Box Office Breakdown: Why ‘Snow White’ Faces a Potential Flop at the Theaters

The mood at Disney was far from cheerful as Snow White debuted this past weekend. The live-action remake of the classic 1937 film earned about $43 million in the U.S. Initially, it was projected to hit $100 million globally, but it fell short, bringing in only $87.3 million worldwide.

However, official figures later indicated that the domestic opening was lower than expected at $42.2 million, with a total global revenue of $86.1 million. With a hefty production cost of $270 million, plus around $100 million for marketing, Snow White finds itself in a perilous position. Many experts suggest the film may struggle to reach even $300 million to $400 million globally, which is far below the estimated $500 million needed to break even.

This scenario isn’t new for Disney. Just a few years ago, Dumbo earned $45 million on its opening weekend but ended its run at only $353 million after a similar large budget. Critics say Snow White is in danger of becoming a flop, especially since it earned a rare B+ CinemaScore from audiences, whereas most of Disney’s recent remakes have scored much higher.

Adding to the film’s troubles, lead actress Rachel Zegler faced backlash for her outspoken views, including criticizing political figures. Some social media users labeled the film "Snow Woke" and called for a boycott. However, a recent survey by EnTelligence suggests that this political noise might not have significantly impacted ticket sales. Surprisingly, 40% of ticket sales came from historically conservative areas.

Zegler’s strong opinions may have brought attention, but female viewers and younger audiences responded better, giving the film an A- CinemaScore. Ratings from parents and kids showed a four out of five stars, although only half of children said they’d recommend it to friends right away.

The production issues were numerous. Budget increases were linked to COVID-19 protocols, labor strikes, and even a fire on set, bumping initial costs up from around $200 million. Additionally, creative disputes within Disney led to further delays, as new leadership suggested modifications.

When compared to past Disney live-action films, the landscape has shifted dramatically. For example, Beauty and the Beast opened to a stunning $174.6 million in 2017, and movies like Cinderella and Maleficent also had strong debuts with much smaller budgets.

Industry experts, including Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian, stress the importance of long-term revenue sources: merchandise, music, and potential theme park attractions could play a crucial role in balancing the financial scales for Snow White. Ultimately, while the opening weekend didn’t meet expectations, there’s a possibility for revenue streams to evolve and contribute to the film’s success.

In these changing times, it remains to be seen how Snow White will perform moving forward, as audience tastes and state demographics continue to evolve. You can read more on the movie’s controversies and the impacts on box office performance here.

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