'Snow White' Struggles in Theaters — But Disney Might Still Win

Disney's 'Snow White' remake isn't drawing crowds, performing poorly at the box office. Yet, appearances might be deceiving, as Disney often has a plan up its sleeve.

After its initial shaky release, Disney's reimagining of their first princess tale encountered a challenging second week. Hampered by subpar critiques and some political fallout, 'Snow White' struggled to gather just $14 million, a mere third of its initial domestic intake. Despite having global earnings of $143 million, the substantial $270 million budget (excluding additional marketing costs) poses a daunting challenge for financial success.

However, experts in the movie business suggest that ticket sales are just one piece of the puzzle.

David A. Gross from FranchiseRe movie consultancy mentioned to Business Insider that, while theater revenues for 'Snow White' may fall short, profitability is still within reach. After considering digital sales, video-on-demand rentals, streaming on multiple platforms like Disney+, Hulu, and ABC, alongside merchandise and theme park tie-ins, the movie may still cover its expenses.

A Streaming Success Story?

The considerable debate swirling around the film may unexpectedly serve as 'Snow White's' ace in the hole once it exits cinemas.

Casting choices, including a diverse actor for the role of Snow White and the use of CGI for the dwarves, drew critique and fueled ongoing perceptions of Disney as pushing an agenda. CEO Bob Iger has expressed a desire to sidestep this 'woke' label.

Paul Dergarabedian from Comscore noted that the film’s entanglement in cultural and political discussions isn't advantageous for family-focused, PG-rated offerings from Disney.

Yet, what seemed problematic in theaters might translate to substantial interest online.

"Films generating significant discourse, whether favorable or not, tend to perform superbly on streaming platforms," Dergarabedian explained.

For many Disney+ users, there's a sense of curiosity: 'I missed it at the cinema, but now I’m intrigued.'

Though Disney didn't necessarily aim for 'Snow White' to be a blockbuster streaming smash, Gross explains how others like Netflix and Amazon accept spending hundreds of millions on similar ventures, proving theatrical runs aren't prerequisites for profitability.

Gross muses over 'Snow White's' prospective value once it hits Disney+.

The Unexpected Rival

In its sophomore week, 'Snow White' saw itself overtaken by 'A Working Man,' an action feature with a lean $40 million budget. Despite its modest production cost, this Jason Statham thriller won't enjoy the enduring appeal among youngsters or the merchandise opportunities 'Snow White' does.

The current audience trend hints at fatigue with Disney's focus on reboots and sequels.

Despite 'Snow White’ seemingly faltering creatively and financially, an eventual payoff isn't out of the question. So, expect Disney to persist with remakes, including titles like 'Moana.'

As Dergarabedian pointed out, the company's resilience lies in its diverse revenue avenues such as streaming and merchandise — crucial components in Disney's financial ecosystem.