Disney’s Snow White (2025): IMDb Rating Crashed

Disney’s latest live-action venture, Snow White, landed in theaters on March 21, 2025, stirring up a whirlwind of opinions before the first frame even flickered. Directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, this musical reimagining of the 1937 animated classic tries to dust off an old tale for a new audience. As a lifelong fan of Disney’s fairy tale legacy, I approached it with cautious optimism—could this Snow White blend nostalgia with fresh ideas? After watching, I’m torn: it’s a visually stunning effort with standout performances, but it’s bogged down by uneven execution and a backlash that’s tanked its IMDb rating to a dismal 2.2/10. Let’s unpack why this film’s a paradox of promise and pitfalls.

Rachel Zegler’s Snow White is the heart of this remake, and she’s a revelation in many ways. Known for West Side Story, Zegler infuses the princess with spunk and resilience, shifting her from a passive figure to a determined leader. This Snow White isn’t just waiting for a prince—she’s rallying the dwarves and dreaming big. Zegler’s voice is a standout, soaring through new songs like “Wishing Well” with a clarity that’s downright enchanting. Her warmth shines in scenes with the dwarves, making their bond feel genuine. Yet, some critics argue her performance lacks the innocence of the original, a critique that’s fueled online debates and contributed to the film’s polarizing reception.

Gal Gadot’s Evil Queen, meanwhile, is a showstopper. Gadot (Wonder Woman) brings a commanding presence, her icy elegance chilling every scene. She’s not just vain—she’s a power-hungry sorceress with layers of menace, especially in her Magic Mirror exchanges (voiced by Ian McShane with haunting gravitas). Gadot’s “All is Fair” is a villainous highlight, even if her singing doesn’t match Zegler’s polish. Her costumes—flowing capes and dark jewel tones—are pure spectacle, amplifying her larger-than-life threat. She’s the film’s ace, though some say her fury feels one-note, a complaint echoed in the harsh reviews dragging down its scores.

Visually, Snow White is a mixed bag of brilliance and blemishes. The enchanted forest glows with golden hues, and the dwarves’ cottage brims with cozy, storybook charm—think mismatched chairs and flickering lanterns. Cinematographer Mandy Walker crafts a painterly look that’s pure Disney magic. But the CGI dwarves—Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy—are a sore spot. Reimagined as expressive digital creations, they’re a bold choice that doesn’t fully land. Their movements can feel stiff, and the uncanny valley effect has irked viewers, fueling online gripes. This visual stumble is a big reason fans are vocal about their disappointment, reflected in the film’s low IMDb rating.

Speaking of that rating—why is Snow White sitting at a brutal 2.2/10 on IMDb? It’s a perfect storm of factors. Pre-release controversies—like Zegler’s comments dismissing the original’s romance as “weird” and debates over the dwarves’ CGI redesign—sparked a backlash. Trolls and disgruntled fans review-bombed it, with over 2,000 votes piling up fast after early screenings. IMDb even hid the score temporarily, suspecting sabotage. Add in mixed critical reception (a 44% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a storyline some call “preachy,” and you’ve got a recipe for a ratings nosedive. Yet, audience scores elsewhere, like a 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, suggest the hate’s louder than the love—not that it’s a masterpiece, but it’s not a total disaster either.

The dwarves themselves get a modern twist, with personalities that pop more than in 1937. Played by a mix of actors (Martin Klebba, Andrew Burnap) and enhanced with CGI, they’re Snow White’s quirky crew, not just comic relief. A scene where they teach her to fight back is a highlight—funny, heartfelt, and empowering. Still, purists miss the old-school charm, and the slapstick drags at times, another nitpick feeding the online vitriol. It’s a shame, because their dynamic with Zegler is one of the film’s strongest threads.

Musically, Snow White swings between highs and lows. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman) craft new tunes alongside classics like “Whistle While You Work.” Zegler’s “Wishing Well” is a gem, capturing Snow White’s hope, but a pop-infused “Heigh-Ho” feels out of place, like a Top 40 track crashed a fairy tale. Alan Menken’s score nods to the original, a comforting thread in a film that’s otherwise all over the map. The soundtrack’s inconsistency—praised for vocals, panned for forgettable hooks—mirrors the movie’s broader reception, with fans split and detractors vocal.

Where Snow White falters most is pacing and focus. At over two hours, it lingers too long on Snow White’s forest escape, leaving the Queen’s showdown rushed. The Prince (Ansu Kabia) is barely a blip—less a romantic lead, more a cameo—which fits the film’s self-reliance angle but feels like a loose end. Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson’s script aims for empowerment, with Snow White’s courage trumping her beauty, but some dialogue clunks with forced modernity. These flaws, amplified by a $270 million budget and a middling $44.3 million opening weekend, have critics and trolls alike sharpening their pitchforks.

The climax—poisoned apple and all—delivers thrills, with Gadot’s dark magic clashing against Zegler’s resolve. It’s predictable but pretty, wrapping up with a tidy bow that’s almost too sweet. Still, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Snow White is caught between honoring its roots and chasing relevance, pleasing neither camp fully. The IMDb rating reflects that discontent, a megaphone for fans who feel Disney’s lost the plot on remakes.

So, is Disney’s Snow White worth it? It’s not the trainwreck its IMDb score screams—Zegler and Gadot shine, and the visuals dazzle when they work. But it’s a flawed fairy tale, tripping over ambition and drowned out by backlash. For every moment of magic, there’s a misstep that’s sparked a firestorm. I’d give it 3/5 stars—a brave try that doesn’t quite stick the landing. If you’re curious, see it for yourself and skip the echo chamber. You might just whistle past the haters.