In a disheartening turn for Disney, the live-action remake of “Snow White” has emerged as one of the studio’s most significant box office failures. After a lackluster opening weekend, where it fell short of already lowered expectations, the film suffered a staggering nearly 70% drop in its second week. Compounding its woes, “Snow White” was outperformed by a low-budget action film featuring a nearly 60-year-old star, further signaling a disconnect with audiences.

The turmoil surrounding the film escalated when Rachel Zegler, its lead actress, faced intense backlash on social media for her comments regarding the production, leading to a public reprimand from the producer’s son. As of now, “Snow White” has grossed approximately $145 million worldwide, a figure that stands in stark contrast to its ballooning production costs, which have reportedly reached around $300 million. When factoring in promotion expenses, the total expenditure may exceed $400 million, indicating that Disney would need to generate approximately $700 million just to break even.

Critics suggest that the film’s lack of appeal is indicative of a broader trend in Hollywood—audiences are increasingly rejecting what they perceive as lazy retellings of classic stories infused with divisive political messaging. This failure is not just about one film; it reflects a growing frustration with the industry’s reliance on recycled ideas and a disconnection from its audience’s desires.

With the impending release of the highly anticipated “Minecraft” movie, which targets a similar demographic, the future for “Snow White” appears bleak. Industry analysts are left pondering the implications of this failure. As the entertainment landscape shifts, the challenge for studios will be to balance creative storytelling with commercial viability. The outcome of this struggle may redefine the direction of Hollywood in the coming years, as audiences continue to demand more than just another retread of familiar tales.