Disney’s live-action Snow White (2025) hits theaters this Friday. After years of controversy, critics are starting to get their first look at the film, and the early reviews have been great for Disney.
Of course, cynical audience members might think that Disney is paying influences to give these great reviews out of fear of losing their access to the Mouse House. However, these positive reviews are coming from national publications that would have no problem trashing Disney.
Variety’s Katcy Stephan wrote:
(Zegler) beautifully embodying the graceful, gentle nature of the OG Disney princess. It’s a visual feast with show-stopping new musical numbers and, of course, dozens of enchanting animated animals. The screenplay wisely gives its heroine newfound depth through her fervent desire to become the leader her father believed she could be, and a love story that’s sweet as apple pie.
Listen, I was worried, but let me tell you Snow White is PURE DISNEY MAGIC!
This will end up being a lot of people’s favorite live-action remake. pic.twitter.com/o9SRPIircu
— Skyler Shuler (@SkylerShuler) March 16, 2025
And that’s not the only positive review. Others who saw the movie Zegler said it was “absolutely stunning” and “quite charming.” Others called the film “Pure Disney Magic.” One critic admitted that the movie almost brought her to tears.
These early reviews must have been a massive relief for Disney, who believed the movie would be a disaster. However, with the film being so polarizing, it remains to be seen if the audience can put their personal opinion aside to pay to see the new Snow White.
‘Snow White’ Controversies
When it was announced that Zegler, who is half Colombian, would take on the role of Snow White, there was an immediate backlash. Some labeled Disney “woke” for changing the main character to be more inclusive. The “woke” label stayed with Disney after it was revealed that Disney had replaced the seven dwarfs with seven “magical creatures.”
Disney delayed the release of Snow White from 2024 to 2025 to reshoot scenes and bring back the dwarfs. As a result, the film’s spending ballooned to over $270 million, not including publicity spending.
After getting the role, Zegler did not help to tamp down the “woke” controversies. She criticized the original film, calling it “weird” and Prince Charming a “stalker.”
More recently, she said that she hopes Donald Trump and his supporters “never know peace,” which they took as a threat. Zegler has since apologized for those remarks.
Disney also scaled back the film’s premieres in London and Los Angeles to address some controversies. However, it appears that Disney has a solid movie in its hands.
Will the audience show up? We’ll find out on Friday.
Will you see Disney’s ‘Snow White?’
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