Introduction

Disney’s live-action Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, was poised to be a cornerstone of the studio’s ongoing remake strategy, with Rachel Zegler stepping into the iconic role of the first Disney princess. However, the $270 million film has become one of Disney’s most high-profile disappointments, grossing just $43 million domestically and $87 million globally in its opening weekend. In stark contrast, Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, released on April 25, 2025, has emerged as a box office juggernaut, with projections estimating a $100 million opening weekend and widespread fan enthusiasm fueled by its nostalgic appeal and vibrant CGI. Reports suggest Zegler is “shaken” by Snow White’s underperformance, particularly as Lilo & Stitch steals the spotlight. This article explores the reasons behind Snow White’s failure, Lilo & Stitch’s success, and the impact on Zegler, drawing from web sources and sentiment on X to unpack this cinematic showdown.

The Snow White Debacle: A Perfect Storm of Controversy

Snow White’s troubles began long before its theatrical release, rooted in a series of controversies that alienated audiences and overshadowed its promotional campaign. Zegler, a 23-year-old actress of Colombian and Polish descent, faced racist backlash when her casting was announced in June 2021. Critics argued that a Latina actress was inappropriate for a character described as having “skin as white as snow,” ignoring the fairy tale’s broader cultural adaptability. Zegler addressed this in a 2024 Variety interview, stating, “I was given a chance because I could sing,” emphasizing her talent over her appearance. Despite her diplomatic response, the racist vitriol persisted, setting a contentious tone for the film’s reception.

Zegler’s comments about the 1937 animated original further inflamed tensions. At Disney’s D23 Expo in 2022, she described the classic as “dated” and criticized its love story, noting that the prince “literally stalks” Snow White. She highlighted the remake’s focus on Snow White’s leadership and self-discovery, replacing the iconic “Someday My Prince Will Come” with a new song, “Waiting on a Wish.” These remarks, widely circulated on TikTok, were perceived as dismissive of Disney’s legacy, with X users like @LoneWolf907 on May 1, 2025, claiming they made the film “beyond saving.”

Her political activism added fuel to the fire. In August 2024, Zegler posted on X, “I love you all so much! thank you for the love and for 120m views on our trailer in just 24 hours!” followed by, “and always remember, free Palestine.” The latter, which garnered 8.8 million views, sparked backlash, reportedly leading to death threats against co-star Gal Gadot, an Israeli actress and vocal supporter of Israel. Disney producer Marc Platt flew to New York to address the post, but Zegler refused to delete it, prompting the studio to hire a social media strategist. Her post-election comments in November 2024, including “F*** Donald Trump” and “May Trump supporters never know peace,” further alienated conservative audiences, despite a subsequent apology. These missteps, combined with creative changes like replacing the seven dwarfs with CGI “magical creatures” following criticism from Peter Dinklage, contributed to a review-bombing campaign and a 42% Rotten Tomatoes score.

The film’s box office performance reflected this backlash. With a reported budget of $350 million including marketing, Snow White’s $87 million global opening was dwarfed by predecessors like The Little Mermaid ($95 million) and The Lion King ($191 million). Forbes noted that the film’s soundtrack also failed to chart in Billboard’s top ten, peaking at #11 on US Kid Albums, further limiting its financial recovery. Disney is projected to lose $115 million, a stark contrast to the studio’s earlier remake successes.

Lilo & Stitch: A Nostalgic Triumph

While Snow White struggled, Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch captured audiences’ hearts, driven by nostalgia and strategic execution. Based on the 2002 animated classic, the film follows the story of Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl, and Stitch, a mischievous alien, blending humor, heart, and cultural authenticity. The Super Bowl trailer, released in February 2025, showcased vibrant CGI for Stitch and a faithful adaptation of the original’s Pacific Islander setting, earning widespread praise. Early box office projections estimated a $100 million opening weekend, with X posts like @hzjoe03 on April 15, 2025, noting, “Can’t believe a live action remake of a movie from 1938 is gonna make less money than the remake of a 2002 movie, which still has so much merch in Disney stores and parks around the world you’d assume Stitch was their mascot.”

Several factors contributed to Lilo & Stitch’s success. Unlike Snow White, the film leaned heavily into millennial nostalgia, as the original is a staple for parents who now share it with their children. A Reddit user on r/entertainment noted, “Lilo and Stitch is probably going to do well even if the reviews are terrible because a lot of millennials have fond memories of the original.” The film’s casting, including Sydney Elizabeth Agudong as Nani, faced some criticism for not fully reflecting Pacific Islander features, but it avoided the scale of backlash Zegler endured, partly due to the original’s more recent cultural context. The CGI for Stitch was also a hit, with fans on X praising its “adorable” design, contrasting with Snow White’s criticized “magical creatures.”

Disney’s promotional strategy for Lilo & Stitch was also more cohesive. Unlike Snow White’s scaled-down premieres and press restrictions, Lilo & Stitch benefited from high-profile marketing, including its Super Bowl trailer and widespread merchandise presence. A Reddit post on r/blankies highlighted Stitch as Disney’s “largest merchandise-moving character,” underscoring his commercial dominance. The film’s fidelity to the original plot, with minor additions like Stitch’s girlfriend from the sequels, reassured fans wary of drastic changes, a lesson Snow White failed to heed.

Zegler’s Reaction: Shaken but Resilient

Reports suggest Zegler is “shaken” by Snow White’s failure, particularly as Lilo & Stitch’s success highlights Disney’s ability to deliver a well-received remake. A YouTube video titled “Rachel Zegler Left SHAKEN as Lilo & Stitch OUTPERFORMS Snow White,” posted on May 4, 2025, claimed Zegler was rattled by the contrast, noting that a younger actress, presumably Agudong, succeeded where she did not. Zegler’s somber appearance in New York City, captured by the Daily Mail on April 10, 2025, showed her walking her dog in casual attire, with the outlet describing her as “deflated” by the film’s performance. A viral moment where Zegler watched Snow White in a near-empty theater with friends, shared on Instagram Stories, underscored the film’s lack of audience turnout, with critics jokingly calling for a GoFundMe to offset its losses.

Despite the setback, Zegler has shown resilience. She trended on X after the film’s flop, with supporters like film critic David Ehrlich posting, “Rachel Zegler RULES and so obviously has a lifetime of incredible roles & performances ahead of her.” Her fans praised her performance, with critics like those cited on People.com calling her a “shining supernova” and “pure Disney magic.” Zegler also engaged positively with young fans at the Los Angeles premiere on March 15, 2025, bonding with girls dressed as Snow White, a moment shared by Walt Disney Studios on X. However, Disney’s reported blame-shifting, detailed in a Variety article on March 26, 2025, painted Zegler as “irresponsible” and “erratic,” suggesting the studio used her as a scapegoat for the film’s failure.

The Broader Implications: Disney’s Remake Strategy in Question

The stark contrast between Snow White and Lilo & Stitch has sparked debate about Disney’s live-action remake strategy. Snow White’s failure, coupled with diminishing returns on films like Mufasa: The Lion King ($700 million globally but less than its predecessor), suggests audience fatigue with remakes that stray too far from their source material. The Daily Mail noted that Disney’s 15-year remake push, starting with Alice in Wonderland, has seen recent entries like Pinocchio relegated to streaming, while Tangled’s remake was shelved post-Snow White. Conversely, Lilo & Stitch’s success may greenlight more remakes, with Reddit users on r/blankies speculating about The Emperor’s New Groove or Zootopia 2.

Zegler’s experience also highlights the challenges faced by young actresses of color in Hollywood. Like Halle Bailey with The Little Mermaid, Zegler endured racist and sexist backlash, exacerbated by Disney’s lack of public support. A Reddit post on r/popculturechat criticized Disney for “setting these women up for bullying” without defending them, a sentiment echoed by fans on X. Zegler’s outspokenness, while polarizing, has also earned her allies, with actress Brandy praising her as “absolutely incredible” for representing Colombian culture.

Conclusion

Rachel Zegler’s reported distress over Snow White’s box office failure, juxtaposed with Lilo & Stitch’s triumph, underscores the volatile landscape of Disney’s live-action remakes. Snow White’s controversies—from racist casting backlash to Zegler’s polarizing comments and political posts—created a perfect storm that sank its commercial prospects. Meanwhile, Lilo & Stitch capitalized on nostalgia, effective CGI, and a cohesive campaign to dominate the box office. While Zegler remains a polarizing figure, her talent and resilience suggest a bright future, even as Disney grapples with the lessons of this tale. As Lilo & Stitch soars, it may pave the way for more remakes, but Snow White’s fall serves as a cautionary reminder: stray too far from the heart of a classic, and even a princess can’t charm her way to success.