Disney's live-action version of the classic fairy-tale Snow White has topped the North American box office chart, earning an estimated $87.3 million globally during its opening weekend. This figure, however, fell at the low end of expectations for a film that reportedly cost over $270 million to produce, according to BBC.

The film, featuring Rachel Zegler in the titular role and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, encountered numerous controversies prior to its release. These controversies centered around casting decisions, particularly the choice of Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, as well as differing political views expressed by the lead actresses regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Additionally, the depiction of dwarfs in the film, rendered in CGI instead of live-action, has been criticized, adding to the film's troubled narrative before it even hit theaters Channel News Asia.

Despite these challenges, Snow White managed to take in about $43 million from North American audiences alone, with an additional $44 million coming from overseas markets. This total of $87 million has raised concerns about the viability of Disney's strategy of remaking animated classics into live-action features. Historically, films such as The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast achieved considerable box office success; however, Snow White's underwhelming performance has sparked discussions about the future of such adaptations SFGate.

Critics have been largely unimpressed with the film, reflected in its 44% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience feedback shows some divided sentiment, with a higher score of 73% on the audience 'Popcornometer.' The film's critical reception has led to varying reviews, with some describing it as both "bad" and "captivating." This disparity indicates that, despite critical panning, there remains a segment of the audience engaged with its re-envisioned narrative SFGate.

Looking ahead, Disney plans to continue its strategy with upcoming releases, including live-action adaptations of Lilo & Stitch and Moana. With little direct competition for family-oriented films in the immediate future, Disney remains hopeful that Snow White's box office numbers could experience a recovery in the coming weeks, as spring break approaches and families seek out entertainment options Channel News Asia.