News

Michael Sheen and Eva Longoria are teaming up for family holiday comedy “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

The film — from Keal Productions and Fulwell Entertainment — is being directed by BAFTA nominee Ben Gregor and written by Ta d Safran, based on the bestselling novel “The 12 Topsy-Turvy Very Messy Days of Christmas,” co-written by bestselling author James Patterson and Safran.

Protagonist Pictures are launching sales in Cannes.

In “The 12 Days of Christmas,” it’s mid-December and for the fifth year in a row, Christmas is cancelled at the dysfunctional Sullivan family home. That is until a mysterious someone starts sending strange gifts to hopeless widower Henry (Sheen) and his two bickering children, Will and Ella. First, a partridge in a pear tree, the next day two turtle doves are sent, followed by three calling birds on day three. Before they know it, the house is full of boisterous animals and house guests,...

Freeform has announced that it will once again host a “30 Days of Disney” block in June 2025. Fans can watch Disney and Pixar content daily on the network.

Here is the schedule.

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

June 1

8:05 Pm -Elemental

June 2

5 Pm -Inside Out

9 Pm – Beauty and the Beast (1991)

June 3

9 Pm -The Little Mermaid (1989)

June 4

4:25 Pm -A Bug’s Life

6:30 Pm -Finding Nemo / Double Feature

June 5

4:40 Pm The Incredibles / Double Feature

June 6

5 Pm -The Emperor’s New Groove

6:55 Pm -Aladdin (1992)

June 7

3:40 Pm -Luca

8:15 Pm -The Little Mermaid (2023)

June 8

2 Pm -Turning Red

6:20 Pm -Encanto

June 9

8:30 Pm Cinderella (2015)

June 10

12:55 Pm Cars /Triple Feature

June 11

4:25 Pm -Brave

June 12

8:30 Pm -Coco

June 13

3:35 Pm -The Princess Diaries / Double Feature...

Disney's Snow White was the studio's latest attempt to turn its beloved animated fairy tales into live-action versions. The House of Mouse previously had massive success with titles like 2015's Cinderella, 2017's Beauty and the Beast, and even 2023's The Little Mermaid, but the live-action adaptation of the first Disney Princess wasn't a hit.

Based on the 1937 animated hit Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first animated film produced in the U.S., and Disney's first title. Based on the 1812 German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, Snow White is one of the most recognizable Disney Princesses, but her popularity didn't translate into the new adaptation starring Rachel Zegler as the titular princess. According to Deadline, Snow White is officially heading to digital platforms on May 13 after a disastrous box office run.

Alongside its debut on digital platforms on May 13, Disney has also confirmed the date for its physical release.

Exclusive: Neon is gearing up to begin production in May on Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo, with Takashi Miike set to direct. The thriller will star Shun Oguri, Lily James, and WWE star Liv Morgan (Gionna Daddio).

The film will be a U.S.-Japan co-production, produced by Jeremy Thomas for Recorded Picture Company, Sam Pressman for Pressman Film, Naoaki Kitajima for Nippon TV and Misako Saka for Olm. Executive producers include Tom Quinn, Yuzo Kuwahara, Tetsu Fujimura, Paula Paizes, Alainée Kent, Peter Watson, Ivan Kelava, Max Loeb and Mike Apgar. The deal was negotiated by Neon’s Sarah Colvin, VP of Acquisitions, and Paula Paizes from Pressman Film and Recorded Picture Company’s Ivan Kelava on behalf of the filmmakers.

Neon will release the film theatrically in North America and represent the international sales rights in Cannes this month.

Disney's Snow White remake starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot had its fair share of controversy. Following a series of successful live-action versions of the Disney animated fairy tales, Snow White was a complete disappointment, both critically and commercially.

The film's controversy dates to its early days, as Disney received backlash over Zegler's casting as the titular character, and its problems have continued since. The movie received poor reviews from the critics and is a long way from making a profit. However, Disney's Snow White made one last effort and reached its final milestone as it surpassed $200 million worldwide, per The Numbers.

The new adaptation is based on the 1937 animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The story follows the journey of the first Disney princess to save herself after the Evil Queen asked a hunter to kill her after the Magic Mirror told her she was prettier than her.

Live-Action as Legacy, Not Just Trend

Disney is diving deep into its vault — not just to play the nostalgia card, but to reshape the cultural memory of a new generation. Remakes like 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame', 'Lilo & Stitch', 'Robin Hood', and the recently announced 'Moana' (with Catherine Laga'aia and The Rock Dwayne Johnson) signal more than emotional throwbacks.

Alright, let’s be honest — live-action films lately haven’t exactly been outstanding. And I think there’s more to it than just budget issues. Especially when we’re talking about Disney — these films are anything but low-budget.

Disney isn't just a content creator — it's a cultural gatekeeper. When you hear "Disney," you think of childhood, legacy, and iconic characters that defined eras: 'The Lion King', 'Cinderella', and 'Beauty and the Beast'.

So the question becomes: What stories get retold,...

Okay, so let’s get one thing straight: Hayao Miyazaki is a legend. The man behind Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and pretty much every Ghibli masterpiece you’ve cried to at 2 a.m. Yeah, that same guy. So, of course, people are like, “Let’s reduce his greatness to words by relating him to another person who is just as legendary.”

Like, “He’s like the Walt Disney of Japan!” And Miyazaki’s reaction? Basically: “Ugh, please stop.” Let’s dive into why Miyazaki wants nothing to do with that comparison and who he looks up to from the Disney team (spoiler: it’s not Walt).

Why being called ‘The Disney of Japan’ kinda annoys Hayao Miyazaki

In an interview, when someone actually asked Hayao Miyazaki about how he felt about the title ‘The Disney of Japan’, he didn’t hold back. Miyazaki responded:

Walt Disney is a producer,...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you are a horror fan, then there is a big chance that you might have heard about the horror streaming service Shudder, and if you have its subscription, you might be wondering what’s in store for you in May 2025. Don’t worry. There is a host of new and old horror movies coming to the service in the upcoming month, and we have listed the 11 best movies coming to Shudder in May 2025.

Overlord (May 1)

Overlord is an alternate history action horror film directed by Julius Avery from a screenplay co-written by Billy Ray and Mark L. Smith. The 2018 film is set in an alternate 1940s, towards the end of World War II, and it revolves around a group of American paratroopers on a mission to destroy a German radio tower. They soon find themselves in a...

Disney's live-action remakes have been far from consistent in terms of quality, but all signs point to Lilo & Stitch being more akin to The Jungle Book or Cinderella than disappointing efforts like Snow White and Pinocchio.

Based on the trailers, Lilo & Stitch will be another very faithful adaptation, but this version of the 2002 animated classic will seemingly expand the story.

Thanks to the AMC Theaters website (via Toonado.com), we now know that Lilo & Stitch will have a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. That's 25% longer than the original movie's 85-minute runtime, and while it's yet to be officially confirmed, this change is what we've come to expect from these remakes.

Early box office tracking points to Lilo & Stitch grossing over $100 million over Memorial Day weekend. That means it will earn more than Snow White's entire domestic haul in just three days.

Making this feat even more...

A new stage musical adaptation of the popular 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You is being developed for Broadway, with Carly Rae Jepsen and Ethan Gruska collaborating on the score and Lena Dunham and Jessica Huang at work on the book.

Two-time Tony winners Christopher Wheeldon will handle direction and choreography with Tom Kitt (Next To Normal) on music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations. Mike Bosner will produce.

10 Things I Hate About You is a retelling of William Shakespeare’s 1594 play The Taming of the Shrew, and the film launched the careers of Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, showcasing a breakout performance by Alison Janney. The film became a generational touchstone with its keen insight into 1990s teen life as seen in a Seattle suburb.

Casting and a production timeline for the musical was not announced.

Jepsen launched a major music career with her 2012 hit “Call Me Maybe.

Most of Hollywood's biggest talents are known by their faces. However, a notable few are beloved for their voice. In the often underappreciated art of voice acting, a host of otherwise unrecognizable names have helped define pop culture institutions and inspire generations of viewers by lending their vocals to characters we all know and love. From Homer Simpson to SpongeBob SquarePants, the voice actor is a foundational part of the entertainment ecosystem, yet they rarely see the same spotlight that live-action stars receive almost daily.

In rectification of that, let's recognize a who's who of voice acting legends by counting down the best voice actors of all time. As you can imagine, the specific rankings in this list are arbitrary, as all of these folks are exceptionally talented and largely for the same reasons. There are also plenty of folks we don't have the digital real estate to include, so...

Norwegian director Emilie Blichfeldt upends audience expectations in a feature debut that’s hyper-aware of the origin story’s sexual and patriarchal imagery

Norwegian director Emilie Blichfeldt makes her feature debut with an ingenious revisionist body-horror version of Cinderella, lavishly costumed and designed. There are twists in the style of David Cronenberg and Walerian Borowczyk, with (maybe inevitably) echoes of Carrie and Alien. In one scene, there could even be a nod to Picnic at Hanging Rock.

Cynical widow Rebekka (Ane Dahl Torp) remarries a well-heeled widower somewhere in 18th-century central Europe; he then makes her a widow for the second time by fatally gorging on cake at the wedding breakfast. As a result, Rebekka is left financially embarrassed with her plain daughter Elvira (Lea Myren), Elvira’s kid sister Alma (Flo Fagerli) and a new stepdaughter Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Naess), a beautiful young woman who haughtily resents the ugly Elvira.

Just like most global entertainment industries, South Korean shows and movies take advantage of built-in fan bases surrounding popular musical artists. K-pop stars have branched into acting through K-dramas (South Korean television programming of any genre) for years to varying levels of success. There are plenty of shows elevated by the presence of K-pop idols transitioning into acting, with some of greatest K-dramas of all time prominently featuring these fan-favorite personalities. Whether it's memorable supporting roles or jumping center stage as a series lead, these musicians-turned-actors quickly proved themselves as cross-industry talent.

To be clear, the shows included on this list are K-dramas only, even as K-pop idols begin appearing in Hollywood production in increasing numbers. With that in mind, as good as Blackpink's Lisa is in "The White Lotus," that doesn't qualify for inclusion here. Similarly, the shows listed here are good on their own merits, not necessarily...

The first volume of fairy tales that the Brothers Grimm penned together was completely ill-suited for children. Apart from containing overt sexual elements (along with themes of abuse and incest), some stories, like “Hans Dumm,” framed an act of sexual assault as a ghastly wish-fulfillment trope. Thankfully, “Hans Dumm” was removed in its entirety in later editions, which were also heavily sanitized until they morphed into the child-friendly versions we’re currently familiar with. However, these stories still carry vestiges of these age-inappropriate themes, embedded into the heart of characters who turn to some form of violence to express human folly.

“Cinderella” is no different, as it essentially equates beauty with goodness of heart, while contextualizing the absence of (traditional) beauty in the stepsisters by casting them in a morally reprehensible mold. The original Grimm folio of “Cinderella” takes this sentiment further by making the evil stepsisters cut off their...

Note: This review was originally published as part of our 2025 Sundance coverage. The Ugly Stepsister opens in theaters on April 18.

If the disheartening lack of creativity in Disney’s live-action remakes leaves one thinking these timeless stories have, in fact, run their course, leave it to Norwegian director Emilie Blichfeldt to find new life (and blood) with the Cinderella tale. Her impressively mounted, darkly macabre first feature follows Elvira living in the shadow of her stepsister Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Naess) as they vie for the attention of the Prince (Isac Calmroth). A twisted body horror take on the classic tale for how it explores the costs of beauty, The Ugly Stepsister is not afraid to dive into the unflinchingly gruesome while packing an impressive sense of empathy.

Drawing from the Brothers Grimm incarnation (a darker approach complete with self-mutilation) Blichfeldt sets her debut apart from the recent cash-grab horror...

Plot: Elvira (Lea Myren) has one all-consuming obsession: to win the affection of her kingdom’s handsome prince and live happily ever after. Yet, she lives in the shadow of her beautiful step-sister, Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss), who seems fated for the happy ending she’s always dreamed of. But, in a kingdom where beauty is prized above all things, Elvira will get what she wants, no matter what…

Review: The Ugly Stepsister is the gruesome, body horror Cinderella reimagining you never knew you wanted. Given the many variations on the classic tale, it’s incredible to think that we’ve never gotten a hard-r-rated flick in the vein of The Brothers Grimm’s version of the story. Let’s not forget that the take on Cinderella ends with the evil stepsisters mutilating their feet to fit into Cinderella’s slipper. Director Emilie Blichfeldt conjures up a version that...

In the marketing material of the Nordic horror movie The Ugly Stepsister, the first thing you see is “Bridgerton meets The Substance.” There is no better way to describe this body horror that, underneath all the gore, reflects the remarkable reality of beauty standards. If you can tell by the title (somehow it didn’t strike me), the film turns the fairy tale Cinderella around by giving us the point of view of the “ugly” stepsister. All Elvira has ever dreamed of is to marry the weak-kneed virgin, Prince Julian. When her mother remarries, Elvira and her family move into the home of her new stepdad, which they’ll be sharing with the most beautiful stepsister. But, on the very day of the marriage, her stepdad dies, and the ladies are left with nothing, because the man was broke and not the rich dream Elvira’s mom imagined he was.

Editor’s note: This review was originally published during the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. “The Ugly Stepsister” opens in theaters Friday, April 18.

It’s tough times out there for a feminist body horror fairy tale in a newly post-“Substance” filmmaking world. Coralie Fargeat’s gory parable of the abyss of self-loathing at the center of women’s society-stoked quest for beauty upped the stakes in terms of the genre’s potential cultural reach.

But female genre directors have been responding to impossible, often body-contorting standards of beauty for decades. Enter Norwegian filmmaker Emilie Blichfeldt, who makes her gruesome entrée into that movement with her playfully grotesque feature debut “The Ugly Stepsister.” One character’s name being Sophie von Kronenberg in this stylized gothic retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ spin on Cinderella should offer enough portent for where the film is heading in all its nose-breaking, flesh-eating, tapeworm-infested grandeur.

“The Ugly Stepsister...

Dearest Gentle Reader, it has come to this author’s most discerning attention that while the eldest Bridgerton son carried the burdens of title, tragedy, and torrid tension, his brothers were merely rehearsing their tales of romantic unrest.

One cannot help but observe: Anthony Bridgerton walked through fire (and gardens) so that Benedict might wallow in bohemian angst and Colin could perfect the art of pining. While one wrestled with duty and desire, the others dabbled in daydreams and devotion.

Kate Sharma with Viscount Anthony Bridgerton | Credit: Netflix

Make no mistake – without the Viscount’s stormy season, the younger Bridgertons would’ve naught but scandal-free seasons and terribly dull storylines.

How Anthony’s intense romance set the stage for Benedict and Colin’s journeys

Anthony Bridgerton didn’t just fall in love with Kate Sharma, he carried the weight of a whole dynasty on his back while doing it. In...

Emmy-nominated actress Lily James is the “Global Ambassador’ for ‘Only Natural Diamonds’, “…celebrating the magnificence of natural diamonds, their timelessness and rarity. Heirlooms to treasure, now and forever…”:

James is noted for her role as 'Lady Rose Aldridge' in the ITV period drama "Downton Abbey"...

...followed by the lead in the feature "Cinderella" (2015).

After numerous roles including "Mama Mia" and "Baby Driver", she starred in "Pam & Tommy".

Her first features included "Wrath of the Titans", "Fast Girls"…

…and playing 'Countess Natasha Rostova' in the BBC historical drama TV series "War & Peace".

Click the images to enlarge...

Stars: Kelly Rian Sanson, Chrissie Wunna, Lauren Budd, Natasha Tosini, Danielle Scott, Sam Barrett, Charlotte Jackson Coleman, Peter Watson, Sam Byrne | Written by Harry Boxley | Directed by Louisa Warren

By the time the blood had dried and the final scream had echoed into silence, I found myself asking not whether Cinderella’s Curse was a good film in the traditional sense but whether it had succeeded on its own unapologetically twisted terms. Directed by Louisa Warren, a filmmaker known for her work in the indie horror underground through her production company Champ Dog Films, this grotesque reimagining of the beloved fairy tale is more slasher flick than a storybook fable. It’s messy, ambitious, wildly uneven… and strangely compelling.

I went in expecting kitschy horror, and Warren delivers that in spades. But she also attempts something bolder: to peel away the glossiness of Disney’s Cinderella and expose the raw, often brutal origins of the tale.

The Ton has its fair share of curious mamas, but none quite like Lady Violet Bridgerton. She’s the heart of the Bridgerton family, the steady anchor holding them all together. A widow who deeply loved her late husband, Viscount Edmund Bridgerton. She has spent years managing life at a grand estate and raising eight children.

Sure, the Bridgertons never had to worry about money, but Violet always dreamed of a home filled with love, not just luxury. And while she did have that with Edmund, it was heartbreakingly short-lived. In the years since, her focus has been her children, marrying them off, guiding them through life, and being the mother they’ve always needed.

Little Violet Bridgerton in the Netflix Show Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story | Credits: Shondaland/Netflix

But now, as her children begin finding their own love stories, Violet is starting to ask, what about her next chapter?...

There's always something fascinating about the phenomenon of late-stage sequels. Filmmakers will sometimes wait decades after a film is released to make a follow-up, which only proves that the original has either retained its cultural clout or somehow gained more traction in the mass consciousness over time. It's easy to see why, in 1985, Walter Murch decided to make a sequel to 1939's "The Wizard of Oz" called "Return to Oz." It had been about 46 years since the original had been released, but "The Wizard of Oz" had — and has — remained one of the most famous movies of all time. A sequel would merely tap into the perpetual affection American audiences have for the film.

And, of course, some long-in-the-tooth sequels are merely a matter of timing, interest, and commitment. Why were there over ten years between "Toy Story 2" (1999) and "Toy Story 3" (2010)? No other reason than that the studio was working on other things.

Shakespeare’s most famous lovebirds are hitting the high notes- literally! Romeo and Juliet are getting a musical makeover, and it’s got lit lovers and movie fans singing with excitement.

Verona’s Romeo & Juliet is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing adaptations of the Bard’s work in recent years, with a contemporary twist and original pop music promising to breathe new life into the classic tragedy.

Still from Verona’s Romeo & Juliet | Credits: Briarcliff Entertainment

This bold reimagining takes the beloved story we all studied in high school and transforms it into something fresh and exciting for today’s audiences. With an impressive cast, stunning Italian locations, and a musical approach that ditches the traditional iambic pentameter for catchy pop tunes, this film is looking to redefine how we experience this iconic love story.

Let’s dive into everything we know about this exciting upcoming...

IMDb, the world's most popular movie database, has issued a rare warning to those viewing the page for Disney's live-action Snow White. The site has flagged "unusual voting activity".

Snow White's ratings page on IMDb features a warning at the top that reads "Unusual activity: Our rating mechanism has detected unusual voting activity on this title", alerting readers of potential review-bombing. At the time of writing, the IMDb rating for the live-action Snow White is 1.6/10, with over 302,000 ratings logged. 91.3% are for one star.

The Rachel Zegler-led remake of Walt Disney's first animated feature film has been mired in controversy even before it hit theaters. From Zegler's comments criticizing the 1937 film to Disney's decision to re-imagine the Seven Dwarfs as CGI characters, the film has easily been the most polarizing of Disney's recent slew of live-action retellings.

Image via IMDb

Even after Snow White hit theaters, more controversies have ensued,...

If there is one thing that Bridgerton is good at, it is excusing the toxic behavior of its characters. Many moments in the three seasons of the series have showcased characters doing something morally wrong and then getting away with it. The perfect example of this would be what Daphne did when she found out that Simon was lying to her.

However, there is another character that seems to slip under the radar when it comes to her bad behavior. Although Eloise is the most modern character in the series, she is also one of the most flawed. One could argue that this makes her all the more relatable. At the same time, one aspect of her friendship with Penelope showcases exactly why she needs a reality check.

Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne and Claudia Jessie as Eloise in Bridgerton | Credit: Netflix Bridgerton’s most painful breakup

A big percentage of...

Tangled is one of the most popular and beloved recent Disney movies. Which naturally led to a need for a live-action version.

Disney is known for its beloved animated Disney Princesses, which include both classic characters like Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, and Ariel, but also newcomers like Merida, Tiana, Moana, Raya, and Rapunzel. The latter got her own movie with the beloved 2010 animation Tangled. Disney was already working on developing a live-action version, but, per The Hollywood Reporter, the plans for the live-action Tangled are now paused amid its Snow White headaches.

There were conversations about the adaptation, but Disney confirmed the Tangled live-action remake in December 2024. Michael Gracey, who helmed critically acclaimed productions like The Greatest Showman and the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, was in talks to direct. Jennifer Kayton Robinson, who helms the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer legacy sequel, wrote the draft for the script.

Luke Thompson’s Benedict Bridgerton has waited long and hard. For three seasons, audiences have been sitting on the edge of their seats, hoping to get more than just the breadcrumbs of their favorite character. Although the third book is about his love story with Sophie Beckett, the third season was instead given to Colin, and his love story was set aside yet again.

However, now that fans know that the fourth season will be his, they cannot help but wonder about what the story will entail. With so many questions that can be easily answered by picking up the book, what is a gentle viewer to do but wait?

A still from Bridgerton | Credit: Netflix

Thankfully, Thompson is finally here to answer all of their queries, and the fourth season could not sound more intriguing.

Luke Thompson is coming back strong

Luke Thompson’s Benedict Bridgerton has watched his...

Ugoku! Neko Mukashibanashi (“Moving! Cat Folk Tales”) , an upcoming web anime based on the four-panel manga by pandania that re-imagines classic folk tales and fairy tales with cats as the protagonists, has revealed its main staff as well as a piece of teaser art. At the time of this reporting, the release date for the series has not yet been revealed. Related: Neko Mukashibanashi 4-panel Manga Gets Web Anime Adaptation Kazumi Nonaka directs the web anime at Studio Comet. Kenichi Yamashita provides the series composition and Narumi Shimoji provides the character designs. Neko Mukashibanashi is a laid-back manga that asks the question: “What if cats appeared in that story?” From Cinderella to Ikkyu-san to Momotaro, the manga explores fairy tales and folk tales both modern and ancient from all over the world, with a funny new feline perspective. Source: Official Ugoku! Neko Mukashibanashi web anime home page...

Chicago – When I heard of the passing of actor Richard Chamberlain on March 29th, 2025, I immediately flashed back to our interview in 2010. It was the first comprehensive celebrity interview in my career, and it was a whirlwind of show biz history and reveals. And Joe Arce took Exclusive Portraits of him then and in 2017.

Richard Chamberlain was born in Beverly Hills, attended Pomona College and served in the U.S. Army in the late 1950s. He was a founding member of the Los Angeles theater group “Company of Angels,” and started doing guest roles in various television shows.

A Florid Career: Richard Chamberlain in 2010

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

His breakthrough came in 1961, when he portrayed Dr. James Kildare in the popular series “Dr. Kildare,” which catapulted him into superstar status for the time. This led to a smaller but successful singing career – his rendition of the “Theme from Dr.

My Happy Marriage is arguably one of the finest shojo series that is highly slept on. No one likes damsels in distress and overused tropes, and that is valid. But most people overlook the intricacies and subtle details present in the story. It most certainly goes beyond the rinse-and-repeat tropes.

This also has to do with how romance is portrayed in the series. The subtle yet slow-burn intimacy hooks both readers and viewers for the most part. Then comes the much-awaited confession scene that takes it to a whole new level. But this one is quite out of the ordinary and has its charm and appeal.

Miyo breaks down in front of Kiyoka | Credit: Kinema Citrus

In other words, there’s a scene so poetic yet beautiful that it has its fanbase. It redefined the whole idea of love confessions and declarations through allegories and metaphors. But on the whole,...

Even before Disney's newest film, the live-action Snow White, came out in theaters, it was plagued with criticism. Now, Pedro Pascal is the latest person to join the conversation.

Snow White's controversies started with Rachel Zegler's casting. The Latina actress was not exactly what people had in mind for a live version of Snow White, who is described to be fair-skinned. She later got backlash for some of her remarks about the 1937 original animated film, and she's now blamed for the film's box office shortcomings, and Pedro Pascal has just shown his support for Zegler on his Instagram.

The Last of Us actor has been very outspoken about his political views and often shows that through his social media accounts. In the latest instance, Pascal decided to join the conversation about Zegler. On Mar. 30, Pascal shared a photo of the West Side Story actress on his Instagram Stories,...

[Editor’s note: this list was originally published in May 2023. It has since been updated to include new Disney remakes, including “Snow White.”]

To quote one of the best sitcoms ever: “Did you just double-dip that chip?”

If George Constanza was a real person — and the opinions of “Seinfeld” characters had any bearing on major movie slates — Disney CEO Bob Iger would be forced to answer in the affirmative some 20 times over thanks to his company’s buffet of CGI-laden remakes, sequels, and spin-offs. The entertainment giant has spat out scads of these so-called “revivals” of its animated classics in recent years, with critics routinely pointing out the bottom line motivating the mostly mediocre trend.

And yet, no matter how poor the reception, the Disney live-action revisits just keep coming. In 2025, fans were treated to “Snow White,” a remake of the company’s groundbreaking original film that bombed at the box office and (because no bad film can just be a bad film anymore) was at the center of intense right-wing blowback.

Quick LinksMulan (2020) Stripped Away Everything Fans Loved About the OriginalMulan Was a Remake in Name OnlyWhy Snow White Will Fare Better Than Mulan

Snow Whiteis finally in theaters--and it already isn't looking good for the troubled project. A remake of the 1937 animated classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney's latest live-action offering has become the hottest issue in Hollywood. The film has been at the center of endless controversy, with audiences taking jabs at stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot in particular. After years of bad press and angry clickbait videos, it was all Snow White could do to finally eek its way into theaters, where it debuted to low critical scores and unimpressive box office numbers.

It's no secret that Snow White was doomed to fail; the controversy surrounding the new movie was simply too intense for it to be anything but a disaster for Disney. Unfortunately, the...

From Snow White to Cinderella, the cinematic world has seen many retellings of these fairy tales over the years. Many of these tales, like Sleeping Beauty and Hansel and Gretel, crossed themselves to the horror genre with a mix of fantasy. One such film from the 80s doesn't just retell the tale of Little Red Riding Hood but turns the classic bedtime story into a dark, haunting and unforgettable cinematic experience. Neil Jordan's The Company of Wolves, rather than showing a colorful, happy fairytale, confronts the darker aspects of desire and fear. The film plunges the audience into its subconscious, revealing the unsettling truths hidden beneath the surface. Even 41 years later, this British fantasy film stands as one of the greatest gothic tales ever told in cinema.

The Company of Wolves is a screen adaptation of British author Angela Carter's 1979 short story of the same name. Carter, who...

More drudgery at the spring break box office. Five — count ’em, five — wide releases are going this weekend in 1,000-plus theaters. None of them of will be able to put Disney’s embattled Snow White to sleep, with the live-action take on the Disney 1937 toon doing hopefully around $20M in Weekend 2, -53%. The princess who connects with birds and Bambis will have a hold that’s on par to live-action reimaginings of old Disney toons Maleficent and Cinderella, both of which eased by 48%. Snow White remains the fairest with a mix of Imax and PLFs. She’ll be sharing Imax with another Princess — Princess Mononoke.

Unless something magical happens for Jenna Ortega, Rachel Zegler will have bragging rights for No. 1. The Wednesday actress’ R-rated A24 horror movie Death of a Unicorn, starring Paul Rudd, won’t be able to budget past $5M-$7M at 3,000 sites. That’s far below Ortega’s past two Scream movies,...

A viral screenshot making the rounds on March 21, 2025, claimed Vogue published a piece titled: “Disney Confirms Russian Troll Farms At Heart of Bad Snow White Opening Weekend.” It looked legit. It named an author, Abraham Kohen. It even had the Vogue layout. But here’s the thing: it’s 100% fake. There is no such article. It never existed.

The Claim and the Clickbait

The image started circulating just days after Disney’s Snow White remake opened to a lukewarm $43 million domestic debut. According to the viral post, Vogue ran a story accusing Russian troll farms of tanking the movie’s box office. Some folks ran with it. After all, the movie’s been in the culture war crosshairs for months, so blaming foreign interference probably didn’t seem that wild.

But the screenshot? Fabricated. And the author, Abraham Kohen? Doesn’t exist in Vogue‘s contributor list.

Fact Check: Confirmed...

The Cat Returns is regarded as one of Studio Ghibli's more underrated films and actually shares a deep connection to Disney's Cinderella. The Cat Returns is a fantasy isekai anime which follows a young girl protagonist named Haru, who accidentally lands herself in the crosshairs of the strange and conniving Cat King of the Cat Kingdom. The Cat Returns is also a rare Studio Ghibli spinoff film, as the studio is not known for producing spinoffs, prequels, or sequels to their stories.

Haru's story incorporates many different fairy tale motifs. Not only is this a common style of storytelling for fantasy films and children's media, but it's also a popular choice for Studio Ghibli creations. As is always the case for Studio Ghibli films, the chosen fairy tale motifs in The Cat Returns are clever, thoughtful, cohesive, and they analyze fairy tales from a few different angles.

Haru Becomes...

These remakes didn’t just cash in on nostalgia—they brought fresh energy, great casting, and real movie magic to some of Disney’s biggest animated classics.

I’m planning to see Disney’s new “Snow White” remake in theaters this week, and it got me thinking about all the other times Disney has tried to bring its animated classics into the real world. Some of these live-action remakes just kind of came and went, but a few really stuck the landing. Whether it was the casting, the music, or just a fresh spin that actually worked, there are definitely standouts. So, here’s my list of the top 7 live-action Disney remakes that managed to capture the real magic of a great movie.

Top 7 live-action Disney remakes on streaming right now

No. 7: ‘Aladdin’

No. 6: ‘101 Dalmatians’

No. 5: ‘Cinderella’

No. 4: ‘Maleficent’

No. 3: ‘Cruella’

No. 2: ‘The Jungle Book’

No.

Can we have one day when people act normally toward Rachel Zegler? Just one? No? Okay. I guess we're doing this.

In the wake of Disney's live-action "Snow White" remake debuting with a less-than-ideal performance at the box office, the Loud and Wrong Online Society have returned with pitchforks and poisoned apples to place the blame squarely on the shoulders of a promising young actress who is, as of publication, too young to legally rent a car on her own. Yes, the failure of "Snow White" is apparently not the result of decisions made by the leadership committees and creative teams of a multi-billion dollar entertainment machine, but due to the individual actions and public perception of an actress who is so young that when she was plucked from obscurity after replying to casting call posts on Twitter for Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" (her debut feature released less...

Quick LinksSnow White Picks Up Where Movies Like Aladdin Left OffThis Trend Extends Beyond Live Action Adaptations

Disney's live-action adaptation of Snow White hit theaters on March 21, 2025, and, perhaps unsurprisingly, the reviews are polarizing. Many critics cite Snow White (2025) as "pure Disney magic," while others have pointed out the issues with the CGI, questioned the casting choices, and wondered why the movie took so long to get to the point. It's safe to say that this movie has a lot of ups and downs, but the most important aspect of this movie is how it continues a popular and important trend.

Disney has built a legacy on the backs of princesses who need to be rescued by a knight in shining armor or a prince. While fans still love classic Disney fairytales, many of the classic Disney tropes feel outdated. Fortunately, Disney has already shifted the narrative to give more...

Sure, headlines are calling its launch "a fiasco" and suggesting its underwhelming box office is "in bomb terrority," but there's a case to be made that Disney’s embattled Snow White could be among next year’s Oscar nominees.

Call us Dopey if you must. However, there are several Oscar-winning and -nominated artisans involved in the film's production. Without the consultation of the mirror, here’s the fairest case for the live-action Snow White with Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot to land some awards recognition next year.

Best Costume Design

Sandy Powell is one of the most-decorated costume designers of all time, with 15 Oscar nominations and three wins — and she has notably already received Oscar nominations for her previous Disney live-action movies: 2015’s Cinderella and 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns. This is also a category where the live-action Disney remakes have historically performed exceptionally well: Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast,...

When an actress makes her debut with a music video sung by Bollywood’s renowned singer Madhushree, and when the video is directed, choreographed and Production by the famous dance director Shabina Khan, it couldn’t be a better start to her career! We are talking about actress Ridhima Pai, whose first song, “Mujhpe Tera Fitoor”, has been released on the Rdc Melodies channel. Produced by Priya Talwar, this romantic song is receiving immense appreciation. The grand music video’s overwhelming response has left Ridhima Pai thrilled and excited. Presented by Risers Production, the song’s lyrics and music are composed by Prini Siddhant Madhav.

The song launch event in Mumbai was graced by Ridhima Pai, Madhushree, producer Priya Talwar, Siddhant Madhav, Durgaram from Rdc Melodies, and the male vocalists of the Hindi and Tamil versions, Mandar Sabnis ,Roby Badal and Mansi Dovhal, among other esteemed guests.

Ridhima Pai celebrated...

It was yet another disappointing weekend at the box office in 2025. We're coming off of a rough stretch in March that has seen movies misfire left and right, with "Novocaine" and "Black Bag" having recently led the worst weekend of the year so far. All eyes then turned to Disney to hopefully save the day with its live-action remake of "Snow White," which stars Rachel Zegler ("West Side Story") and Gal Gadot ("Wonder Woman"). Sorry to say, this was not like the Disney remakes of the 2010s that did gangbusters business. Rather, it's a full-blown bomb.

Director Marc Webb's "Snow White" opened to an estimated $43 million domestically, coming in well below projections that had it debuting in the $50 million range. To be clear, even that wouldn't have been great for a movie with a production budget north of $250 million. Disney needed this to be a smash hit. To make matters worse,...

Hey there, Disney fans! The House of Mouse just launched another one of their live-action remakes, but things aren’t looking as magical as they’d hoped. Disney’s lavish adaptation of Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has just hit theaters with some pretty mixed results at the box office.

While it did snag the weekend’s top spot, there’s definitely some nail-biting happening in Disney’s executive suites right now.

Rachel Zegler in Snow White (2025) | Credits: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Although the fantasy flick pulled in substantially less than anticipated for its opening weekend, domestically and internationally, it still raked in millions. That might sound impressive on the surface, but when you’re Disney, and you’ve poured an enormous sum into production, falling short of your global launch target is definitely cause for concern. Let’s dig into what’s happening with this fairest-of-them-all remake.

Disney has done a great deal of work in unifying its streaming offerings on one app, but is it losing something important in the process?

Disney’s streaming ambitions are plain to see. The company has done a huge amount of work to unify its streaming properties into a single app, one that could ideally someday challenge Netflix, or at the very least, cement itself as the No. 2 streaming provider in the world. But as Disney rushes to consolidate its content on the Disney+ app, it’s worth exploring whether or not the company is sacrificing the family-friendly experience that has become so synonymous with its brand for decades.

Key Details: Disney+ officially rolled out Hulu content around a year ago. ESPN+ content, including some UFC events followed in late 2024. The changes mean that content with extreme violence and other adult themes is now shown alongside Disney classics. Sign Up Now $9.99+ / month disneyplus.

There’s magic in every one of us, or so Disney wants to make us believe. For years, the studio has been behind some of our favorite animated movies, from Dumbo – remember him?

The elephant with the big ears – to Lady and the Tramp – who could possibly forget those two – and of course, their iconic princesses.

In recent times, Disney has devoted more time and energy to bringing these magical stories, and the songs that accompany them, alive on the big screen as live-action adaptations.

Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty – *cough cough Maleficent – The Little Mermaid, Aladdin – or should we say Princess Jasmine – Mulan, and now, Snow White.

Moana live-action is reportedly in the works, and I heard something about the Princess and the Frog. Is that still a thing?

Anyway, with the amount of criticisms and media storm that ‘Snow White’ has faced and well, the film hitting theaters this week,...

Worldwide box office: March 21-23 Rank Film (distributor) 3-day (world) Cume (world) 3-day (int’l) Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Snow White(Disney) $87.3m $87.3m $44.3m $44.3m 52 2. Ne Zha 2(various) $15.4m $2.10bn $15.2m $2.08bn 9 3. Mickey 17(Warner Bros) $12m $110.0m $8.1m $69.8m 70 4. Black Bag(Universal) $7.4m $24.1m $3.9m $9.2m 43 5. Captain America: Brave New World(Disney) $7.2m $400.8m $3.1m $208.7m 53 6. Novocaine(Paramount) $6.3m $21.1m $2.5m $5.3m 53 7. The Alto Knights(Warner Bros) $5.1m $5.1m $1.9m $1.9m 9 8. Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy(various) $3.3m $126.5m $3.3m $126.5m 76 9. The Monkey(various) $3.3m $65.1m $1.7m $27.2m 61 10. Paddington In Peru(Sony) $3.1m $190.1m $1.8m $146.4m 52

Credit: Comscore.

The following reveals spoilers for Snow White, now playing in theaters.

The 2025 remake of Snow White has arrived amid an unusual amount of ire for a Disney live-action adaptation. The company has been delivering similar projects for decades, and while few of them can match the power of their animated predecessors, their financial success is unquestioned. Most criticisms against them are legitimate but mild, and in a post-streaming entertainment era, everything gets recycled sooner or later. Snow White feels different, however. The 1937 animated version is one of cinema's enduring classics, the first feature-length animated motion picture ever made and an unquestioned work of art.

The remake, while better than its harshest critics suggest, suffers from too many deep and abiding flaws to stand up to the comparison. Critics needn't go back to the 1930s to find a better film to compare it to. The new Snow White patterns many of...

A new report suggests that despite the loud voices on the internet seemingly pulling Snow White into a cultural war, general audiences didn't seem to careas the movie seemed to perform evenly across the country in Red and Blue-leaning cities. For over four years, most of the discourse about Snow White has not been about the actual movie itself but behind the scenes. While the internet certainly makes this a big deal, one must remember that online discourse does not always translate to the real world.

In a report published by Deadline, box office analytics company EntTelligence revealed that despite a seeming conservative-based backlash to Snow White, the movie overperformed in Red County-based cinemas compared to other films, with 40% ticket sales and43.5% admissions. The report did indicate that 60% of ticket sales for Snow White and 56.5% of the film's total attendance (3.1 million admissions) came from theaters in Blue counties. However, it...