Lackluster 'Snow White' debut still provides relief to PH box office

Exhibitors perhaps wished and waited for a film to jolt the box office once again. Enter Disney's Snow White. The Rachel Zegler-led live-action adaptation provided the much-needed relief but on a smaller scale than some may have hoped.

(C) Disney

Snow White opened to ₱49 million during the week of March 19-23, 2025. That's the second biggest opening this year in the country, only behind another Disney-released feature, Captain America: Brave New World ($1.6 million), and ahead of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ($475K). 

However, the opening ranks as one of the lowest for a Disney live-action adaptation. Disney's last princess live-action adaptation, The Little Mermaid, opened to $2.1 million back in 2023. It was also behind Mufasa: The Lion King ($1.1 million) which eventually enjoyed longevity thanks to the Holiday corridor. The film only managed to surpass Dumbo back in 2019, which opened to around ₱37 million ($709,680). 

It's really hard to sell an IP which had its last feature film way back in 1937. Unlike films such as Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid which were beloved 90s and 80s films, Snow White struggled to harness nostalgia. Even in the song catalogue, the film lacks a popular song to easily sell among the general public. It didn't help that both Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot faced criticisms on both ends of the political spectrum. 

Disney's Snow White activation at SM Mall of Asia

Disney, to their credit, didn't give up on this film and allotted resources to drum up excitement. The film still had its local premiere and advanced screenings the weekend before the premiere week which was accompanied by an activation at SM Mall of Asia. 

Another activation at Ayala Triangle Gardens. (C) Disney

They have also brought Maymay Entrata on board to sing the local version of Zegler's new song on the film "Waiting on a Wish." Billboards were also plastered all over Metro Manila - the country's biggest market. 

(C) Disney

Audience reception seems to be chilly in the United States, as suggested by its B+ Cinemascore. Unfortunately, the country does not have a similar metric to use. Nevertheless, this is a decent boost to the market that desperately needs a hit. Exhibitors, thankfully, may not have to wait too long for the next possible hit as films such as My Love Will Make You Disappear (March 26), A Minecraft Movie (April 2), & Sinners (April 19) arrive on the big screen very soon.

Captain America: Brave New World took a dive this given upon the arrival of Snow White. The Marvel film grossed ₱731K ($12,680) this week which is down 85 percent from last week. The Anthony Mackie-led feature has now banked ₱185 million ($3,213,351) in the country. 

For late reports, on the week of March 12-16, 2025, In the Lost Lands added $3,181 for a two-week total of ₱506K ($87,926). The Brutalist, which stars recent Oscar Best Actor winner Adrien Brody, grossed 56K ($988) on its second week for a total of ₱600K ($10,536 ).