Disney’s Snow White remake loses $168 million in box office flop

Disney’s 2025 Snow White remake flopped, losing $168 million despite earning $205 million worldwide

Disney’s 2025 live-action remake of Snow White has resulted in significant financial losses, according to recently released data from Forbes. 

The film earned $205.7 million during its theatrical run, but production and other costs led to a loss of approximately $167.8 million for the studio.

European financial disclosures indicate that Disney invested over $300 million in producing Snow White, with additional expenses from marketing and unforeseen incidents, such as a fire that destroyed the original set and required costly rebuilding. Factoring in the “50-50 split” with investors further reduced potential profits, contributing to the steep losses.

Industry analysts point to multiple factors behind the film’s underperformance. Controversy surrounding lead actress Rachel Zegler, whose political stances drew significant public attention before release, generated polarized responses. Additionally, creative decisions, including updates to the classic story’s seven dwarves, created further debate among fans and critics.

The loss does not include future revenue streams, such as Blu-ray, video-on-demand, and streaming sales, which may offset some of the deficit. Marketing costs, which are typically substantial for major Disney releases, were also not included in the reported loss.

Despite Disney’s reputation for successful live-action remakes of animated classics, Snow White struggled both critically and commercially. The combination of high production expenses, marketing challenges, and a polarizing lead contributed to the film’s disappointing financial performance.

The film serves as a cautionary example for major studios navigating remakes of beloved properties, highlighting the risks associated with large budgets, creative choices, and audience expectations. Disney’s next live-action adaptation projects will likely be closely watched for lessons learned from this box office shortfall.