Rachel Zegler’s Snow White Fades as Minecraft Movie Dominates: A Tale of Box Office and Backlash

In April 2025, Hollywood’s box office landscape tells a stark story: Disney’s live-action Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler, has been thoroughly outshone by A Minecraft Movie, featuring Jack Black and Jason Momoa. While Snow White limps toward a projected $225 million global gross—far below its $350 million budget—A Minecraft Movie has soared to $551 million worldwide, defying expectations for a video game adaptation. Sensational headlines claim Zegler “lost it” over this defeat, painting a picture of a young star unraveling under pressure. But what’s the truth behind these claims? Is Zegler really spiraling, or is this another chapter in the ongoing saga of her vilification? As Snow White drops out of the box office top five, this clash reveals deeper truths about Zegler’s career, Disney’s missteps, and the power of audience sentiment.

Snow White’s Box Office Woes: A Costly Flop

Disney’s Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, was poised to be a cornerstone of the studio’s live-action remake strategy. Starring Zegler as the titular princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the film boasted new songs by Pasek and Paul and a modernized narrative emphasizing Snow White’s leadership over romance. Yet, it opened to a disappointing $42.2 million domestically, dropping 66% to $14.3 million in its second weekend and earning just $5.9 million by its third. As of April 12, its global total stands at $168.3 million, with projections suggesting it may not reach $100 million domestically. With a production budget of $240–270 million (plus marketing), Deadline estimates a $115 million loss after ancillaries, potentially ballooning to $300 million if theatrical performance worsens.

The film’s failure stems from multiple factors. Critics gave it a 40% Rotten Tomatoes score, slamming its lackluster story and CGI dwarfs, though Zegler’s performance earned praise for its vocal strength and charm. Audience backlash, fueled by years of controversy, proved more damaging. Zegler’s 2022 comments calling the 1937 original “weird” and its prince a “stalker” alienated Disney purists, while her casting as a Latina Snow White sparked racist vitriol from conservative fans. Her political posts, including a “free Palestine” tweet in August 2024 and a post-election “f*** Donald Trump” Instagram rant, polarized audiences further, with boycotts amplifying the film’s woes. The film’s 1.6 IMDb rating, among the lowest ever, reflects aggressive review-bombing, encapsulating the “perfect storm” of discontent described on Reddit.

A Minecraft Movie: A Blocky Juggernaut

In contrast, A Minecraft Movie, released April 4, 2025, has been a runaway success. Starring Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, and Jennifer Coolidge, the PG-rated adventure tapped into the massive fanbase of the Minecraft video game, which boasts over 140 million monthly players. The film opened to a staggering $301 million globally, including $157 million domestically, and has since climbed to $551 million, with a second-weekend drop of just 50% compared to Snow White’s 66%. Despite mixed reviews (critics called it “forgettable” but “fun”), its built-in audience and family-friendly appeal have made it a cultural phenomenon, with viral TikTok trends boosting its visibility.

The timing of Minecraft’s release was a death knell for Snow White, which lost 1,210 theaters in its fourth weekend as exhibitors prioritized the new hit. Posts on X capture the sentiment, with users like @Batman_2020 noting that Minecraft “made more money in a week than Snow White has in 3 weeks,” calling Zegler’s film “DOA.” While Minecraft thrives, Snow White’s dwindling screen count signals a theatrical run nearing its end, with hopes now pinned on streaming and home media.

Did Zegler “Lose It”? Examining the Narrative

Headlines screaming that Zegler “lost it” or “broke down” stem largely from YouTube videos posted between April 7–14, 2025, with titles like “Rachel Zegler LOSES IT After Minecraft Movie CRUSHES Snow White At The Box Office!” These claims, echoed on X by accounts like @MrRomyRome, lack concrete evidence, relying on speculation and Zegler’s somber public appearances. A Daily Mail report described her looking “deflated” while walking her goldendoodle Lenny in New York, wearing oversized sweats and a pimple patch, but offered no proof of a meltdown. Similarly, Variety’s report of producer Marc Platt urging her to curb her social media posts suggests frustration, not a breakdown.

Zegler’s actual response has been measured. She attended the opening of George Clooney’s Broadway play Good Night and Good Luck in early April, appearing composed despite the box office fallout. On Instagram, she posted a tribute to Adriana Caselotti, the 1937 Snow White voice actress, signaling respect for Disney’s legacy. During a Good Morning America appearance, she called her casting “the honor of a lifetime,” a pivot from her earlier criticisms. These actions suggest a strategic effort to move past the controversy, not a loss of control. Claims of her “losing it” appear to be clickbait, capitalizing on her role as Hollywood’s latest scapegoat.

The Scapegoat Narrative: Zegler Under Fire

Disney insiders and critics have pinned much of Snow White’s failure on Zegler, a narrative Vanity Fair calls a “backfiring” attempt to deflect broader issues. Jonah Platt, the producer’s son, blamed her “narcissistic” behavior, while Cosmic Book News argued her comments and casting alienated fans. The Daily Mail claimed Disney “didn’t know what to do” with her outspokenness, citing her Palestine posts and tensions with Gadot, a former IDF instructor. This has fueled a vicious cycle: Zegler’s politics and youth make her a target, amplifying the film’s rejection.

Yet, analysts argue the blame is misplaced. David A. Gross of FranchiseRe told Business Insider that mixed reviews, not “wokeness,” sank Snow White, noting Zegler’s performance as a highlight. ScreenRant emphasized her vocal talent, arguing she’s a “serious strength” despite the film’s flaws. Supporters like Melissa Barrera, fired from Scream for similar political posts, called Zegler “cool as hell” for her integrity. Journalist Mark Harris labeled Variety’s coverage a “hit job,” with 50 journalists signing a letter condemning Disney’s apparent campaign against her. Fans on X, like @LibDemGranny, argue she’s been “wronged” by a toxic mix of racism and political bias.

Contextualizing the Failure: Disney’s Broader Struggles

Snow White’s flop isn’t an isolated incident. Disney’s live-action remakes, including Dumbo and Mulan, have faced diminishing returns, with The New Yorker citing creative stagnation. The studio’s aggressive remake strategy, begun with 2010’s Alice in Wonderland, struggles with classics predating 1989’s The Little Mermaid, as audiences crave nostalgia over reinvention. Snow White’s changes—CGI dwarfs, a non-romantic plot—alienated core fans, while its $350 million budget raised the stakes impossibly high. The cancellation of a Tangled remake underscores Disney’s reevaluation of this approach.

Meanwhile, A Minecraft Movie’s success highlights the power of IP with a built-in audience. Its lower budget (estimated at $150 million) and broad appeal contrast sharply with Snow White’s niche controversies. The film’s stars, Black and Momoa, avoided the political lightning rod Zegler became, allowing Minecraft to focus on fun over discourse.

Zegler’s Path Forward: A Career at a Crossroads

Despite Snow White’s failure, Zegler’s talent remains undeniable. Her four musical roles in four years—West Side Story, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Spellbound, and Snow White—cement her as a rising star. ScreenRant predicts she’ll continue thriving in musicals, leveraging her Golden Globe-winning debut. Upcoming projects include a West End Evita revival and a CBeebies Bedtime Story reading, signaling a shift to safer, family-friendly roles.

However, her outspokenness remains a liability. While fans admire her authenticity, critics like Megyn Kelly claim she’s “alienated half the country.” Disney’s reported hiring of a social media specialist to vet her posts suggests an attempt to rein her in. Zegler’s challenge is balancing her principles with Hollywood’s expectations, a tightrope few navigate at 23.

Conclusion: A Tale of Two Films

The Snow White vs. A Minecraft Movie box office battle is less about Zegler “losing it” and more about contrasting fortunes. Snow White’s collapse reflects Disney’s miscalculations and Zegler’s role as a lightning rod for cultural divides. Minecraft’s triumph proves the enduring appeal of uncontroversial, fan-driven IP. Zegler, caught in the crossfire, is neither the villain nor the victim but a young actress navigating an unforgiving industry. As she steps into new roles, her resilience and talent may yet rewrite her story. For now, the box office speaks loudest, and Minecraft’s blocks have buried Snow White’s fairy tale.