Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White had drawn a storm of controversy and mixed reviews. The reimagined film, which aims to bring the 1937 classic into the modern age, has received mostly negative feedback. Some film critics echoed sentiments of disappointment, while others found it captivating. These different reviews drive the audience to feel an absolute need to watch the movie and decide whether or not it is worth the hype.
In contrast, the original 1937 animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, was a groundbreaking success. It became the first full-length cel-animated feature film in history, and upon release, it was both a critical and commercial triumph. Over time, Snow White became a beloved classic and introduced audiences to the first-ever Disney Princess, setting the standard for future stars. The character’s name, “Snow White,” was derived from her famously pale skin, a key feature that helped define her iconic image alongside her bold rose-red lips.
Specifically, the new film emphasizes Snow White’s journey as she fights for her kingdom instead of being saved by a prince. Despite the 1937 film’s monumental success, the 2025 live-action remake has not performed as well. Although the remake topped the North American box office with $143.1 million, it has not generated the success Disney anticipated.
People in the media are mostly upset about the casting. Snow White’s character was played by Rachel Zegler, and though she has some impactful works, she has received harsh criticism for pushing diversity when playing a white character as a Latina. Another casting issue is Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen, which wavers between campy and scary but fails to land either.
The film also replaced the famous prince with a Robin Hood-like bandit, sparking backlash for removing Snow White’s traditional love story. Additionally, the movie uses CGI dwarfs to avoid stereotypes; thus, some actors with dwarfism felt excluded from potential roles. Visuals were also a major complaint, with many saying the film looked artificial and uninspiring.
Ultimately, critics and audiences argue that Disney modernized the wrong film. While producers try to advertise feminism in a cultured movie, others argue that this change forced a binary message–either women need saving or must be entirely independent–when the original story was simply about love and destiny. The result of this is a film that struggles to justify its own existence in a company full of globally successful live-action remakes.