Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler Snow White Disney+ success has marked a dramatic shift for Disney’s live-action remake, which struggled in theaters but soared to the top of global streaming charts within days of its online release. After a disappointing showing at the box office, the film rapidly climbed to number one on Disney+ in the US and led charts across a dozen countries, according to Flixpatrol.
The initial theatrical release saw Snow White falter, pulling in only $42 million domestically—a figure that starkly contrasted its hefty $269 million production cost. As numbers continued to fall, the film ended its box office run with a worldwide total of $205 million, leaving Disney facing significant financial losses and joining a series of recent underperforming, high-budget projects.
Box Office Performance Highlights Huge Financial Losses
The film’s earnings broke down to $87 million in the US and $118 million internationally, reaching $205 million globally. Despite being a highly anticipated release from Disney, the movie’s performance highlighted the risks associated with blockbuster remakes. Even with the involvement of Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler, the film struggled to draw large audiences to theaters, instead finding most of its viewership after reaching Disney+.
Controversies Surrounding Casting and Story Sparked Early Backlash
Snow White was mired in controversy before it even hit cinemas, with Rachel Zegler’s casting as the iconic character sparking widespread debate online. Many critics took issue with the film’s deviations from the original 1937 animated version. During the promotional tour, Zegler did little to silence detractors, calling the earlier film “dated” and questioning the Prince Charming storyline, which further alienated traditional fans.
Additional controversy arose when actor Peter Dinklage commented on the use of dwarfs in the story, pushing Disney to replace them with CGI creations.
“Literally no offense to anything, but I was sort of taken aback,”
—Peter Dinklage, Actor
“They were very proud to cast a Latino actress as Snow White, but you’re still telling the story of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.’ Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me.”
—Peter Dinklage, Actor
“You’re progressive in one way, but you’re still making that f***ing backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together. Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough,”
—Peter Dinklage, Actor
The backlash intensified on social media, with fans and actors taking opposing sides in the debate. Commentary from figures like Josh in the online fan community even suggested shared blame for Disney’s financial woes, referencing both Dinklage and Zegler’s involvement:
“No one wants to admit this, but Peter Dinklage is probably just as responsible as Rachel Zeigler for all the money Disney about to lose on Snow White… pic.twitter.com/KNZfpVCNf2”
—Josh (@JoshDenofNerds)
On-Set Tensions Further Complicated Production
Behind-the-scenes, reports emerged of an increasingly strained dynamic between the headline stars. According to Variety, Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot’s working relationship became tense in the months leading up to the premiere. After a joint appearance at the Oscars, Zegler reportedly remarked that Gadot was a “professional pageant queen,” a comment seen by some as dismissive. The tension only escalated when Zegler spoke publicly in favor of Palestine, contrasting with Gadot’s own background and drawing additional public scrutiny, especially after Gadot faced death threats—prompting Disney to arrange additional security measures.
Critical and Audience Responses Offer Mixed Signals
The film continued to struggle in the court of public opinion, facing particularly harsh reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes assigned it a low score of 39%, and IMDb users rated it even lower, with a dismal 1.8 out of 10. However, audiences on Rotten Tomatoes appeared more forgiving or perhaps curious, as reflected in a 71% audience score, suggesting the film was able to engage viewers outside of its core critics’ circle.
Impact of Streaming Success and the Road Ahead for Disney Remakes
The unexpected rebound of Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler Snow White Disney+ success may signal a shift in how underperforming theatrical releases can find new life through streaming. For Disney, the film’s turnaround on Disney+ could inform future decisions about production investments and release strategies, especially as audience viewing habits continue to evolve and controversies become more central to media reception. The controversies surrounding casting, story direction, and behind-the-scenes conflicts serve as stark reminders of the complex challenges major studios now face—not only in delivering nostalgic reboots, but also in navigating changing expectations from both critics and global audiences.
