Could Snow White’s loss put a stop of Disney live-action remakes? Possibilities explored 

Hollywood has undergone a live-action-remake renaissance in recent years, but Snow White's commercial failure might finally put an end to it. The Rachel Zegler-starrer was Disney's latest shot at bringing their animated classics back to the screen. However, amid controversies and a less-than-favorable reception from critics, the film has received a majority of negative reviews on Rotten Tomatoes with a 40% rating.

Ratings such as these usually do not directly affect a film's box office collection since the critics' and audiences' views do not always align. However, movie-goers are not pleased with the fairy-tale remake either, which has led to its dismal box office performance. Although currently, Snow White has grossed $170 million internationally, given the negative reception and a B+ CinemaScore, the film's earning potential in the coming weeks looks grim.

Although $170 million is not a small number, it is far less than the expected collection from this tentpole, which was reportedly made with a budget of $240 to $270 million. So, Snow White's loss might just put a stop to Disney's live-action remakes for the time being.

How does Snow White's loss affect Disney's live-action remakes?

Disney has embraced the live-action remake formula since 2010, which kicked off with the release of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, the second-highest-grossing film of the year. The studio followed it up with Maleficent (2014), Cinderella (2015), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and more, most of which proved to be successful.

These remakes would rely on an existing fan base and hence, they could bank on the general masses' familiarity with the source material for profit. After all, the fans wouldn't mind watching Cinderella or Simba's story on screen all over again. However, in recent years, it hasn't been a predictable path to the box office glory.

While Barry Jenkins' Mufasa: The Lion King was one of the highest-grossing releases of 2024, others like Dumbo, Little Mermaid, and Pete's Dragon failed to meet expectations. Furthermore, the latest Snow White adaptation has had an underwhelming box office run and will presumably be a commercial disappointment for the studio. Its loss has reportedly affected the future of the Tangled live-action remake.

On April 3, 2025, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Disney's decision to put on hold the development of theTangled adaptation. The project had Better Man's Michael Gracey as director, alongside Thor: Love and Thunder co-writer Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. It is unclear when the project will be taken up again in the future after Snow White's lackluster performance. However, this decision reflects a potential change in the studio's future strategy for live-action remakes.

Does Disney have any other live-action remakes in the pipeline?

Ahead of Snow White, Disney has two live-action projects on its roster: one in its production stage and the other waiting for its release. The Lilo & Stitch adaptation has been scheduled for a May 23, 2025, release while the Moana remake is supposed to hit theatres on July 10, 2026.

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Lilo & Stitch's Super Bowl teaser scored big numbers for the studio and offered hope for its success. On the other hand, it is expected that the massive commercial success of the animated Moana movies might offer a push for its live-action remake.

As for the other rumored remake projects like Bambi, Robin Hood, and Hercules, their fate is now uncertain. Disney may hold off on moving forward it figures out an approach to these projects for promising commercial returns.

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