Is Disney’s New "Snow White" Politically Correct?

Disney’s 2025 remake of Snow White walks a tricky tightrope: stay true to the original, while updating it for a generation far removed from the 1937 classic. But does it succeed in reimagining a beloved fairytale—or just stumble under the weight of nostalgia and controversy?

From the start, Rachel Zegler's casting and outspoken take on the original film’s outdated gender dynamics stirred social media debate. She wasn’t wrong in saying the classic story needed a makeover. Nor was Peter Dinklage, who criticized the continued portrayal of the dwarves, a part of the story Disney seems hesitant to leave behind completely.

The film tries to balance reverence with revision. While the evil Queen (Gal Gadot) remains a core villain, and the poisoned apple plot is intact, this version trades the waiting-for-a-prince trope for something (slightly) more progressive. Snow White’s love interest, Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), is a roguish bandit in the spirit of Tangled’s Flynn Rider, offering a relationship that feels more mutual—though it still leans heavily on old fairy-tale mechanics, like the “true love’s kiss.”

One major creative swing comes from the reimagining of Dopey. Once a silent comic relief character, Dopey now has a voice—literally. Revealed as the film’s narrator, he finds the courage to speak through Snow White’s kindness. It's a thoughtful, if slightly jarring, transformation.

Visually, however, the dwarves (though never called that in the film) are presented in hyper-realistic CG that many viewers found off-putting. And while new musical numbers are sprinkled throughout—some penned by celebrated songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul—none quite reach the emotional or melodic heights of the original songs.

One of the more notable additions is the inclusion of a band of theatrical performers and would-be revolutionaries who support Jonathan and fight in honor of Snow White’s late father. This subplot injects a layer of political and emotional depth, aiming to frame Snow White not just as a damsel escaping danger, but as a young woman inspired by legacy and purpose. These characters help nudge her toward leadership and bravery, offering an ensemble dynamic that breaks away from the isolated, domestic journey of the original. It’s a clear attempt to modernize her arc, giving her more agency—but whether it enriches the story or simply pads it out is up for debate.

Ultimately, Snow White (2025) feels like a movie afraid to take full risks. It wants to modernize without alienating fans of the original, but in trying to do both, it lands in a creative gray area. While the film adds depth in places, it also retains many of the same structures and tropes it claims to revise.

The Bottom Line: Snow White (2025) is a step forward in some ways—but it’s also a reminder of how tricky it is to modernize nostalgia without losing what made the original resonate. For creators and marketers alike, it’s a case study in storytelling evolution and the cultural minefields of reboots.

UPDATE: Snow White in its first weekend at the box office made $43 million in USA and $44 million International for $87 million total worldwide.

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Source: Hollywood Reporter

Photo Credit: Disney