A Controversial Premiere

"Snow White" didn’t walk into theaters quietly. It came dragging a mountain of controversy. Before anyone even saw the film, people were already arguing. There was backlash over the casting of Rachel Zegler as the lead, a Colombian-American actress playing a character once seen as the “fairest of them all.” Add in some online outrage over her comments on politics, plus criticism aimed at co-star Gal Gadot for her views, and suddenly, this movie was in the middle of a culture war.

Marca / There was a lot for the 2025 film to carry. But people showed up anyway. Whether out of curiosity or loyalty to the Disney brand, the crowds came - at least in North America.

And despite what critics said, audiences didn’t hate it. The critics gave it a weak 44% on Rotten Tomatoes, but the audience score hit 73%. That is a big gap and says a lot about who this movie was really for.

The Controversy Helped More Than It Hurt

Let’s be real: Controversy sells. The more people online dragged "Snow White," the more others wanted to see what the fuss was about. Social media lit up with clips, hot takes, and memes. Love it or hate it, it stayed in the conversation.

And let’s not forget Disney’s marketing machine. No matter what the critics said, Disney kept pushing "Snow White" hard. Posters, interviews, behind-the-scenes videos - it was everywhere. Even bad press can turn into free advertising. This time, it worked.

Disappointing Numbers in Asia

The numbers were not great across the board. In China, "Snow White" didn’t even crack the top five. It pulled in less than $1 million during its first three days. That is a huge market, and Disney missed it. Some say it is because of the political drama. Others point to the fading power of Hollywood blockbusters in Asia since the pandemic.

BBC / Not everyone trashed the film. A few critics found charm in the chaos. And many viewers didn’t seem to mind the flaws.

Either way, the message is clear: What works in North America doesn’t always play globally. For a movie that is this expensive, that is a big problem. And unless the film picks up steam in other regions, Disney may still be looking at a loss.

Snow White: A Critic's Review

So what is "Snow White" actually like? According to reviews, it's kind of a mess. Critics complained about weird CGI dwarfs, a confused tone, and a plot that didn’t know if it wanted to be dark or sweet. Some called it “not calamitous,” others said it was “a mind-boggling mash-up.”

For families and Disney fans, "Snow White" offered enough nostalgia and spectacle to make the ticket worth the price.

Disney knows how to build a franchise. That is been their playbook for years. Even when the movies stumble, they are part of a bigger brand. "Snow White" is not just a film. It is merchandise, theme park content, streaming bait, and future spin-offs. Even with weak reviews, this movie topping the box office keeps that machine running.