Disney’s Snow White Flops Harder Than Joker 2 to Become 2025’s Biggest Box Office Bust
The live-action remake couldn’t outpace controversy—or expectations—as it eclipses Joker: Folie à Deux in losses.
A Fairytale Fall from Grace
Disney’s live-action Snow White remake has officially taken the crown for 2025’s most costly theatrical misfire, surpassing the troubled Joker: Folie à Deux in box office losses. According to MSN, the film ended its global run with $310 million, far below the estimated $673 million break-even point confirmed by ScreenRant. That’s a shortfall of $363 million, making it one of the most expensive losses in Disney’s live-action remake history.
By contrast, Joker 2—the sequel to 2019’s billion-dollar phenomenon—had a $200 million budget and earned $201.2 million globally, per ScreenRant. Though also a flop, its $198.8 million loss is significantly lower than Snow White’s, and expectations were arguably less sky-high.
Box Office Expectations Crumble
When Snow White was first announced, Disney appeared poised for another live-action hit. In early 2025, ScreenRant projected a $55–60 million domestic opening, eyeing comparisons to the $174 million debut of Beauty and the Beast in 2017. But by March, MSN reported estimates had tumbled to $35–40 million amid swirling online backlash.
The final tally? A disappointing $32 million opening in the U.S., with worldwide earnings stalling at $310 million—a figure that trails even the critically mixed Dumbo remake from 2019, which made $353 million. That gives Snow White the dubious honor of being Disney’s lowest-grossing live-action remake since Dumbo.
A Storm of Controversy
Much of Snow White’s trouble was self-inflicted. As outlined in The New York Times, lead actress Rachel Zegler faced criticism from the outset over her casting, as some fans questioned whether the character’s description—“skin white as snow”—was being honored.
The decision to reimagine the seven dwarfs as “magical creatures” also generated backlash, with critics accusing Disney of erasing iconic characters rather than thoughtfully updating them, per ScreenRant.
Zegler’s public comments only added fuel. In press interviews, she called the 1937 original “outdated” and said the prince came off like “a stalker,” per MSN. Her wig—meant to evoke the cartoon’s signature bob—was widely mocked online, with The New York Times describing it as “atrocious.”
In contrast, other Disney remakes like Mufasa: The Lion King managed to weather fan skepticism. That 2024 release ultimately rebounded to a $600 million global gross, a benchmark Snow White couldn’t even approach.
Joker 2 Fails Quietly
Joker: Folie à Deux may have flopped, but its damage was muted. The film earned $201.2 million globally (with $57.8 million domestic and $143.4 million international), far below its $400 million break-even point, per ScreenRant.
Reception was mixed—33% on Rotten Tomatoes—and the shift to a musical format starring Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn proved divisive among fans. Still, Warner Bros. had less on the line. Unlike Snow White, Joker 2 wasn’t expected to anchor a merchandising empire or appeal to multi-generational family audiences.
Rewriting the Remake Playbook?
The failure of Snow White caps a rocky streak for Disney’s live-action lineup. The studio once turned nostalgic reboots into box office gold—The Jungle Book earned $966 million in 2016—but recent entries like The Little Mermaid struggled to surpass $570 million.
Fan fatigue, controversial creative choices, and a widening gap between intention and execution have eroded the formula. While Joker 2 fell short due to bold experimentation, Snow White faltered trying to be both modern and familiar—and pleasing almost no one in the process.
What’s Next for Disney?
The $363 million loss from Snow White sends a loud signal: nostalgia alone isn’t enough. With audiences increasingly wary of radical changes to beloved stories, Disney may need to rethink its approach—focusing less on rewriting the past and more on honoring it.
Speaking of which, Lilo & Stitch hits theaters later this month. Let’s hope it does better.
Sources:
MSN, “Snow White Stumbles Past Final Global Box Office Milestones After Disastrous Theatrical Run,” May 2, 2025
ScreenRant, “Rachel Zegler’s Snow White: Early Box Office Projections Eyeing Continued Downward Trend For Live-Action Disney Remakes,” March 15, 2025
ScreenRant, “Joker 2 Box Office Manages to Pass Major Global Milestone Four Weeks After Release Despite Lackluster Theatrical Run,” October 30, 2024
The New York Times, “Snow White and the Seven Kajillion Controversies,” March 27, 2025
News compiled and edited by Ivy Adams for Pirates & Princesses.