The Walt Disney Company’s live-action remake of Snow White is off to a rough start, with the latest sneak peek receiving overwhelming negative feedback. The video has racked up 84,000 “dislikes” on YouTube in just two days, far outpacing the number of likes.
Disney released the sneak peek over the weekend as part of its promotional campaign to generate excitement for the film. However, the movie has been marred by delays, controversy surrounding its lead actress, and a skyrocketing budget estimated to be close to $300 million. That Park Place first reported the negative reaction, noting that YouTube hides the “dislike” counter, but a Google Chrome extension has allowed users to see the overwhelming rejection of the video.
Set for release on March 21, Snow White stars Rachel Zegler as the iconic princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. The film was originally slated for an early 2024 debut but was delayed by a year amid rumors of extensive reshoots.
Adding to the controversy, Zegler has made multiple inflammatory statements. Following the November election, she posted on Instagram that Trump voters were part of a “deep, deep sickness in this country,” ending her message with “F*** Donald Trump.” After intense backlash, she issued a public apology, admitting that she “let her emotions get the best of her.” In August, Zegler also sparked outrage by posting “Free Palestine” on social media while promoting another Snow White trailer.
With a rumored budget nearing $300 million, the film faces an uphill battle at the box office. Industry analysts estimate that Snow White would need to gross more than $1 billion worldwide just to break even, factoring in production, marketing, and distribution costs. Given the heavy backlash and ongoing controversies, Disney’s latest remake may struggle to capture audiences when it hits theaters.
