Snow White’s disappointing box office performance means that it probably will not achieve a rare Disney live-action feat. WithSnow White’s budgetreportedly being between $240 and $270 million, the live-action remake already had a high bar needed to break even, let alone to make a profit. Even before the movie was released,Snow White’s various controversiesdominated the discourse, which made its box office prospects even more challenging.
During its opening weekend,Snow White’s box officegrossed $87.3 million worldwide, including $44.3 million domestically.The Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot-led movie has now reached $181.6 million worldwide(viaThe Numbers), and while the theatrical run is not over, it is still far from breaking even with its production budget. This means that the live-actionSnow Whiteis unlikely to join a select group of Disney’s live-action remakes.
Only 4 Of Disney’s Live-Action Remakes Have Ever Gotten Sequels
This Includes 101 Dalmatians & The Lion King
101 Dalmatians,Alice in Wonderland,Maleficent, andThe Lion Kingare the only Disney live-action remakes to receive a sequel, which puts these four movies in an elite category of their own. Tim Burton’sAlice in Wonderlandand the 2019The Lion Kingboth grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. This led to Disney greenlighting the sequelsAlice Through the Looking GlassandMufasa: The Lion King, withMufasaacting as both a prequel and sequel to its live-action predecessor.
The Lion King(2019)
Mufasa: The Lion King(2024)
Neither101 DalmatiansnorMaleficentcrossed the $1 billion mark, but they still performed well. This is especially true ofMaleficent, which grossed $758.5 worldwide against a production of $180 million (viaThe Numbers). None of these live-action sequels earned as much as the previous movie, butMufasa: The Lion King’s box officedid end up doing exceptionally well despite a slow start, with the movie making nearly $721 million worldwide against a $200 million budget.
Snow White Is Not Going To Be Successful Enough To Warrant A Sequel From Disney
The Story Will End With The 2025 Movie
Snow White’s box office performance will not give Disney the confidence to greenlight a sequel. SinceAlice in Wonderland, Disney has only greenlit sequels for live-action remakes that were massive box office successes and there is no indication that the studio will be changing this trend any time soon. It also does not help thatSnow White’s reviewshave been largely negative, and without a strong box office or a strong reception, there is little reason to convince Disney that they should be invested in a sequel.
I Just Watched Snow White, And I’m Still Excited For Disney’s Next Live-Action Remake
Despite the disappointment of Snow White, it has not dampened my excitement for Disney’s next live-action remake releasing in May 2025.
WithSnow White’s endingseeing the titular princess (Zegler) restoring peace to the kingdom and the Evil Queen (Gadot) being defeated, the remake has concluded the primary conflict, and does not end with a cliffhanger that demands a sequel. Of course, the same could be said for101 Dalmatians,Maleficent,andThe Lion King, with their sequels happening primarily because of their predecessors' financial success.Snow Whitewill not be joining the ranks ofMaleficentandThe Lion Kingand the remake of the 1937 classic will ultimately be a standalone story.
