Disney's live-action remake of Snow White has missed box office forecasts amid a series of controversies and a flurry of negative reviews.
The musical, an adaptation of the 1937 animated classic, collected $43 million in the US and Canada over the weekend, Disney said on Sunday. The film, which was released on March 21, was expected to make $45 million to $55 million during its opening weekend, an already low estimate for a major production which cost an estimated $250 million to make.
Snow White's sleepy opening is very different to Disney's series of live-action remakes. The Little Mermaid collected $95.5 million in 2023, while 2017's Cinderella took in $67.8 million. Dumbo, Tim Burton's take on the 1941 animated film, opened by taking in $46 million in 2019.
Directed by Marc Webb, who has given Disney two blockbuster Spider-Man films, Snow White has also failed to impress critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a 44 per cent rating.
The Guardian called it “toe-curlingly terrible” while The Rolling Stone said it was a strong contender for the “blandest” live-action remake.
Some reviews also criticised Disney's decision to make changes to the original story. Instead of trying to find a husband, the new Snow White leads a rebellion against the Evil Queen. And her love interest is one of the rebels, not a prince.
The film has also been marred by a series of woes since it was announced in 2016, from the Covid-19 pandemic to accidents on set and criticism of its use of CGI, not real actors, to portray the seven dwarfs. The New York Times called it “one of the most troubled projects in Disney's 102-year history.”
Most recently, the opposing political stances of the film's main leads have grabbed headlines. Rachel Zegler, who plays Snow White, has been outspoken about her support for Palestinians. Just a day after sharing the first footage from Snow White for a crowd of adoring fans last year, she posted a note of gratitude on X, ended her message with: “And always remember, free Palestine.”
In an interview with Variety in October 2024, she doubled down on her stance. “I can’t watch children die. I don’t think that should be a hot take,” she said.
“I’m only responsible for what I feel. And then I’m also responsible for how I act upon it. We’re nearing one year since the horrendous attacks in Israel on October 7, but I’ve been following this conflict for so many years.”
Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, meanwhile, served two years in the IDF, and has been open about her support for her country and its policies. “I stand with Israel you should too,” she posted on Instagram in 2023.
Some Disney fans in the UAE told The National they were boycotting Snow White because of Gadot. Palestinian filmmaker and Dubai resident Waleed K Hmidan said going to the movies will not be escapism if Gadot is in it, but “a reminder that I have a home I am unable to return to”.
“Gal Gadot has never been shy to make dehumanising comments about Palestinians and aiding colonialism and genocide,” he said, adding that the actress is proud of her Israeli military service. “I will not normalise having her appear on the big screen.”
On Wednesday, Jonah Platt, the son of Snow White producer Marc Platt, blamed Zegler's pro-Palestine stance for the film's poor performance.
In a since-deleted Instagram comment, Jonah Platt revealed that his father flew to New York last year to “reprimand” Zegler about her “free Palestine” post and to ask her to delete it, which the actress refused.
“Yeah, my dad, the producer of enormous piece of Disney IP with hundreds of millions of dollars on the line, had to leave his family to fly across the country to reprimand his 20-year-old employee for dragging her personal politics into the middle of promoting the movie for which she signed a multi-million-dollar contract to get paid and do publicity for,” Platt wrote. “This is called adult responsibility and accountability. And her actions clearly hurt the film’s box office.”
Platt is a small-time actor and host of the Being Jewish podcast. He is the brother of Tony Award-winner Ben Platt. Meanwhile, Zegler's post is still up on her X account.
However, there is hope yet for Snow White. Last year, another Disney live-action remake, Mufasa: The Lion King, opened to only $35 million and mixed reviews, but went on to make more than $700 million globally during its cinema run.
– A version of this story was first published on Marc 25, 2025
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Profile
Company name: Marefa Digital
Based: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Number of employees: seven
Sector: e-learning
Funding stage: Pre-seed funding of Dh1.5m in 2017 and an initial seed round of Dh2m in 2019
Investors: Friends and family
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
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How many games the top 10 have undertaken in the 2017 ATP season
1. Rafael Nadal 58 (49-9)
2. Andy Murray 35 (25-10)
3. Roger Federer 38 (35-3)
4. Stan Wawrinka 37 (26-11)
5. Novak Djokovic 40 (32-8)
6. Alexander Zverev 60 (46-14)
7. Marin Cilic 43 (29-14)
8. Dominic Thiem 60 (41-19)
9. Grigor Dimitrov 48 (34-14)
10. Kei Nishikori 43 (30-13)
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
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Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Juventus 1 Ajax 2
Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
