In a stunning upset that has left Hollywood reeling, the Minecraft movie, based on the wildly popular video game, has surged to box office dominance, overshadowing Disney’s highly anticipated live-action Snow White starring Rachel Zegler. The unexpected triumph of Minecraft, which raked in over $300 million globally during its opening weekend in April 2025, has sparked intense reactions across the industry, with reports suggesting that Zegler, the 24-year-old star of Snow White, was visibly shaken by the news. The clash of these two films has ignited a firestorm of debate, raising questions about Disney’s creative direction, Zegler’s public persona, and the shifting tastes of modern audiences.
A Box Office Battle for the Ages
Disney’s Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, was poised to be a cornerstone of the studio’s live-action remake strategy. With a reported production budget of $270 million and an additional $140 million in marketing, the film carried high expectations as a reimagining of the 1937 animated classic that launched Disney’s cinematic legacy. Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the project promised a fresh take on the fairy tale, emphasizing empowerment and modern sensibilities. However, the film’s debut was anything but enchanting, opening to a modest $47 million domestically and struggling to reach $160 million globally after several weeks.
In stark contrast, A Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess and featuring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, defied expectations with a staggering $50 million on its opening day, including Thursday previews, and a projected $130–150 million weekend. By its second weekend, the film had amassed a domestic total of $278.9 million and a worldwide gross of $552.7 million, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon. The film’s success, driven by its multigenerational appeal and savvy marketing, including a McDonald’s Happy Meal tie-in and viral TikTok campaigns, has left industry analysts stunned and Disney scrambling to respond.
The stark disparity in performance has fueled speculation about Zegler’s reaction. Sources close to the actress claim she was “devastated” and “in disbelief” upon learning that Minecraft had not only outperformed Snow White but effectively “wiped it out” of the box office top five within weeks of its release. Reports of Zegler’s emotional response have circulated widely, with some outlets describing her as “freaking out” over the unexpected turn of events. While Zegler has not publicly confirmed these claims, her recent social media activity and public appearances suggest she is grappling with the fallout of Snow White’s disappointing performance.
The Snow White Controversy
The underperformance of Snow White cannot be attributed solely to competition from Minecraft. The film faced significant challenges long before its release, with much of the criticism centered on Zegler herself. Since her casting was announced in 2021, the project was mired in controversy, fueled by Zegler’s comments during promotional interviews. In a 2023 interview, she described the original 1937 film as “outdated” and suggested the remake would reframe Snow White as a “leader” rather than a damsel awaiting a prince’s rescue. Her remarks, particularly about omitting the iconic “Someday My Prince Will Come,” sparked backlash from fans who felt she was dismissing the legacy of Disney’s first animated feature.
The backlash intensified on social media, where Zegler’s statements were perceived by some as disrespectful to the original story. Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with users criticizing her for appearing to prioritize modern agendas over the fairy tale’s timeless charm. The negative discourse was compounded by creative choices in the film, such as the reimagining of the seven dwarfs, which drew further scrutiny. By the time Snow White hit theaters, it was already burdened by a wave of pre-release skepticism, with the second trailer garnering a high dislike ratio on YouTube.
The film’s box office trajectory reflected this troubled reception. After a lackluster opening, Snow White suffered a 66% drop in its second weekend, earning just $14.2 million domestically. By its fourth weekend, it had fallen out of the top five, grossing a mere $2.8 million from 2,540 theaters. Analysts now project a total global gross of approximately $143.1 million, far short of the $410 million needed to break even, leaving Disney facing an estimated $115 million loss.
Minecraft’s Unexpected Triumph
While Snow White struggled, A Minecraft Movie tapped into a cultural zeitgeist that few saw coming. Based on the block-building video game that has captivated millions since its 2009 debut, the film leaned into its quirky, nostalgic appeal. Starring Jack Black as Steve and Jason Momoa as a supporting character, the movie embraced the game’s open-world creativity, delivering a family-friendly adventure that resonated with both young fans and older players. Reports from theaters described audiences of middle schoolers “hooting, hollering, and shouting out meme lines,” with some dancing in the aisles during Jack Black’s musical performances.
The film’s marketing strategy played a significant role in its success. Warner Bros. capitalized on the game’s massive fanbase with targeted social media campaigns and partnerships that amplified its reach. Unlike Snow White, which struggled to generate viral buzz, Minecraft benefited from a groundswell of organic enthusiasm, with fan-made TikTok videos and memes driving anticipation. The film’s ability to appeal to a broad audience—kids, teens, and adults nostalgic for their Minecraft-building days—gave it a staying power that Snow White lacked.
Zegler’s Emotional Response
Zegler’s reported reaction to the box office disparity has become a focal point of the narrative. According to industry sources, the actress was blindsided by Minecraft’s dominance and deeply affected by Snow White’s failure to connect with audiences. A TikTok video posted by user @news.love4 described Zegler as offering an “emotional response” to the news, with some outlets claiming she “broke down” or “lost it” upon seeing the numbers. While these reports may be exaggerated, Zegler’s social media activity suggests she is feeling the weight of the moment. A recent Instagram post featured a reflective caption: “Art is my anchor, and I’m grateful for it,” accompanied by a photo of her performing in Evita on the West End.
Zegler’s supporters have rallied to her defense, arguing that the failure of Snow White is not her fault but rather a reflection of Disney’s missteps. “She’s a talented actress caught in a bad situation,” one fan wrote on X. Others have pointed out that Zegler’s performance in Snow White received praise from critics, even if the film itself did not resonate. Her co-star in Evita, James Olivas, recently spoke out about the media’s treatment of Zegler, stating, “It’s people just choosing to be angry at her because she is a woman of color, and she is young, an easy target.” His comments highlight the broader challenges Zegler faces as a young Latina actress navigating Hollywood’s spotlight.
Disney’s Crossroads and Zegler’s Future
The box office rout has prompted soul-searching at Disney, with reports suggesting the studio has paused development on its planned live-action Tangled remake. The failure of Snow White follows a string of underperforming remakes, raising questions about whether audiences are growing weary of Disney’s reliance on nostalgia-driven projects. While films like Inside Out 2 and Moana 2 have kept Disney’s animated slate strong, crossing the billion-dollar mark in 2024, the live-action division faces an uncertain future.
For Zegler, the fallout from Snow White is a pivotal moment in her career. The actress, who rose to fame with her Golden Globe-winning performance in West Side Story (2021), has proven her talent across film and theater, with her current role as Eva Perón in Evita earning five-star reviews. Despite the Snow White debacle, her upcoming projects, including a role in the horror film Y2K, suggest she remains a sought-after talent. However, the intense scrutiny she faces—amplified by her outspoken nature and the polarized reactions to her public comments—could shape her path forward.
A Shifting Hollywood Landscape
The triumph of A Minecraft Movie over Snow White underscores a broader shift in audience preferences. While Disney has long relied on its fairy-tale legacy to drive box office success, the rise of gaming-based films like Minecraft suggests that studios must adapt to new cultural touchstones. The success of Minecraft, much like Barbie in 2023, demonstrates the power of leveraging existing fanbases and creating experiences that resonate across generations.
For Rachel Zegler, the box office battle is a humbling moment, but it is unlikely to define her career. Her talent and resilience have carried her through previous controversies, and her ability to connect with audiences on stage and screen remains undeniable. As Hollywood navigates this new era, the story of Minecraft versus Snow White serves as a reminder that even the most storied studios can be outmaneuvered by a pixelated underdog—and that in the unpredictable world of show business, the audience always has the final say.
