A new report indicates that Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White has become one of the most expensive box office disappointments in recent years, with estimated losses approaching $170 million.
According to reporting highlighted by Forbes, filings tied to the film’s production show that the remake cost a staggering $336.5 million to produce. Because the movie was filmed in the United Kingdom, Disney was required to operate through a subsidiary company, Hidden Heart Productions, in order to qualify for local tax incentives. U.K. disclosure rules make production spending more transparent than typical Hollywood projects filmed in the United States, allowing observers to piece together the film’s total costs.
The filings through December 31, 2024, just months before the film’s release, suggest the production budget ultimately ballooned well beyond earlier projections. Even with a $64.9 million reimbursement from the U.K. government, net production costs were reportedly still around $271.6 million.
Box office math further compounded the problem. Industry research commonly estimates that theaters retain roughly half of ticket sales. Based on reported revenue, Disney’s share from global box office receipts would have been approximately $102.9 million. Subtracting that from the net production cost results in an estimated $168.7 million loss at the box office alone, not including additional marketing and distribution expenses.
Commentary outlets have labeled the film one of the biggest box office bombs in dollar terms, especially given the size of the investment and Disney’s past success with live-action remakes such as Beauty and the Beast, which grossed $1.3 billion worldwide in 2017.
Beyond financial struggles, the remake faced years of cultural controversy. Actor Peter Dinklage criticized Disney in 2022 for revisiting what he described as an outdated story about “seven dwarfs,” even as the company promoted progressive casting choices. Disney initially explored reimagining the dwarfs as diverse “magical creatures,” before ultimately reverting to computer-animated mythological dwarfs closer to the 1937 original.
Lead actress Rachel Zegler also drew backlash after publicly criticizing elements of the original animated classic and making politically charged social media posts, including comments directed at President Donald Trump and his supporters.
With rising production costs, heavy marketing expenses, and divided audience reception, Snow White’s performance underscores the financial risks studios face when large-scale remakes become mired in controversy before they even reach theaters.
The post Disney Loses $170 Million With ‘Snow White’ Flop: Report appeared first on Real News Now.
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