Warning: This article includes SPOILERS for Snow White (2025)!
The live-actionSnow Whitedidn’t live up to my expectations, but the soundtrack is a gem that I will certainly listen to on repeat. After four years,Snow Whitehas finally hit the big screens, eliciting extremely mixed reactions from myself and other critics. While I don’t hate the live-actionSnow White, I didn’t love it either. On the positive side, the movie packed in nostalgia-inducing Easter eggs that made me smile, such as the storybook opening and the replicating of key shots from the original film.Rachel Zegler also gave an incredible performance as Snow White, perfectly embodying the princess.
However, Gal Gadot gave a horribly inconsistent performance, which was neither scary nor campy. She waffled back and forth, never fully achieving either interpretation of the Evil Queen.The CGI dwarfsalso remind me ofThe Polar Express, causing an uncanny valley effect to the point that I felt physically uncomfortable looking at Dopey’s face. Unfortunately, I can’t isolate the fantastic aspects of the movie from these negatives, so I might not watchSnow Whiteagain. However, I’ll still happily listen to theSnow Whitesoundtrack on repeat because of the fantastic vocals, lyricism, and musical composition.
The Soundtrack Is The Best Part Of Disney’s Snow White
Snow White’s Soundtrack Moves The Story Forward And Adds Character Development
Outside of Rachel Zegler’s performance, my favorite part of the 2025 live-action movie is, by far, theSnow Whitesoundtrack.The movie features lyrics and music written by the EGOT-winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, with contributions from lyricist Jack Feldman and songwriter Lizzy McAlpine.Snow White’s creative team removed “I’m Wishing/One Song” and “With a Smile and a Song” but kept “Whistle While You Work,” Heigh-Ho,” and “The Silly Song.” They technically also included “Someday My Prince Will Come,” but only as an instrumental track in the underscore. Additionally, the movie incorporated seven new songs, minus reprises.
“Snow White Returns”
“Good Things Grow (Finale)”
As the duo leading the music, Pasek & Paul nailed it when creating songs that fit with the existing music while establishing their own tone. The soundtrack feels reminiscent of Ashman and Menken, the iconic duo behind most of the Disney Renaissance. The music combines the classic Disney sound with the Broadway pop flare for which Pasek & Paul are known.
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“Waiting on a Wish” is an incredible “I want” song that establishes Snow White’s mentality while foreshadowing theending of Disney’sSnow White. Outside of that showstopper, “Good Things Grow” and “Princess Problems” rank up there among thebest songs inSnow Whitebecause they offer character development and narrative progression. Truly, the only new song I didn’t enjoy is “All Is Fair.” However, that has more to do with the lackluster vocal performance of Gal Gadot and the staging of the scene rather than the song’s composition.
Rachel Zegler & Andrew Burnap’s Vocals Elevated The Live-Action Snow White’s Songs
Most Of The Actors Increase The Emotional Impact Of The Snow White Songs
Part of the reason the live-action movie’s soundtrack feels magical is the incredible vocals from Rachel Zegler, who plays Snow White, and Andrew Bernap, who plays Jonathan,Snow White’s new love interest. From a technical perspective, Rachel Zegler gives an excellent vocal performance as Snow White.Zegler acts through her voice inSnow White, using speak-singing, her belt, and vibrato strategically to elicit different emotions from the audience.
When Zegler sings about waiting on a wish or falling in love, I believe her.
However, Zeglers vocals are also enjoyable when I turn off the analytical side of my musical theater brain, which is also impressive. Performers can sing everything technically correct but lack heart, making their performances dull. She doesn’t have this issue, though. When Zegler sings about waiting on a wish or falling in love, I believe her.
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Meanwhile, Andrew Burnap’s musical theater-style singing sounds like he walked off the Broadway stage in the best way possible, which makes sense with his theater background. Burnap expressed humility about his vocals when speaking to theLincoln Center Theaterblog during his run as Arthur in the Broadway musicalCamelot, but he’s actually quite adept.His singing inSnow Whiteconveys Jonathan’s cynicism and roguish charismawhile also offering emotional vulnerability. Ultimately,Snow White’s soundtrack might not have had the same effect if it weren’t for Zegler and Burnap.
Snow White Reaffirms Pasek & Paul Are Some Of The Greatest Modern Composers
Pasek & Paul Have Created An Incredible Legacy With Their Soundtracks And Scores
Although they might not have singlehandedly taken on the project, one of my biggest takeaways from theSnow Whitesoundtrack is the fact that Pasek & Paul are some of the greatest modern composers. Their successful track record goes all the way back to their unproduced musicalEdges, which ultimately helped connect them with Stephen Schwartz and Jeff Marx. Since that first musical, they have written many soundtracks and scores for theater, TV, and movies.
Their most prolific successes have to beDear Evan HansenandThe Greatest Showman, for which they created the music and lyrics, andLa La Land, for which they wrote the lyrics. I’m particularly fond of theirmusic forOnly Murders in the Buildingseason 3as well. However, it’s a whole different thing to create music for one of the most iconic Disney stories of all time.
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The live-actionAladdinsoundtrack showed a glimpse of their abilities. They worked with Alan Menken to write “Speechless” and update “Arabian Nights.” However, the 2025Snow Whitesoundtrack really proves for the first time that they’re capable of handling the pressure. Disney would be wise to work with them on future Broadway musical adaptations of their animated films rather than continuing to force their hand with live-action remakes that don’t live up to expectations.
