Disney’s live-action Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler, was poised to charm audiences with its Mother’s Day weekend re-release. The timing seemed perfect: a family-friendly fairy tale, a nostalgic nod to the 1937 classic, and a chance to celebrate moms with a story of kindness and courage. Yet, the re-release flopped spectacularly, earning a mere $335,000 across 1,330 theaters—an average of just $50 per theater. Social media buzz, including posts on X, amplified the failure, with some claiming moms gave Zegler “the finger.” So, why did this high-profile remake fail to resonate, and what does it mean for Zegler’s rising star?

The Mother’s Day re-release was a bold move by Disney to salvage the film, which had already struggled during its initial March 2025 run. Despite a $300 million budget, Snow White grossed only $202.8 million worldwide, marking a $115 million loss. The re-release aimed to draw families, particularly mothers and daughters, but the numbers tell a grim story. Posts on X, like one from @cosmicbooknews, called the re-release a “laughable” disaster, while @YellowFlashGuy suggested audiences outright rejected Zegler. The sentiment online paints a picture of a film unable to escape its controversies.

Zegler, a 23-year-old actress of Colombian-Polish descent, has been at the heart of the storm. Her casting as Snow White sparked debates, with critics arguing she didn’t match the “skin as white as snow” description from the original tale. Zegler’s comments about the 1937 film didn’t help. She called its love story “weird” and emphasized a feminist reboot where Snow White dreams of leadership, not romance. These remarks alienated some fans, who felt she disrespected a beloved classic. David Hand Jr., son of the original director, even claimed Walt Disney would be “turning in his grave.”

The film’s troubles extend beyond Zegler’s remarks. Production controversies, including the decision to use CGI dwarfs instead of actors with dwarfism, drew backlash. The film’s 42% Rotten Tomatoes score and 1.6/10 IMDb rating—tainted by review-bombing—further hurt its appeal. Zegler’s political outspokenness, particularly her pro-Palestine stance, also polarized audiences. A tweet supporting Palestine, posted alongside Snow White promotion, led to death threats against co-star Gal Gadot, who is Israeli, prompting Disney to beef up security. Producer Marc Platt’s son, Jonah, publicly blamed Zegler’s “personal politics” for hurting the film’s box office, though he later deleted the post after fan backlash.

Despite the negativity, Zegler has her defenders. Fans on X and journalists like David Ehrlich have praised her talent, calling her “captivating” in roles like The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Actress Melissa Barrera, fired from Scream 7 for similar political comments, called Zegler “cool as hell” for standing her ground. Film critic Kelechi Ehenulo argued Zegler is a victim of “culture wars,” targeted as a Latina actress in a high-profile role. An open letter from over 50 journalists condemned media outlets for framing Zegler as the sole reason for the film’s failure, calling it a “hit job.”

Disney’s decision to re-release Snow White on Mother’s Day may have misjudged its audience. The film’s heavy budget, mixed reviews, and lack of nostalgia for a 90-year-old story didn’t help. Unlike The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast, Snow White lacks the same modern cultural pull. Younger audiences, unfamiliar with the original, didn’t show up, and older fans were turned off by the controversies. The Mother’s Day tie-in, meant to evoke family bonding, instead highlighted the film’s disconnect with its core demographic.

What’s next for Zegler? Her Broadway debut as Juliet in Romeo + Juliet earned critical acclaim, and she’s set to star in Evita on the West End. Her performance in Snow White, despite the film’s flaws, received some positive reviews for its charm and vocal power. While Disney may be “grumpy” about the box office, Zegler’s talent suggests she’s far from “bashful” about her future. For now, the Snow White saga serves as a cautionary tale about navigating nostalgia, controversy, and audience expectations in today’s polarized world.