Rachel Zegler, the star of Disney’s live-action "Snow White," is facing backlash online after celebrating the film’s box office success. The 23-year-old actress posted on Instagram, declaring, “#1 MOVIE IN THE WORLD!” alongside a photo of herself in costume. She added emojis of a red apple and a snowflake to her post, which was meant to highlight her excitement.
However, the reality is quite different. Despite Zegler’s enthusiasm, "Snow White" had one of the worst openings for a Disney remake. The film earned only $43 million in its opening weekend, a disappointing figure compared to the hefty $270 million production budget. For context, Disney’s recent live-action "The Little Mermaid" debuted with $95 million.
Critics and movie fans quickly pointed out the film’s struggles in the comments. Many mocked Zegler for celebrating a film that has been labeled a potential flop. Comments ranged from disbelief about the film’s poor performance to comparisons with other unsuccessful Disney projects, such as the 2019 release of "Dumbo," which earned slightly more at $46 million.
The situation was further complicated by the lack of competition at the box office. During the weekend of March 21, "Snow White" faced minimal rival films, with the next highest earner, "Black Bag," bringing in just $4.2 million. This led some to suggest that the film’s top spot was more about a lack of competition than actual success.
Critically, "Snow White" has also struggled. The film holds a low score of 44% on Rotten Tomatoes, with many reviewers harshly criticizing its lack of artistic merit. One critic even described it as a product driven solely by profit, lacking any real creativity.
Overall, Rachel Zegler’s celebration of "Snow White" as a box office leader has drawn significant criticism, highlighting the disconnect between her excitement and the film’s disappointing reception. As it stands, "Snow White" is on track to be one of Disney’s biggest flops, leaving many to wonder about the future of live-action adaptations.