Disney's live-action retelling of "Snow White," a lavish and ambitious adaptation of the classic fairytale, debuted to a lukewarm $43 million at the domestic box office this weekend. This opening was overshadowed by a series of controversies that plagued the film's lead-up to release. With an eye-watering budget of approximately $270 million, industry insiders had high hopes, predicting an opening weekend haul of between $48 million and $58 million. However, despite falling short of these expectations, "Snow White" managed to outperform Focus Features' "Black Bag" ($4.4 million) and Disney's own "Captain America: Brave New World" ($4.1 million). Industry analysts remain cautiously optimistic, suggesting that the film could experience steady growth in the coming weeks. "It's a Disney film. It settles in; there's not going to be a lot of family competition," remarked David A. Gross, founder of movie consultancy FranchiseRe. "This weekend is the locomotive that pulls the train."

While "Snow White" managed to top the box office this weekend, its performance pales in comparison to Disney's "Cinderella," released about a decade ago on March 13, 2015. The controversy-free "Cinderella" grossed an impressive $91.8 million in its opening weekend against a $138.3 million budget, both figures adjusted for inflation. The varying levels of success within the Disney princess genre can be attributed to shifting box office interests and the over-saturation of remakes, according to Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian. "There may be a bit of fatigue on these live-action remakes of classic animated films," he noted.

The challenges facing "Snow White" extend beyond box office numbers and into the realm of public perception. The film found itself embroiled in a series of controversies that distracted from its core appeal. The musical and children's movie somehow became a focal point of a culture war, particularly over the casting of Rachel Zegler as Snow White. Zegler, an American actor of Colombian descent, faced backlash from some quarters, sparking debates about representation and cultural appropriation. Additionally, the casting of Gal Gadot as the "Evil Queen" drew criticism due to Gadot's mandatory service in the Israeli army, which became entangled in the broader geopolitical context of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The reimagining of the Seven Dwarfs as magical creatures also drew ire, with "Game of Thrones" actor Peter Dinklage publicly criticizing the decision.

These controversies likely contributed to the film's underwhelming box office performance. According to Gross, the casting of Zegler may have hurt "Snow White" by causing a distraction. He suggested that some audiences prefer new and original stories featuring diverse characters rather than remakes that alter well-known characters. However, Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder and owner of Box Office Theory, argued that the controversies likely did not reach the film's core audiences: families and young girls. "The casual movie-going crowd sees a preview for a trailer or they hear about a movie, and they decide whether they want to go see it based on how they feel about it," he explained.

The box office landscape has been experiencing fluctuations in recent weeks. Moviegoers have been frequenting theaters less over the last three weeks, resulting in a nearly 7% year-over-year decline, according to Comscore data. This marks a shift from the stronger start to the year, when the box office was up 22% from 2024. Robbins attributed this decline to the relative lack of blockbuster appeal in the movies released in late February and March 2025, compared to the successes of March 2024's "Dune: Part Two" and "Kung Fu Panda 4." "It's part of the ebb and flow of the box office," he said. "I definitely see that flipping back into 2025's favor sooner rather than later."

The box office landscape is inherently unpredictable, with fortunes shifting rapidly. As the release of summer blockbusters approaches, analysts expect significant changes. Dergarabedian anticipates that earnings will look very different in just a few weeks, particularly with the April 4 release of Warner Bros. Pictures' "A Minecraft Movie." "Minecraft" is expected to attract families and children, tapping into the reliable appeal of the genre that has historically boosted box office numbers. "This is the story of the box office—it's always the ups and downs, the peaks and valleys," Dergarabedian remarked.

Disney's "Snow White" finds itself at a crossroads, facing the challenges of a crowded and competitive box office landscape. While its opening weekend numbers were disappointing, the film's potential for growth remains. The controversies surrounding its release have undoubtedly played a role in shaping public perception, but the core appeal of a Disney princess story to families and young audiences should not be underestimated. As the box office continues to fluctuate and summer blockbusters loom on the horizon, the future of "Snow White" remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the enduring power of Disney's brand and the timeless allure of its fairytales will continue to captivate audiences, even in an era of shifting tastes and heightened scrutiny.