of projections and earning the unfortunate label of "box office bomb."

The film became embroiled in multiple controversies before release. Rachel Zegler faced backlash for her comments about modernizing the character and criticism of the original film. Additionally, boycott calls emerged from both sides of the political spectrum – some opposing Gal Gadot's pro-Israel stance, others targeting Zegler's political views. The film was ultimately banned in Lebanon and pulled from theaters in Kuwait.

Streaming Success Story

While the theatrical release disappointed, Snow White found new life on home media and streaming platforms. The film became the most-streamed movie on Disney+ following its June 2025 release, with a 405% spike in viewership during its first five days on the platform. This streaming success suggests audiences were more willing to give the film a chance in the comfort of their homes.

Visual Spectacle and Technical Achievement

Whatever criticisms the film faces story-wise, Snow White delivers visually stunning sequences. The production design recreates the fairy tale world with lavish detail, from the Evil Queen's ornate castle to the enchanted forest cottage. The CGI Seven Dwarfs, while controversial in concept, represent cutting-edge motion capture technology.

The film's musical numbers are expertly choreographed by Mandy Walker, with "Whistle While You Work" being a particular highlight that showcases both practical and digital magic working in harmony.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Regardless of its commercial performance, Snow White (2025) has sparked important conversations about representation, modernization of classic stories, and the challenges of reimagining beloved properties for contemporary audiences. The casting of Latina actress Rachel Zegler as Snow White broke new ground for Disney, while the film's emphasis on leadership over romance reflects changing cultural values.

The controversy surrounding the film also highlighted the intense scrutiny modern blockbusters face, particularly when dealing with politically charged topics or beloved source material. The film's underperformance led Disney to indefinitely suspend production on their planned live-action Tangled remake.

Conclusion

Disney's Snow White (2025) is a fascinating and flawed attempt to modernize a timeless story. While it succeeds in delivering stunning visuals and a star-making performance from Rachel Zegler, it struggles under the weight of controversy, high expectations, and an enormous budget. The film's mixed reception reflects the broader challenge of updating classic stories for modern audiences while respecting their original magic.

Whether you see it as a progressive reimagining or a misguided departure from the source material, Snow White (2025) is undeniably one of the year's most significant releases. Its streaming success suggests that despite theatrical disappointments, there's still an audience hungry for Disney magic – even when it comes wrapped in controversy.

Stream Snow White now on Disney+ or rent it digitally – and decide for yourself whether this remake is the fairest of them all!

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