It’s been a tough week for Disney as the studio’s latest live-action adaptation, “Snow White”, continues to struggle at the box office. Despite high expectations, the film is now facing significant setbacks, especially in the United States, where it has lost the number one spot in the charts to Jason Statham’s new thriller, A Working Man.
The box office figures tell a clear story of disappointment. After an already underwhelming opening weekend, Snow White managed to earn just $14.2 million in its second week across the US and Canada—a steep 66% drop compared to the previous week. This brings its domestic total to $66.8 million, with global earnings currently standing at $143.1 million.
For a production of this scale, the results are worrying. According to estimates from the Hollywood Reporter, the film’s production and marketing costs are believed to be around $370 million. At this rate, it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that the film will break even, let alone turn a profit. Hopes now rest on a potential surge in viewership during the upcoming spring break period, though industry insiders are sceptical about whether school holidays will be enough to reverse the film’s fortunes.
Audience reception hasn’t been particularly favourable either. On Rotten Tomatoes, Snow White holds a score of just 41% based on over 230 reviews. Meanwhile, its CinemaScore rating is a B+, a relatively modest score that suggests lukewarm reactions from viewers. Word-of-mouth, usually a helpful tool in boosting long-term box office success, appears unlikely to provide much help this time around.
Nevertheless, the film might benefit from a lack of direct competition in the coming weeks, especially when it comes to the younger female audience. Upcoming releases, such as the new Minecraft film, are not expected to appeal to the same demographic. Additionally, Disney may hope to recover some of the financial losses through streaming, once Snow White arrives on Disney+. However, it remains uncertain how many new subscribers the film could attract on its own.
In stark contrast, Jason Statham’s A Working Man has had a stronger-than-anticipated debut. Written by Rocky legend Sylvester Stallone and directed by David Ayer, known for Suicide Squad, the action thriller has brought in $15.2 million in its US opening weekend—slightly ahead of early forecasts.
The film, produced by Amazon MGM Studios, offers a gritty alternative to Disney’s fairy tale and seems to have resonated more with audiences seeking high-octane entertainment. In Germany, the film has earned approximately €1.3 million since its release, which aligns with expectations for the region. Critical response has been mixed, though; it currently holds a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, not dramatically better than Snow White.
This unexpected shift at the top of the box office highlights the changing preferences of cinema-goers. While Disney has long relied on reimagining its animated classics, the lukewarm reception for Snow White may prompt the studio to reconsider its current strategy. Meanwhile, action-driven films like A Working Man are showing that with the right star power and a solid script, there’s still strong demand for original storytelling in cinemas.
