Advertisement
The live-action adaptation of Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, is officially set to arrive on streaming platforms after a mixed theatrical run. Despite being one of the most expensive productions in Disney’s live-action lineup, with a staggering budget of $240–270 million, the film underperformed at the box office, largely due to controversial creative choices and public backlash. Among the criticisms were the heavy use of CGI in place of the original seven dwarfs, as well as the costume design, which many fans felt lacked the iconic charm of the original.
Further fueling the movie’s struggles was the controversy surrounding lead actress Rachel Zegler, whose comments about the classic princess narrative drew backlash online and contributed to a dip in audience enthusiasm ahead of the release. While the film generated substantial pre-release buzz, these issues affected its overall reception and box office performance, falling short of the expectations Disney had placed on such a high-budget venture.
Nevertheless, Snow White will now find a new audience as it premieres on OTT platforms. The film became available for streaming on June 11 on Disney+, and Indian viewers can access it through JioHotstar. Alongside Zegler and Gadot, the cast includes Andrew Burnup, Martin Klebba, Andrew Barth Feldman, and Ansu Kabia, among others.
The official synopsis follows a familiar yet reimagined storyline: “Fleeing from the Evil Queen, Snow White finds refuge with Dopey, Bashful, Grumpy, Sneezy, Happy, Doc, and Sleepy. When the palace guards embark on a mission to bring her back, a commoner and his group of woodland bandits band together to protect her.” While the core elements of the classic tale are preserved, Disney’s modern reinterpretation attempted to deliver a more progressive narrative, though it came at the cost of alienating part of its original fan base.
With its digital release, the film may gain a second wind as audiences revisit it without the box office expectations, allowing them to judge the film on its own creative merits from the comfort of their homes.