Disney’s live-action Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, hit theaters on March 21, and the early buzz was all sunshine and rainbows. Just a few days ago, on March 17, influencers and casual reviewers dropped glowing takes, hyping it as a “visual feast” and a “charming update,” according to posts on X and outlets like Daily Mail.
But here’s the catch-those first reactions came from folks who aren’t exactly trained to dissect a film’s bones. They’re more about vibes than critique, and it showed. Now, as serious critics from heavy-hitting sites weigh in on Rotten Tomatoes, the tide’s turned-and it’s not pretty for this remake.
The shift started when reviews from outlets like The Times and Screen Daily rolled out, painting a starkly different picture. “Disney has trashed its crown jewel and its reputation,” wrote Kevin Maher of The Times , slamming the film as a “sanctimonious reboot” that’s more preachy than magical.
He didn’t hold back on Zegler’s “watery and ineffectual” Snow White or Gadot’s over-the-top Evil Queen, suggesting viewers “bring a sick bag.” That’s a far cry from the “shining supernova” praise influencers tossed around earlier. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film’s score has tanked to a Rotten 46% with 78 reviews at the time of this writing, one of the lowest for a Disney live-action remake.
Serious critics call out unnecessary remake
Why the hate? Serious critics aren’t buying what Disney’s selling-an “unnecessary” retread of the 1937 classic that’s more about messaging than storytelling. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman noted, “It’s a film that wants to be progressive but feels like it’s pandering,” pointing to a script that trades the original’s charm for forced empowerment vibes.
The dwarfs-or “magical creatures” now-get flak too, with The Guardian calling the CGI switch “a soulless dodge” after Peter Dinklage’s 2022 dwarfism critique stirred the pot. Critics say it’s a remake that didn’t need to happen, especially when the original still holds a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Influencers might’ve been dazzled by shiny visuals and new songs, but pros see through the gloss. “A hollow echo of what came before,” IndieWire chimed in, docking points for a lack of heart. The consensus? Disney swung big but missed, and now that the serious reviews are stacking up, Snow White’s looking more like a misstep than a triumph. Social media’s abuzz with the flip-fans who cheered early are now side-eyeing those rosy first takes as the real critics drop truth bombs.
