A Promising Debut for ‘Snow White’

Disney’s live-action adaptation of the iconic 1937 animated film ‘Snow White’ is projected to achieve box office earnings between $45 million and $55 million in its opening weekend across approximately 4,200 theaters in North America. Including an anticipated international haul of around $50 million, the film is set to surpass the $100 million mark globally upon its release.

Comparative Box Office Performance

Although the estimated opening figures for ‘Snow White’ are significant, they fall short of the initial performances of previous Disney live-action remakes. For instance:

• ‘The Little Mermaid’ (2023): $95 million
• ‘Jungle Book’ (2016): $103 million
• ‘The Lion King’ (2019): $191 million
• ‘Aladdin’ (2019): $91 million
• ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (2017): $174 million

In comparison, ‘Snow White’ is more closely aligned with the opening weekend of ‘Dumbo’ (2019), which earned $45 million but ultimately grossed only $353 million worldwide against a production budget of $170 million.

Production Costs and Expectations

With an estimated production cost exceeding $250 million, ‘Snow White’ faces higher stakes than its predecessor ‘Dumbo.’ To justify its budget, the film requires significant box office success and prolonged theater presence. Disney is aiming for a performance trajectory similar to that of ‘Mufasa,’ the ‘Lion King’ prequel, which opened with $35 million yet went on to amass $252 million domestically.

Cast and Storyline

Rachel Zegler, known for her role in ‘West Side Story,’ stars as the titular character, while Gal Gadot portrays the Evil Queen. The storyline follows Snow White as she collaborates with seven dwarfs to reclaim her kingdom from her oppressive stepmother. Following ‘Snow White,’ audiences can expect another live-action remake from Disney, ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ slated for release in May.

Controversies and Market Dynamics

Despite the potential for strong ticket sales, ‘Snow White’ has encountered its share of controversies. Discontent has arisen over modifications to the traditional narrative, as Zegler describes this version as “more feminist.” Furthermore, the differing political views of the lead actresses regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict have sparked calls for boycotts. In response, Disney has decided to reduce the movie’s media exposure by omitting the red carpet premiere.

Challenges for ‘Alto Knights’

In contrast, Warner Bros.’ new release, ‘Alto Knights,’ starring Robert De Niro, is projected to earn between $2 million and $3 million from 2,800 theaters. Originally titled ‘Wise Guys,’ this R-rated mob drama revolves around a conflict between notorious crime bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, leading to a downward spiral of chaos.

With a budget of $45 million, ‘Alto Knights’ could mark another unsuccessful theatrical venture for Warner Bros., following the lackluster performance of ‘Mickey 17,’ which grossed $90 million globally against a production cost of $118 million. Upcoming films, including sequels to ‘Mortal Kombat,’ ‘Final Destination,’ and ‘The Conjuring,’ are poised to uplift the studio’s fortunes in the coming months.