Disney has released a new 30-second TV spot for its live-action Snow White, marking one month remaining before its release. But instead of highlighting the upcoming film, the short clip leans heavily on the beloved 1937 animated classic, marking a major shift in the Snow White marketing strategy.
A significant portion of the footage is pulled directly from the original, signaling a new marketing strategy aimed at stirring nostalgia and reminding audiences of the timeless fairytale they grew up with. However, this attempt to recapture the magic seems to be falling flat, as viewers recognize the stark contrast between the classic and what the new adaptation appears to be.
In ONE MONTH, return to the magical story that started it all 🍎✨
Experience Disney’s #SnowWhite only in theaters March 21. pic.twitter.com/RAyPgDwFm4
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) February 21, 2025
The decision to rely so heavily on footage from the 1937 version in Snow White marketing materials seems to be Disney’s way of reconnecting with fans who feel alienated by the upcoming remake. It’s a transparent effort to spark emotional attachment to the original, despite clear signs that the live-action film will bear little resemblance to it.
Rachel Zegler, who plays Snow White in the remake, has made it abundantly clear in interviews that this isn’t a traditional love story. She proudly declared that her version of Snow White won’t be “dreaming about true love” but instead focused on “becoming the leader her late father knew she could be.” The new trailers echo this sentiment, featuring scenes like Snow White defiantly staring down soldiers with spears pointed at her—an action-packed departure from the gentle, romantic tone of the original.
Rachel Zegler singing in the Snow White Trailer – YouTube, Disney
The irony of Disney’s nostalgia-driven marketing push isn’t lost on fans. Zegler herself initially made headlines for openly criticizing the 1937 film, calling it outdated and problematic. She famously referred to the prince as a “guy who literally stalks her” and dismissed the film’s values with the comment, “It’s not 1937 anymore, and very evidently so.” Now, Disney appears to be walking a fine line—trying to leverage the love for the original film while promoting a remake that actively distances itself from the source material.
Another noticeable trend in the recent marketing is the shift in focus away from Zegler and onto Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen. In this new spot, Gadot commands the screen, overshadowing Zegler’s Snow White. It seems Disney is banking on Gadot’s star power to draw in audiences, possibly as a response to the ongoing backlash against Zegler. As covered in previous articles, Disney has been gradually reducing Zegler’s presence in trailers, with recent breakdowns showing her screentime has been slashed by nearly 50% in newer promotional materials.
However, the studio won’t be able to hide Zegler for long. Soon the Snow White press tour will begin, and that will see Zegler and her co-stars sitting down with members of the media with a live microphone.
This TV spot failed to impress the audience.
Comments left on X below a video spot for Disney’s Snow White – X, @DisneyStudios
The comment section of Disney’s post on X was filled with negative comments, trolling the House of Mouse and its repeated attempts at making this work.
“I’d rather experience a colonoscopy without anesthesia than watch Tanned Brat and the Seven Monstrosities. Thanks,” one user wrote.
“Should release the original in theaters at the same time and see which one sells more tix,” another said.
“I made my plans months ago to make sure I will miss this,” another user replied.
The comments go on and on and on, with Disney trying to hide some of the more incendiary opposition. Many replies to this trailer simply said “No.”
Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action SNOW WHITE. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The studio’s decision to shift marketing strategies comes amid mounting concerns over the film’s commercial prospects. Early box office projections suggest that Snow White will open to a modest $63-$70 million domestically, a significant decline compared to Disney’s previous live-action remakes. With a production budget rumored to be around $300 million—ballooned by multiple reshoots—these projections spell trouble for the film’s bottom line. In contrast, past Disney remakes like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast each opened to well over $150 million and eventually crossed the $1 billion mark globally. Snow White looks unlikely to replicate that success.
Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Disney’s live-action SNOW WHITE. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Public reception of the film has been overwhelmingly negative. Trailers and sneak peeks have been met with massive dislike ratios on YouTube, and even a Christmas Day special look featuring Zegler’s performance of “Waiting on a Wish” failed to gain traction. Instead, it was flooded with negative comments and poor engagement. Fans have also criticized the handling of the Seven Dwarfs, where Disney originally planned to cast actors with dwarfism but reversed course, eventually opting for fully CGI characters that were widely panned for their appearance.
As the March 21 release date approaches, Disney’s promotional efforts seem increasingly desperate. Leaning on nostalgia from the original film while simultaneously promoting a radically different remake has only added to the confusion and frustration among fans. With ongoing controversies, disappointing box office projections, and negative audience sentiment, it’s possible that no amount of classic footage will be enough to save Snow White from becoming one of Disney’s most troubled releases to date.
How do you feel about this shift in Snow White marketing? Sound off in the comments below and let us know!
You may think that this shows the gullibility of the woke, but let me point out how they thought Biden was as sharp as a tack.
It’s unwise for them to both of them side by side. It only reminds everyone how superior the original version was.
This. I don’t know who thought this was a good idea because it’s only making the remake look even worse.
Don’t hate watch this.
Giving this the bunny 🐰 stamp of approval. Do not hatewatch.
Right on.
No worries there my man.
This is a Hail Mary play on Disney’s part. Unfortunately for them it’s not going to work. The public has already spoken and most of them are just ignoring this film now. It’s not going to be a spectacular, flashy flop. It’s going be a quiet flop that just comes and goes with no fanfare. That’s actually worse because it means nobody cares anymore.
No matter how much you polish. And polish. And polish a turd…….
Just about every character has been race-swapped from Bavarian to actresses ethnically connected to central America or to Isreal, or to Africa. This is cultural appropriation of (historical) Bavaria. In addition, the movie is feminist and anti-family propaganda. This wokism is the real reason this movie will tank. The obnoxious actress is a secondary factor. Even if she’d been civil, the movie would still be a colossal failure.
If the movie had an all-white cast (Bavarians are white) and followed the plot, ideals, and ethics of the original Snow White, then the movie would have been insanely popular and loved.
This is the tragedy of Disney. We are deprived of great movies, and so watch the old movies, instead. It’s a disaster, a DEIsaster. DEI is code for Not You, Whitey.
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