In a weekend that many anticipated would rejuvenate the sluggish March box office, two high-profile releases—Disney’s live-action “Snow White” and Robert De Niro‘s gangster film “The Alto Knights”—failed to ignite substantial audience interest. Both films faced unique challenges, leading to underwhelming performances that have industry insiders re-evaluating the current cinematic landscape.
Directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White alongside Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, Disney’s “Snow White” debuted to a domestic box office of $43 million . Internationally, the film garnered an additional $44.3 million, bringing its global tally to $87.3 million . While these numbers positioned “Snow White” at the top of the weekend box office, they fall short when considering the film’s substantial production budget, reported to be over $250 million.
| TITLE | WEEKEND GROSS | DOMESTIC GROSS | LAST WEEK | THTRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Snow White* | $43,000,000 | $43,000,000 | N/A | 4,200 |
| 2. Black Bag | $4,400,000 | $14,880,000 | 2 | 2,713 |
| 3. Captain America: Brave New World | $4,100,000 | $192,117,391 | 4 | 2,900 |
| 4. Mickey 17 | $3,900,000 | $40,222,000 | 3 | 2,584 |
| 5. Novocaine | $3,760,000 | $15,769,000 | 1 | 3,369 |
| 6. The Alto Knights* | $3,165,000 | $3,165,000 | N/A | 2,651 |
| 7. The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie | $1,834,285 | $6,456,412 | 5 | 2,703 |
| 8. The Monkey | $1,548,750 | $37,862,485 | 9 | 1,452 |
| 9. Dog Man | $1,500,000 | $95,631,000 | 8 | 1,766 |
| 10. The Last Supper | $1,335,000 | $5,325,434 | 6 | 1,575 |
Several factors contributed to this lackluster performance. The film was embroiled in controversies ranging from casting decisions to narrative choices. Rachel Zegler’s casting as Snow White faced criticism from traditionalists, and her comments about the original 1937 animated classic sparked debates . Additionally, the reimagining of the seven dwarfs drew scrutiny, notably from actor Peter Dinklage, who criticized the perpetuation of stereotypes . These controversies, coupled with mixed critical reviews, resulted in a 43% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Robert De Niro’s “The Alto Knights,” directed by Barry Levinson, faced an even more dismal opening. The gangster film, which featured De Niro in dual roles, managed to earn only $3 million domestically over its opening weekend . With a production budget of $45 million, this opening is considered a significant flop. The film’s poor performance raises questions about the current appeal of the mafia genre, especially as iconic actors and directors age without clear successors to invigorate the genre.
The underperformance of these two films highlights a broader trend in the film industry. Audiences are increasingly selective, and reliance on established franchises or genres without innovative storytelling may no longer guarantee box office success. The mixed reception of “Snow White” suggests that modernizing classic tales requires a delicate balance to resonate with contemporary viewers without alienating traditional fans. Similarly, “The Alto Knights” underscores the challenges of reviving genres that may have lost their cultural relevance.
The recent box office performances of “Snow White” and “The Alto Knights” serve as a cautionary tale for studios. Investing heavily in projects without aligning with audience expectations can lead to significant financial setbacks. For Disney, the tepid response to “Snow White” suggests that not all animated classics are ripe for live-action adaptation, especially when controversies overshadow the narrative. For films like “The Alto Knights,” it may be time to rethink the appeal of certain genres or find innovative ways to present them to modern audiences.
Do you believe that classic tales should be reimagined for modern audiences, or do such adaptations risk losing the essence of the originals?
