Disney’s live-action Snow White has a high bar to reach thanks to being a remake of a classic animated movie, and that includes becoming as successful as the original at the box office. The trend of turning beloved animated movies into new live-action tales continues in 2024 with the highly anticipated arrival of Snow White. It stars Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Queen, who step into iconic roles from Disney’s first-ever animated movie. The original 1937 movie is heralded for its animation and storytelling, allowing it to stand the test of time and make Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs a success.
Part of the reason why Disney has become so focused on these live-action remakes is the massive success that can be found at the box office. Several of them have made over $1 billion worldwide, and that is certainly the type of performance Disney is hoping from the live-action Snow White. This would easily surpass the original animated movie at the box office, but simply beating Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs might not be enough. If Disney’s retelling of Snow White is to be as successful as the first, it will need to outperform the animated release by a wide margin.
Disney’s Animated Snow White Broke Animated Box Office Records
On top of securing a place among the best animated movies of all time, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a huge box office hit. Disney repeatedly broke records upon its release in 1937 and through subsequent re-releases. The movie’s original theatrical release saw it earn $66 million worldwide, which made it a runaway hit considering the movie cost less than $2 million to make. This gross was enough for it to become the highest-grossing animated movie ever. Through various re-releases, its global haul is estimated to be $418 million according to data from Henry Wilhelm added to the 1993 re-release Box Office Mojo.
This means that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs holds a place in history due to its box office success. Disney’s controversial Snow White remake is now in a position where it must not only attempt to live up to the original’s quality, but it also has high expectations to match in terms of being an overall hit. It is expected that the live-action remake will make over $418 million to beat the animated movie, but Disney cannot settle for that given the 2024 movie’s higher budget and live-action competition. Snow White instead really needs to break box office records to match the original.
Disney’s Live-Action Snow White Must Make Over $1.6 Billion To Match The Original’s Success
The biggest record that Disney’s live-action Snow White could take down is the highest-grossing Disney live-action remake record. 2019’s The Lion King currently holds the record after making over $1.6 billion. This is a potentially unfair standard for the new movie, but that is the bar it must reach if it is to be as successful as the original. The 1937 film became the highest-grossing animated movie, so Snow White now needs to become the highest-grossing live-action remake. To do that, Snow White must make over 25 times the original’s $66 million gross, which really puts the barometer of success for both movies in perspective.
Key Release Date
Disney’s Snow White
Release Date:2025-03-21
