Disney’s “Snow White” has begun what is expected to be a stormy run at the box office with $3.5 million from Thursday preview screenings from 4,200 theaters.
The latest remake is projected for a $45-50 million opening weekend similar to the $45.9 million start of the 2019 remake of “Dumbo,” which earned $2.8 million in previews. Last year’s March family film, Universal/DreamWorks’ “Kung Fu Panda 4,” earned a $58 million opening after $3.8 million in previews.
With a $250 million-plus production budget before marketing, “Snow White” faces a very uphill road to turning a theatrical profit. Reviews are mixed with a 46% Rotten Tomatoes score, so much stronger word-of-mouth from families whose kids will be out on spring/Easter break in the coming weeks will be essential.
Also opening this weekend is Warner Bros.’ “The Alto Knights,” a mobster film starring Robert De Niro and directed by Barry Levinson. The film is likely to flame out quickly at the box office, with projections of an opening weekend of less than $5 million and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 39%.
