Introduction

In a surprising turn of events, Disney's latest live-action adaptation of *Snow White*, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has stirred up controversy and sparked discussions regarding its performance in a politically divided America. Nicknamed "Snow Woke" by critics in online circles, the film struggled to gain traction at the box office, raking in only $43 million during its opening weekend against a hefty production budget of $270 million.

Ticket Sales and Demographics

Analysis from EntTelligence indicates an interesting trend in ticket sales: approximately 60% of the film's ticket sales and 56.5% of the attendance—totaling around 3.1 million admissions—came from theaters located in Blue counties. This trend is consistent with the broader movie-going demographic, as 53% of theaters in the U.S. are located in these areas, responsible for nearly 67% of total ticket sales.

Conversely, *Snow White* also managed to make inroads in Red state cinemas, generating 40% of its ticket sales and 43.5% of admissions from these areas. Notably, the film seemed to resonate particularly well with Latino and Hispanic audiences, drawing nearly 30% of its ticket sales from these demographics, compared to 43% from Caucasian viewers. This outcome was unexpected, given the earlier backlash surrounding Zegler's casting as the iconic princess.

Reactions and Representation

Zegler, who publicly defended her role and addressed criticisms regarding her ethnicity, expressed her sentiments on social media, inciting further debate about diversity and representation in Hollywood. Amidst these discussions, there was also scrutiny on Disney's broader Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, especially given the recent political climate and the actions of the current administration.

Box Office Trends and Audience Demographics

EntTelligence’s Chief Strategy Officer, Steve Buck, mentioned that there was no evident "red theater blockade" in response to the film's controversies. He pointed out that theaters in Red counties performed better than expected for a family-oriented animated feature.

Overall, audiences seem to be less interested in classic Disney properties, with only 28% of *Snow White*’s audience being under 13 years old. In contrast, *Barbie*, another recent blockbuster, had a significantly younger audience demographic with 14% under 13 during its opening weekend.

Regional Success and Future Prospects

Despite the mixed reviews and divisive online chatter, it’s important to note that *Snow White* is still seeing varied success across the nation. Interestingly, the highest-grossing screening site for *Snow White* is located in a Red state; the AMC Disney Springs in Lake Buena Vista, Florida has amassed about $135,000 in earnings since its debut.

As we head into the busy spring break period, the potential for *Snow White* to gain some momentum remains—especially if families seek entertainment options that appeal to both parents and children alike. Will Disney's take on the classic tale manage to turn things around? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for further developments in this captivating tale of box office ups and downs!