Disney’s Live-Action Snow White Could Be Its Most Expensive Remake Yet

Disney is going all out for its upcoming live-action Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler as the iconic princess and Gal Gadot as the envious Evil Queen.

According to a new report from Variety, the reimagining of Disney’s 1937 animated classic is coming with a whopping $240 million price tag for production alone, potentially making it one of the priciest live-action adaptations in Disney history when factoring in marketing and distribution.

The staggering budget puts Snow White in the same league as 2023’s The Little Mermaid, which also carried a reported $240 million budget. Despite decent box office returns of $569 million globally, The Little Mermaid fell short of the $600 million mark it would need to break even under Hollywood’s 2.5-times-budget rule. For Snow White, the stakes are even higher as it aims to reach a similar break-even point or risk becoming another costly gamble.

The numbers only grow more mind-boggling when you compare Snow White to Disney’s previous remakes. 2017’s Beauty and the Beast came in at $255 million, while 2019’s photorealistic The Lion King remake cost $260 million, making it Disney’s most expensive to date. Yet, The Lion King roared past expectations, grossing $1.65 billion globally and delivering a net profit of $580 million, according to Deadline.

But not every Disney remake has been a guaranteed hit. Movies like 2020’s Mulan ($200 million) and 2022’s Pinocchio ($150 million) struggled to justify their budgets. Even 2019’s Dumbo, made for a relatively modest $170 million, floundered with only $353 million at the box office.

Filmed across Vancouver and Los Angeles in 2022, Snow White reportedly underwent significant reshoots earlier this year, adding to its already hefty price tag. Directed by Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man) and written by Greta Gerwig (Barbie) and Erin Cressida Wilson (The Girl on the Train), the musical will feature all-new original songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman). Producers Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff are banking on the fresh creative team to breathe new life into the beloved tale.

Disney’s live-action renaissance has certainly delivered some massive hits, including 2010’s Alice in Wonderland ($1 billion worldwide) and 2019’s Aladdin ($1.05 billion globally). However, a live-action remake hasn’t crossed the $600 million mark since the pre-pandemic era of The Lion King and Aladdin.

With Snow White set to hit theaters on March 21, 2025, following Mufasa: The Lion King on December 20, the pressure is on for Disney to reignite that billion-dollar magic. The studio is also working on a live-action Lilo & Stitch slated for May 2025 and a Moana remake starring Dwayne Johnson as Maui, further signaling its commitment to bringing animated classics to life.