Disney’s latest live-action remake, ‘Snow White,’ premiered recently, and early reactions are rolling in from folks who got a first look. With Rachel Zegler stepping into the iconic princess role, the film has been a hot topic long before its release on March 21, 2025.

Directed by Marc Webb, this musical fantasy reimagines the 1937 animated classic, bringing new songs and a modern twist to the tale. We’ve gathered some initial thoughts from viewers, and they’re buzzing with praise for the star, the visuals, and the fresh energy breathed into this old story.

Katcy Stephan shared her excitement, calling Rachel Zegler a standout in the film. ‘Rachel Zegler is a shining supernova in #SnowWhite, beautifully embodying the graceful, gentle nature of the OG Disney princess,’ she said.

She went on to describe the movie as a treat for the eyes, packed with dazzling musical numbers and a bunch of cute animated animals. What caught her attention most was how the script gives Snow White a deeper purpose—her drive to lead, inspired by her father’s faith in her, paired with a love story that’s simple and sweet.

Rachel Zegler is a shining supernova in #SnowWhite, beautifully embodying the graceful, gentle nature of the OG Disney princess. It’s a visual feast with show-stopping new musical numbers and, of course, dozens of enchanting animated animals. The screenplay wisely gives its… pic.twitter.com/yQ4euqIzLu

— Katcy Stephan (@katcystephan) March 16, 2025

Skyler Shuler admitted he had doubts going in, but those melted away fast. ‘Listen, I was worried, but let me tell you Snow White is PURE DISNEY MAGIC!’ he exclaimed. He’s bold enough to predict this could top the list of Disney’s live-action remakes for a lot of people. With a history of covering Disney projects, Shuler’s take hints at the film hitting that nostalgic sweet spot while still feeling new and exciting.

Listen, I was worried, but let me tell you Snow White is PURE DISNEY MAGIC!

This will end up being a lot of people’s favorite live-action remake. pic.twitter.com/o9SRPIircu

— Skyler Shuler (@SkylerShuler) March 16, 2025

The princess herself, Rachel Zegler, got high marks from Brigerton too. ‘Rachel Zegler was born to play a princess. Her voice is unreal, and her screen presence is unmatched. This #SnowWhite is gonna be next level,’ they said. Zegler, known for her breakout role in ‘West Side Story,’ brings a voice that’s already won her praise, and it seems her charm on screen is just as strong here. It’s clear her talent is a big part of what’s lifting this remake up.

Rachel Zegler was born to play a princess. Her voice is unreal, and her screen presence is unmatched. This #SnowWhite is gonna be next level pic.twitter.com/mdkX9uA8NN

— Brigerton (@Brigerton22) March 16, 2025

Ash Crossan found plenty to like, even if not everything was perfect. ‘Despite the bob being all over the place, #SnowWhite is quite charming! The message lands well, the critters are adorable, and Rachel Zegler and her enchanting voice are stunning. It almost got a full tear out of me, and I’ve never cried in my entire life,’ she shared. The bob—likely Zegler’s haircut—might be a distraction, but the heart of the movie, from its cute creatures to its emotional pull, still won her over.

Despite the bob being all over the place, #SnowWhite is quite charming! The message lands well, the critters are adorable, and Rachel Zegler and her enchanting voice are stunning. It almost got a full tear out of me, and I’ve never cried in my entire life. pic.twitter.com/l1M8jwL1Gx

— Ash Crossan (@AshCrossan) March 16, 2025

This isn’t just another retelling. The film mixes the classic fairy tale with new elements, like songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the duo behind ‘La La Land.’ Gal Gadot plays the Evil Queen, adding her own flair with singing and dancing—something the original villain didn’t do.

After a rocky road of delays from the 2023 strikes and some pre-release debates, ‘Snow White’ seems to be winning over its first viewers with a blend of old-school Disney vibes and a fresh spin. I’m curious to see if it’ll hold up when it hits theaters wide!

A Premiere Packed with Promise

The road to Snow White’s premiere has been anything but smooth. From production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic to fiery controversies over casting and narrative changes, the film has weathered a storm of scrutiny. Rachel Zegler’s casting as a Latina Snow White sparked both racist backlash and progressive applause, while her comments about updating the “dated” original—ditching the prince’s rescue for a focus on leadership—drew ire from traditionalists. Add in Peter Dinklage’s critique of the dwarfs’ depiction and Gal Gadot’s polarizing pro-Israel stance, and the film became an internet punching bag long before a frame was screened. Yet, Disney pressed on, banking on director Marc Webb’s vision, new songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a reported $269 million budget to win over audiences.

The Los Angeles premiere, though scaled back from Disney’s usual red-carpet extravaganzas—excluding most press amid the controversies—still buzzed with anticipation. As attendees filed out and took to X and other platforms, their reactions began to mirror the polarized predictions that had swirled for months. Critics and fans who’d tracked the film’s journey weren’t surprised: the feedback was a near-perfect echo of what trailers, leaks, and debates had telegraphed.

The Predicted Praise: Zegler Shines, Visuals Dazzle

One consistent thread in the pre-release buzz was the expectation that Rachel Zegler would steal the show. Known for her breakout role in West Side Story and her Golden Globe-winning turn in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Zegler was pegged as a vocal and emotional powerhouse. The first reactions didn’t disappoint. “Rachel Zegler is a shining supernova in #SnowWhite, beautifully embodying the graceful, gentle nature of the OG Disney princess,” one critic gushed on X, a sentiment echoed across posts. Another called her “stunning,” praising her rendition of classics like “Whistle While You Work” alongside new tracks like “Waiting on a Wish.” Her performance, it seems, lived up to the hype as the beating heart of this remake.

The film’s visual palette and musical numbers also hit the mark many had anticipated. Early trailers promised a “sumptuous and vibrant” aesthetic, and attendees confirmed it. “A visual feast with show-stopping new musical numbers,” one reaction read, highlighting the CGI dwarfs and animated animals that pepper the forest scenes. Critics who’d predicted “pure Disney magic” found their forecasts validated, with one noting, “This will end up being a lot of people’s favorite live-action remake.” The addition of an opening number, a villain song for Gadot, and a grand finale—all crafted by Pasek and Paul—fulfilled expectations of a Broadway-worthy spectacle, a point Disney had heavily teased in marketing.

Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen, too, met the bar set by her Wonder Woman pedigree. “Gal Gadot had beautiful gowns and a commanding presence,” one viewer wrote, aligning with predictions that she’d bring a regal menace to the role. For those who’d foreseen a film leaning hard into its stars and production values, Snow White delivered exactly as advertised.

The Expected Divide: Modern Updates Split the Room

But not all reactions were glowing—and that, too, was foreseen. The film’s modern tweaks, championed by Zegler as a reimagining of Snow White as a leader rather than a damsel, had long been a flashpoint. Traditionalists, including David Hand (son of the 1937 film’s director), had decried these changes as a “disgrace” to Walt Disney’s legacy, predicting fan backlash. Sure enough, the premiere reactions bore this out. “Disney’s remake of Snow White is mostly successful, but the girl-boss angle feels forced,” one attendee posted, a backhanded compliment that mirrored pre-release skepticism from “anti-woke” corners of X and conservative outlets like the Daily Wire.

The CGI dwarfs—replacing live actors after Dinklage’s critique—also drew the expected flak. While some praised their charm (“adorable and seamless”), others echoed earlier trailer critiques, calling them “poorly executed” or “a step back from the original’s heart.” This split was no shock; months of online debates had primed audiences to either embrace or reject these updates, and the premiere simply crystallized those camps. One X user summed it up: “If you loved the trailer, you’ll love this. If you hated it, nothing’s changed.”

Box Office Bets: A Modest Hit in Line with Forecasts

Beyond the art, the business side of Snow White was equally predictable. Early box office projections from Quorum and Deadline pegged the film at a $63-70 million domestic opening—a solid but not stellar haul for a $673 million break-even point (factoring in production and marketing). Analysts had long tempered expectations, noting the downward trend of Disney’s live-action remakes post-The Lion King (2019), with films like Dumbo and Pinocchio underperforming. The premiere reactions reinforced this: while families and Zegler fans seemed sold, the broader audience remained lukewarm, suggesting a theatrical run more akin to Maleficent’s $69.4 million debut than Beauty and the Beast’s $174 million blowout.

Posts on X reflected this cautious optimism. “A joyous premiere for a delightful film! I can’t wait for the world to see this special movie!” one enthused, hinting at word-of-mouth potential. Yet others, wary of the controversies, predicted a streaming afterlife on Disney+ might outshine its cinema stint, much like Horizon found its legs on Max. This duality—modest theatrical success, bolstered by Zegler’s star power—tracked with pre-release chatter that Snow White wouldn’t flop but wouldn’t soar either.

The Cultural Echo Chamber: Controversy’s Lasting Shadow

Perhaps the most striking prediction to hold true is the film’s inescapable ties to its controversies. Zegler’s past remarks about the original’s “creepy stalker” prince and Gadot’s geopolitical stance loomed over the premiere, just as they had in the buildup. While some lauded Snow White as a “non-violent, anti-fascist hero,” others on X snarked, “Still can’t unhear Zegler trashing the classic.” The scaled-back premiere itself—held at a remote Spanish castle with limited press—had been flagged as a sign of Disney’s nervousness, and reactions bore out that tension. “Despite becoming an internet punching bag, it’s mostly successful,” one critic noted, a nod to the baggage Snow White can’t shake.

This cultural tug-of-war was the one outcome no one doubted. From racist attacks on Zegler to dwarf depiction debates, the film’s journey had been a Rorschach test for modern Hollywood—progressive triumph or pandering misstep? The premiere didn’t resolve that; it amplified it, as expected.

A Mirror Held Up to Disney

At 1500 words, this snapshot of Snow White’s first reactions reveals a film living up to its preordained fate. Zegler dazzles, the visuals enchant, and the updates divide—just as the tea leaves foretold. For Disney, it’s a mixed victory: a critical win with asterisks, a box office bet that won’t collapse but won’t redefine the genre. As it rolls out globally on March 21, the question lingers: Will these predictable reactions evolve, or has Snow White already shown us its true face? In a world where every frame’s been dissected before the credits roll, perhaps the real magic is that it’s here at all—mirroring, as always, the passions and fractures of its audience.