So, Disney’s new live-action Snow White is finally in theaters. And, let’s just say it hasn’t exactly been a box office smash. Let’s break down all the changes that actually made it into the final cut.
Warning! Spoilers ahead.
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Snow White got a deeper backstory in the Disney movie
Even before the new movie came out, the cast and crew made it pretty clear they were making some big changes, so anyone expecting a straight-up remake of the classic was in for a surprise.
“The original cartoon came out in 1937, and very evidently so,” said Rachel Zegler, who plays Snow White. “There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird. So we didn’t do that this time.” So, instead of the dreamy, lovestruck princess from the original, this version of Snow White was going to be more of a “fearless leader.”
We actually see the kingdom
Back in the 1930s, Disney animation was, well… pretty basic. So with this live-action remake, the filmmakers made sure to use all the modern visual effects and set designs they could.
This time around, we actually get to see the kingdom—not just hints of it in the background. It shows up in full detail during both the opening and closing musical numbers, giving a better look at how the villagers live their daily lives.
The Evil Queen’s end got a bit of a makeover
In the original, all we really know is that Snow White was stuck scrubbing floors for her evil stepmom. That’s about it. But this version actually gives her more of a past.
We see that her parents weren’t just rulers—they were good ones. But things took a turn when Snow White’s mom passed away, giving the Evil Queen the perfect opening to swoop in and take over.
Snow White… But make it revolutionary
Snow White has always been the sweet, kind-hearted princess, but this remake takes that kindness and cranks it up big time.
Instead of just hanging out in the woods waiting for a prince, this Snow White is on a mission. With the dwarfs and a group of bandits backing her up, she’s set on reclaiming her parents’ kingdom and bringing peace back to the people.
The song ‘Whistle While You Work’ is different
Remember that classic Whistle While You Work scene in the original? Well, it’s a little different this time around.
In the live-action version, it’s not just her singing solo while the animals help out. Instead, the song turns into a full-on group number with Snow White and the dwarfs all working together to tidy up.
Some songs are removed, and new ones are added
Yes, Heigh-Ho and Whistle While You Work are still in the movie (though with a few lyric changes), but Disney didn’t stop there—they threw in some brand-new songs, too.
But while some songs were added, others were completely cut. I’m Wishing/One Song and Someday My Prince Will Come didn’t make the final cut.
The prince is now a bandit
Instead of the classic fairytale prince, this version swaps him out for a forest bandit, played by Andrew Burnap. Unlike the original, where the prince barely shows up, Jonathan actually gets a decent amount of screen time. He meets Snow White early on, then crosses paths with her again later in the woods.
And yes, they do fall in love.
The glass coffin got replaced
That classic image of Snow White lying in a glass coffin, of course, got switched up.
In this version, after she eats the poisoned apple, the dwarfs don’t place her in a glass case. Instead, they lay her on a rock in the woods and set up an open tent around her.
Dopey now talks… and he’s the narrator!
In the original, Dopey was totally silent. But in this version, he’s voiced by Broadway star Andrew Barth Feldman, Dopey actually talks—which probably caught a lot of fans off guard.
Turns out, Snow White helps him find his confidence, and by the end of the movie, we learn that he’s been the narrator this whole time.
