Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler, has suffered yet another blow, failing to maintain its initial streaming success on Disney+ after a catastrophic theatrical run. Released on the platform on June 11, 2025, the film briefly surged to the top of global streaming charts, but its momentum has fizzled, dropping to No. 7 in the U.S. and fading from the top 10 in many international markets by August 27, 2025. The $270 million production, which grossed a mere $225 million worldwide at the box office, has become a symbol of Disney’s struggles with its live-action remake strategy. Zegler, the 23-year-old star at the center of the storm, has faced intense online ridicule and scrutiny, with critics and fans alike pointing to her controversial comments and the film’s creative missteps as reasons for its repeated failures.
A Promising Start on Streaming Fades Fast
When Snow White debuted on Disney+, it initially showed promise, climbing to No. 4 globally within 24 hours and reaching No. 1 in 48 countries, including the U.S., by June 13. The film’s early streaming success was a stark contrast to its dismal theatrical performance, where it earned just $43 million domestically in its opening weekend against a budget ballooning to an estimated $450 million with marketing costs. Industry observers speculated that the streaming platform would provide a second life for the film, allowing it to reach audiences who skipped theaters due to negative reviews or controversies surrounding Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot.
However, the initial buzz was short-lived. By mid-July, Snow White began sliding down the Disney+ charts, overtaken by older titles like Lilo & Stitch (2002) and The Incredibles (2004), as well as newer releases like Captain America: Brave New World. As of August 27, 2025, the film ranks No. 7 in the U.S., trailing behind Alien: Earth and Thunderbolts, and has dropped out of the top 10 in key markets like the UK, Germany, and Australia. Social media platforms, particularly X, have been flooded with posts mocking Zegler and Disney, with users calling the film’s streaming performance “a humiliating encore” to its box office flop. Hashtags like #SnowWhiteFlop and #ZeglerDownfall have trended, amplifying the narrative that the film is a failure across all platforms.
Zegler’s Controversies Fuel the Fire
Rachel Zegler, cast as Snow White in 2021, has been a polarizing figure since the film’s announcement. Her Latina heritage sparked debate among fans who argued that Snow White, traditionally described as having “skin as white as snow” in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, should not be portrayed by a non-white actress. Zegler responded defiantly on social media, stating, “Yes, I am Snow White, no, I am not bleaching my skin for the role,” and emphasized the character’s reimagining as a resilient leader named for surviving a snowstorm, not her complexion. While some praised her casting as a step toward inclusivity, others accused Disney of “woke” pandering, setting the stage for a divisive reception.
Zegler’s public comments further escalated tensions. In a 2022 interview, she called the 1937 animated Snow White “dated” and criticized the Prince’s role as a “stalker,” promising a more empowered take on the character. These remarks alienated fans of the original, who felt she was disrespecting a beloved classic. The backlash intensified in August 2024 when Zegler posted on X, thanking fans for the trailer’s 120 million views but adding, “and always remember, free Palestine.” The post, viewed 8.8 million times, drew criticism for mixing political activism with film promotion, particularly given co-star Gal Gadot’s pro-Israel stance. Reports surfaced that producer Marc Platt flew to New York to urge Zegler to remove the post, but she stood her ground, further polarizing audiences.
Zegler’s post-election comments in November 2024 added fuel to the fire. After Donald Trump’s re-election, she posted on Instagram, “F—k Donald Trump” and “May Trump supporters never know peace,” prompting accusations that she was alienating a significant portion of Disney’s audience. Although she later apologized, the damage was done, with conservative commentators and fans on X labeling her a “PR disaster.” Jonah Platt, the son of producer Marc Platt, publicly criticized Zegler in a now-deleted Instagram comment, accusing her of “narcissism” and claiming her actions “clearly hurt the film’s box office.” The online pile-on has continued, with posts mocking Zegler’s optimism about the film’s streaming potential, including one viral X post that read, “Rachel thought she’d save Disney, but Snow White is flopping harder than ever.”
Critical Reception and Creative Missteps
Snow White’s creative choices have also contributed to its downfall. Directed by Marc Webb, the film aimed to modernize the fairy tale by portraying Snow White as a proactive leader who rallies the Seven Dwarfs and a new character, Jonathan (played by Andrew Burnap), to overthrow the Evil Queen (Gadot). However, critics panned the execution, giving the film a 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 271 reviews. Reviewers described it as “visually uninspired” and criticized the CGI dwarfs as “awkward and unconvincing,” a compromise after earlier backlash over the decision to replace live-action dwarfs with “magical creatures.” The Observer called the film “toe-curlingly terrible,” while even positive reviews noted that Zegler’s “luminous” performance couldn’t salvage a disjointed narrative.
Audience reception has been equally harsh. The film holds a 1.8/10 rating on IMDb, widely attributed to review-bombing by detractors, though verified audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes are more forgiving at 71%. The disconnect between critics and some viewers suggests that while Zegler’s performance resonated with certain audiences, the film’s broader issues—ranging from pacing to tonal inconsistencies—failed to capture the magic of the 1937 original. Social media posts have highlighted empty theater screenings and declining streaming numbers, with one X user sharing a photo of a near-empty Snow White showing, captioned, “Welcome back to reality, princess.”
Disney’s Broader Struggles
The failure of Snow White on both the big screen and streaming platforms underscores Disney’s challenges with its live-action remake strategy. Once a reliable cash cow, films like Aladdin (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017) grossed over $1 billion globally, but recent efforts like Mufasa: The Lion King ($717 million against a $200 million budget) and The Little Mermaid ($569 million against $250 million) have underperformed. Snow White’s $115–200 million projected loss is among the studio’s worst, rivaling the 2019 Dumbo remake. The high production costs, exacerbated by a set fire, reshoots, and the 2023 actors’ strike, have drawn scrutiny, with analysts questioning Disney’s decision to greenlight such an expensive project amidst audience fatigue with remakes.
Disney’s handling of the Snow White rollout has also been criticized. The decision to scale back the March 15, 2025, premiere at the El Capitan Theatre, limiting press access and red-carpet interviews, was seen as an attempt to avoid questions about Zegler and Gadot’s political differences. The studio’s reluctance to address Zegler’s comments early on allowed the narrative to spiral, with some insiders arguing that Disney failed to balance free speech with the need to protect its brand. The company’s broader struggles, including a 15% drop in theme park attendance and a loss of 3 million Disney+ subscribers, have compounded the crisis, with CEO Bob Iger facing pressure to reassess Disney’s direction.
Zegler’s Career and Public Perception
For Zegler, the Snow White fallout has been a personal and professional setback. Once hailed as a rising star, her reputation has taken a hit, with detractors on X and TikTok branding her “box office poison.” Viral videos have mocked her earlier claim that “people will wait in line” to see her films, with one post stating, “Rachel Zegler’s Snow White is the gift that keeps on flopping.” Despite the backlash, Zegler has maintained a positive public persona, sharing on Instagram that therapy and medication have helped her cope with online hate. Her supporters, including actresses like Melissa Barrera and podcast hosts Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver, have praised her for standing by her beliefs, arguing that she’s been unfairly scapegoated for Disney’s creative and financial missteps.
Zegler’s career is far from over. She has already lined up her next project, a comedy-drama titled She Gets It From Me opposite Marisa Tomei, set to begin filming in 2026. Her role in the West End revival of Evita this summer has also garnered attention, though ticket sales have been lukewarm. Fans on X have expressed optimism about her future, with one post reading, “Rachel Zegler is 23 and already a Golden Globe winner. This flop won’t define her.” However, others remain skeptical, with comments like “She’s failing upwards” reflecting the polarized views surrounding her.
What’s Next for Disney?
The repeated failure of Snow White has sparked a reckoning at Disney. The studio’s upcoming live-action remakes, including Lilo & Stitch and Moana (2026), face heightened scrutiny, with analysts suggesting that Disney pivot toward original content or lower-budget projects to mitigate risks. The success of Freakier Friday ($180 million globally) indicates that audiences still crave family-friendly stories, but the appetite for reimagined classics appears to be waning. Disney’s decision to resume advertising on X, despite its controversial ownership, suggests an attempt to reconnect with conservative audiences, but the move has drawn criticism from progressive fans.
As Snow White fades from streaming charts, Disney must confront the reality that its once-infallible brand is at a crossroads. For Rachel Zegler, the humiliation of the film’s flop is tempered by her resilience and upcoming opportunities. But for Disney, the challenge is existential: can the House of Mouse regain its magic, or will Snow White’s failure mark the beginning of a darker chapter? As the streaming numbers dwindle and the online mockery continues, the fairy tale of Snow White has become a cautionary tale for a studio struggling to find its happily ever after.
