Will Disney’s “Snow White” be the box office champion?
Disney is releasing its live-action version of the beloved 1937 animated film “Snow White.” In its opening weekend, the film is expected to earn between $45 million and $55 million across about 4,200 theaters in North America. Around the world, it could add another $50 million, pushing its total debut past the $100 million mark. This box office performance could lead the pack, especially considering last weekend’s low turnout, where Paramount’s “Novocaine” topped the charts with under $9 million.
However, early estimates suggest “Snow White” won’t reach the big openings of previous Disney remakes. For example, “The Little Mermaid” earned $95 million during its debut in 2023, while “Jungle Book” opened with $103 million. Moreover, major hits like “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” both crossed $90 million. Instead, “Snow White” resembles the modest start of 2019’s “Dumbo,” which opened at $45 million but ended up only grossing $353 million worldwide.
One reason for this cautious outlook is the film’s hefty production budget, exceeding $250 million. This amount doesn’t even include marketing costs. To truly succeed, “Snow White” will need strong legs at the box office. Disney hopes it can replicate the success of “Mufasa,” a prequel to “The Lion King.” Although it started with a modest $35 million, it managed to climb to $252 million domestically and over $700 million globally.
Rachel Zegler stars as Snow White, with Gal Gadot playing the Evil Queen. In this retelling, Snow White joins seven dwarfs to reclaim her kingdom from her wicked stepmother. Beyond “Snow White,” Disney has more live-action remakes in the pipeline, including “Lilo & Stitch,” which is set for release in May.
Despite strong brand recognition and a less competitive market, “Snow White” faces challenges. There has been controversy surrounding the film. Some critics have voiced concerns about the story changes, while others have called for boycotts due to the stars’ differing views on the Israel-Hamas conflict. To navigate this, Disney has reduced the film’s premiere events, avoiding situations where these topics could be raised.
Opening alongside “Snow White” is Robert De Niro’s crime drama “The Alto Knights.” Unfortunately, this film is likely to struggle more. Estimates suggest it could bring in just $2 million to $3 million from 2,800 theaters. Directed by Barry Levinson, known for films like “Rain Man,” “The Alto Knights” revolves around two notorious mafia bosses, showcasing their tumultuous power struggle.
If these projections hold, “Alto Knights” might join Warner Bros.’ list of theatrical disappointments. Their earlier release, “Mickey 17,” has so far earned $90 million globally while costing $118 million to produce. Warner Bros. has some potential blockbusters lined up in the coming months, including sequels to “Mortal Kombat,” “Final Destination,” and “The Conjuring.” However, they also have risky projects like Paul Thomas Anderson’s untitled film and other big-budget titles that could sway the studio’s fortunes.
As we look ahead, it will be interesting to see how audience response shapes the fates of these films and whether they can rise to the occasion amid the shifting dynamics of Hollywood.
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