Disney’s live-action Snow White has officially closed out its theatrical run with a disappointing $205.5 million global box office haul—falling far short of its estimated $410 million cost. The film, plagued by scandal and political backlash, has become the studio’s worst-performing remake in a decade, marking another failure in a growing trend of ideologically reworked classics.
The film, led by Rachel Zegler, faced months of controversy over Zegler’s public comments that reframed the classic fairy tale as a feminist narrative. Zegler stated that her version of Snow White “isn’t going to be dreaming about true love” but instead about becoming a political leader—commentary that critics said undermined the core of the original story. Zegler’s further attacks on Trump supporters, including a since-deleted post wishing them “never know peace,” only intensified the backlash.
The consequences were clear: Disney scaled back the Hollywood premiere, reportedly began vetting Zegler’s future social media posts, and shelved development on other projects—including a live-action Tangled remake. The company also took heat from both sides for reimagining the seven dwarves using CGI, after actor Peter Dinklage criticized the concept as backward.
This isn’t the only example of Disney twisting familiar tales into progressive messaging vehicles. The upcoming Lilo & Stitch remake has already sparked controversy for reportedly altering the film’s iconic line from “ohana means family” to “ohana means foster care.” Critics argue the shift pushes a narrative that suggests state intervention is superior to traditional families, reflecting a broader agenda of normalizing government control over child-rearing.
Both Snow White and Lilo & Stitch point to a troubling trend in modern filmmaking: co-opting beloved stories to promote ideological narratives. Whether reframing fairy tales to diminish the role of traditional relationships, or redefining family to emphasize state dependency, the results have consistently alienated audiences.
Disney’s attempts to impose modern political messages onto timeless stories appear to be backfiring, both critically and financially. As the studio continues this direction, many longtime fans are walking away, rejecting content that feels more like indoctrination than entertainment.
