Some have brushed off Disney’s live action reimagining of their animated classics as unnecessary, lacking in originality and fresh storytelling. Well no one told the creators of Snow White who have delivered what may be their best live action adaptation to date. With a magical and riveting fairy tale, catchy and soaring ballads and a princess perfect performance from Rachel Zegler, Snow White is an utter Disney delight, the fairest Disney live action remake of them all.

 

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom on the edge of a magical forest. Following the queen’s untimely death, the king remarries, and while Snow White’s new stepmother is graced with poise and beauty, she has an evil heart and despises her new stepdaughter. Before long, the Evil Queen has assumed leadership of the kingdom, manifesting her cruel nature. And when her magic mirror reveals that Snow White is the fairest in all the land, she is furious, and quickly devises a scheme to get rid of the princess. 

 

The original 1937 Snow White has a brisk one hour and twenty odd minute runtime with a pretty simple narrative structure. The 2025 version builds on the classic rendition of the Grimm fairy tale, adding a depth to the story and to the character development of not only Snow White but the Evil Queen and Jonathan, the Prince Charming-like character that feels like shades of Tangled’s Flynn Rider in the best kinda way. This adds a richness to the tale while never losing its charming and nostalgic feel. 

 

And at its heart Snow White is a fairy tale for families filled with the kind of magic and wonder that only Disney can deliver. While there are a couple of renditions of songs from the original, songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman) deliver the best original Disney songs in decades from Good Things Grow to Waiting on a Wish and Princess Problems. Expect to have to head out and grab the soundtrack for this one. 

 

Rachel Zegler is the heart and soul of Snow White, embodying the grit and grace of a modern day princess with a singing voice that just absolutely soars - goosebump inducing stuff. Gal Gadot is superb as the Evil Queen perfectly capturing her dastardly obsession to be the fairest one of all. 

 

When it comes to family movies in the end it doesn’t really matter what I, a thirty eight year old dude thinks. For this one I took our three year old daughter, all dressed up as Snow White of course, along with her fifteen and nine year old cousins. All three of them absolutely loved it, singing along to the soundtrack all the way home. I hope that in some small way, they too will take after this modern day Snow White and be fearless, fair, brave, and true. 

​

With a magical and riveting fairy tale, catchy and soaring ballads and a princess perfect performance from Rachel Zegler, Snow White is an utter Disney delight, the fairest Disney live action remake of them all.