Disney’s live-action remakes of animated classics have often been a huge cash cow, but recent developments show that even the magic of Disney is no guarantee of success. The studio’s latest setback, following the disappointing performance of Snow White at the box office, has led Disney to put the brakes on its live-action remake of Tangled, the 2010 hit inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Rapunzel.
Multiple entertainment outlets, including The Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, and Deadline, reported that the decision to halt the project came after Snow White failed to capture audience interest. Despite the film’s hefty production costs—around $270 million—the movie has struggled at the box office, grossing just $69 million domestically and $145 million worldwide. With such a significant loss, Disney has reportedly decided to rethink its future plans for live-action adaptations.
The Tangled remake had been in active development, with The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey attached to the project. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, known for her work on Thor: Love and Thunder, was tapped to pen the script. The movie was in pre-production, and meetings with potential stars were already underway when the plug was pulled.
However, Snow White’s box office woes weren’t the only contributing factor to the decision. The remake of the beloved 1937 animated classic had been mired in controversy from the start. The portrayal of the iconic seven dwarves drew intense backlash, and Rachel Zegler, who was cast as Snow White, sparked outrage from critics on the right due to her social media posts, which often targeted certain political figures. Additionally, a well-publicized rift between Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot over their differing political views further distracted from the film’s promotion.
While Snow White struggled both with critics and audiences—earning a lukewarm B+ on Cinemascore—the Tangled remake had initially seemed like a safer bet. The original animated movie, which starred Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, was a major success, grossing nearly $600 million worldwide. With a strong fanbase and beloved characters, a live-action retelling of Tangled was widely expected to generate similar success.
Disney’s strategy of re-imagining animated classics in live-action had previously proven financially successful, with films like The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin raking in over $1 billion each at the global box office. However, not every remake has been a hit. Films like Dumbo and Pete’s Dragon failed to make the same impact, leading some to question whether the trend is starting to lose steam.
The pause on Tangled isn’t the end of Disney’s live-action endeavors, however. The studio still has two highly anticipated projects on the horizon. Lilo & Stitch, a remake of the 2002 animated classic, is set to hit theaters on May 23. Early buzz for the film has been positive, with the trailer becoming the second-most-viewed Disney live-action trailer of all time. Disney fans can also look forward to a live-action version of Moana next summer. With Moana 2 recently grossing over $1 billion globally, Disney is hoping that the upcoming film can reignite interest in their live-action remakes.
For now, Disney’s pause on Tangled suggests that even the most iconic stories aren’t immune to the unpredictability of the box office. While live-action remakes have become a staple for Disney, it seems that the studio is taking a more cautious approach following the disappointing results of Snow White. Whether or not other planned remakes will follow the same fate remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Disney will have to be strategic about which classics they bring to life next.
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