In a dramatic turn of events, Disney’s live-action Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler, has suffered a significant setback on streaming platforms, compounding the film’s already troubled theatrical run. Released on Disney+ on June 11, 2025, the film initially showed promise, climbing to No. 4 globally on streaming charts within its first 24 hours and topping the charts in 12 countries. However, by mid-July, its rankings plummeted, dropping to No. 6 in the United States and fading from the top spots in several international markets. This sharp decline has reignited fierce criticism of Zegler, whose outspoken persona and controversial comments have made her a lightning rod for blame in the film’s ongoing struggles. As the Snow White remake continues to falter, the young actress finds herself at the center of a cultural storm, with fans, critics, and industry insiders questioning her role in the project’s failure and her future in Hollywood.
The Snow White remake, a $269 million reimagining of Disney’s 1937 animated classic, was envisioned as a triumphant addition to the studio’s live-action portfolio. Instead, it has become a cautionary tale of mismanaged expectations, divisive marketing, and polarizing star power. Zegler, the 24-year-old actress who rose to fame with her Golden Globe-winning role in West Side Story, has been singled out by detractors who argue her political activism and dismissive remarks about the original film alienated audiences. The streaming crash, following a lackluster $206 million global box office, has intensified scrutiny of Zegler, with social media posts and industry chatter painting her as the primary culprit behind Snow White’s downfall. Yet, her supporters argue she’s been unfairly scapegoated for systemic issues, highlighting the complex dynamics of Hollywood’s culture wars.
A Promising Start, a Swift Decline
When Snow White debuted on Disney+ in June 2025, it initially appeared to defy its theatrical woes. The film, directed by Marc Webb and starring Zegler as the titular princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, capitalized on the platform’s global reach, hitting No. 4 on FlixPatrol’s worldwide charts and claiming the top spot in countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Spain. Fans praised Zegler’s luminous performance, with one X post declaring, “Rachel Zegler’s Snow White is a star-making turn—Disney+ viewers are loving her!” The film’s audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, at 70%, suggested a warmer reception than its 39% critic score, hinting at a potential redemption arc.
However, the momentum was short-lived. By July 12, FlixPatrol reported a three-spot drop to No. 6 in the U.S., with the film struggling to maintain its global average rank of 2.5. In markets like the UK and Germany, it fell out of the top 10 entirely, overshadowed by newer releases like Zootopia 2 and The Accountant 2. Social media sentiment turned harsh, with posts on X lamenting, “Snow White’s streaming numbers are tanking—Rachel Zegler’s ‘win’ lasted a week.” The rapid decline was particularly striking given the film’s high-profile marketing push, which included a scaled-down premiere and heavy promotion at Disney’s D23 Expo in 2024. The streaming crash has fueled speculation that Snow White may join other Disney live-action remakes, like Pinocchio and Peter Pan & Wendy, as streaming exclusives that fail to sustain long-term interest.
Zegler’s Role in the Controversy
Rachel Zegler’s journey with Snow White has been fraught with controversy since her casting was announced in June 2021. As a Latina actress of Colombian-Polish descent, she faced immediate backlash from purists who argued she didn’t fit the description of a princess with “skin as white as snow.” The criticism escalated when Zegler, in a 2022 interview with Extra TV, called the 1937 film “extremely dated” and described its prince as a “stalker,” emphasizing that the remake would focus on Snow White as a feminist leader rather than a damsel in distress. These comments, intended to highlight the film’s modernized narrative, were perceived by some as disrespectful to Disney’s legacy, with one X user writing, “Why take the role if you hate the original so much? Zegler’s trashed a classic.”
Her political activism further inflamed tensions. In August 2024, Zegler posted “and always remember, free palestine” on X, minutes after thanking fans for the Snow White trailer’s 120 million views. The post, which garnered 8.8 million views, prompted Disney producer Marc Platt to fly to New York to urge her to tone down her social media activity. Zegler stood her ground, refusing to delete the post, and later doubled down with Instagram posts criticizing President Donald Trump and his supporters after the 2024 election, including a statement wishing they “never know peace.” These remarks led to boycott calls from both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel groups, with some targeting her co-star Gal Gadot’s Israeli background and military service. Disney eventually hired a social media manager to vet Zegler’s posts, but the damage was done, with Jonah Platt, Marc’s son, publicly blaming her “personal politics” for the film’s poor performance.
The backlash wasn’t limited to her activism. The decision to replace the seven dwarfs with CGI “magical creatures” sparked outrage, particularly after Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage criticized the move as regressive. Disney’s explanation—that the creatures were designed to avoid stereotypes after consulting with the dwarfism community—failed to quell the controversy. Zegler, as the film’s public face, bore the brunt of the criticism, with fans on X arguing that she should have defended the original characters more vocally. The combination of these issues—her casting, her comments, and the film’s creative choices—created a perfect storm that tanked its theatrical run and now threatens its streaming legacy.
A Divided Reception
Despite the negativity, Zegler has garnered significant support from peers and fans who view her as a victim of unfair targeting. Actress Melissa Barrera, fired from Scream 7 for her own pro-Palestine posts, called Zegler “cool as hell and full of integrity” on Instagram Stories, slamming a Variety article that painted her as difficult. Film critic David Ehrlich tweeted, “Rachel Zegler RULES and has a lifetime of incredible roles ahead,” while an open letter from over 50 journalists condemned Variety’s coverage as a “hit job” designed to scapegoat her. Supporters argue that Zegler, at 24, has been unfairly burdened with the weight of a troubled production, with one X post stating, “Blaming Rachel for Snow White’s flop is lazy. The script was weak, the CGI was off, and Disney’s remake obsession is the real problem.”
Critics, however, point to Zegler’s actions as a self-inflicted wound. Her decision to celebrate the film’s opening weekend as the “#1 MOVIE IN THE WORLD” on Instagram, despite its $42.2 million domestic debut falling far short of expectations, was seen as tone-deaf. The post, accompanied by a photo of her in costume, prompted immediate backlash, with comments disabled after users flooded the thread with criticism. One X user wrote, “Zegler’s victory lap for a $42M opening on a $269M budget is delusional.” The film’s 66% second-weekend drop, grossing just $14.2 million, further undermined her claim, cementing Snow White as one of Disney’s biggest recent flops, alongside The Marvels and Mufasa: The Lion King.
Industry and Cultural Implications
The Snow White debacle reflects broader challenges for Disney’s live-action remake strategy. Once a reliable cash cow, with hits like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, the studio’s recent remakes have struggled to recapture that magic. Snow White’s $206 million global box office, against a budget exceeding $250 million, underscores a growing audience fatigue with rehashed stories. The film’s streaming performance, while initially strong, mirrors the trajectory of other Disney+ exclusives that fade quickly after their debut. Posts on X have echoed this sentiment, with one user noting, “Disney’s remakes are running on fumes. Snow White’s streaming crash proves audiences want original stories, not recycled nostalgia.”
For Zegler, the fallout has raised questions about her career trajectory. Despite her acclaimed performances in West Side Story and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, her lack of confirmed film projects beyond a comedy-drama, She Gets It from Me, with Marisa Tomei, suggests Hollywood may be hesitant to cast her in major roles. Industry insiders have labeled her “too dangerous to touch” due to her polarizing online presence, though her starring role in the West End’s Evita revival has kept her in the spotlight. Her vocal talent and stage presence have been praised, with fans arguing that theatre may be her true calling.
A Path Forward?
Zegler has addressed the backlash in a June 2025 interview with i-D magazine, revealing that therapy and anti-anxiety medication helped her cope with the intense scrutiny. She stood firm on her activism, stating, “My compassion has no boundaries,” and emphasized that her support for causes like Palestine does not negate other perspectives. While she apologized for her Trump-related comments, her defiance in the face of criticism has won her admiration from some, with actress Ariana Grande among those praising her resilience. However, the Snow White saga has left scars, with Zegler removing the film from her Instagram bio, a subtle signal of her desire to move on.
As Disney evaluates the wreckage of Snow White, the studio faces pressure to rethink its approach to remakes. The cancellation of a Tangled live-action project and the departure of Sean Bailey, the architect of Disney’s remake strategy, suggest a shift may be underway. For Zegler, the challenge is to navigate a polarized industry and fanbase while leveraging her undeniable talent. Whether she can rise above the Snow White controversy remains uncertain, but her supporters argue that her authenticity and passion will ultimately prevail. For now, the streaming crash serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes of Hollywood’s culture wars, with Zegler caught in the crossfire.
