A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES: THE MANY ‘SNOW WHITE’ MOVIES
Controversy is again circling not just another film, but also reignited as its opening approaches. We are speaking of the new live-action version of Snow White. First controversy circles this one because its lead star seemed to downplay the iconic story she was stepping into. Most recently because Disney is excluding some of the original film’s most iconic songs. Regardless of controversy, I have to confess, I’m still curious to see the film, but as it is one making headlines, I thought it’d be fun to look at some of the different versions of Snow White adaptations that we already have in the world. Some of which I hope are also lesser known!
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A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES: THE MANY ‘SNOW WHITE’ MOVIES. A list of the various #SnowWhite adaptations from the years. #RachelZegler #LilyCollins #Disney #Fairytale Share on XThe iconic story has darker origins, and originates (according to Internet trivia which I often doubt) from the Grimm brother’s novel collection “Grimms’ Fairy Tales, numbered as Tale 53.” It was first published in 1812 and revised as a final version in 1854. Key elements of this story include a magic mirror, an apple with poison and of course the characters of an Evil (and Envious!) Queen as well as those lovely seven dwarfs. Like many of the Disney princess movies, the 1937 animated Disney flick would have us believe it’s not quite as dark as the Grimm fairy tale. That version is all about cute little blue birds and a happy heroine. Even with the dark queen, who is unquestionably a villain, the animated movie still has many happy moments.
Let us meet some of the variations on this story through the years.
SNOW WHITE ADAPTATIONS
SNOW WHITE, 1937
Not sure if this is the one that “started it all” (although I don’t think I’ve found any with an earlier date), but I think it is safe to say that this Disney animated film is the one that inspired it all or put this character on the map. The film is colorful and sweet, although there is, much like almost any “early days” Disney film, darkness here too. You have the evil, and perhaps less talked about, jealous stepmum, but you also have so much light in Snow.
Stream, at publication, with Disney+; or digitally purchase or rent on Prime Video
SNOW WHITE: FAIREST OF THEM ALL, 2001
This is a TV adaptation that has popular television star Kristin Kruek steps into the role. I saw this years ago, but don’t ask me to remember specifics because I won’t be able to. I think it is kind of a miniseries like story that also has Miranda Richardson in a role and at one time aired on Hallmark Channel.
Search for a DVD copy on places like Amazon
SYDNEY WHITE, 2007
Perhaps not the best of the Snow White adaptations, this is a modern fairy tale where Amanda Bynes stars in this film about a college bound freshman who ends up rooming with a group of misfits (who end up representing the iconic fairy tales favorite seven) and follows her helping them find their niche in college. It’s a silly comedy that entertains.
Digitally purchase or rent on places like Prime Video
ONCE UPON A TIME, 2011
This isn’t exclusively about Snow White, but one could argue she IS a main character which every other fairy tale flows through. The ABC show, which ended after some of its core cast (and therefore characters) left, follows a group of fairytale character living in the “real world” who don’t really know they are from another world. Jennifer Morrison’s Emma Swan is the character who shows up after the visit from the son she gave up years ago, little realizing the impact of her presence.
A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES: THE MANY ‘SNOW WHITE’ MOVIES. A list of the various #SnowWhite adaptations from the years. #RachelZegler #LilyCollins #Disney #Fairytale Share on X
Stream, at publication, on places like Disney+ or Hulu; digitally rent or purchase on Prime Video
GRIMM’S SNOW WHITE, 2012
A version from 2012, I know nothing about this one, but I’m assuming it tries to follow the original story perhaps more. However, it’s promotion seems pretty cheerful. It’s lead is Eliza Bennet who some of us may recognize from Nanny McPhee.
Stream, at publication, on places like Peacock, Plex, Starz or Tubi; digitally rent or purchase on Prime Video
MIRROR MIRROR, 2012
Colorful and delightful, this one was made the same year as Snow White and the Huntsman, but is its opposite in every way. This one is goofy and silly and trains its heroine in swordplay. It also has a charming friendship between Snow and the core seven, and has a cute little romance, too. (Although I think Prince Charming could have been more heroic without costing Snow her moment.) Plus, Julia Roberts seems to have a great deal of fun with the queen role.
Stream, at publication, on places like Peacock, Starz or Tubi; digitally rent or purchase on Prime Video
SNOW WHITE and the HUNTSMAN, 2012
A kind of dark action flick, Kristen Stewart stars as Snow White, a girl ill treated by a queen, and Chris Hemsworth as the titular hero. The film is entertaining but it’s certainly not the more girly and charming fairy tale we see in this genre.
Digitally purchase or rent on places like Prime Video
SNOW WHITE, 2025
Plagued by controversy not just with social media user pushback, but also with its two lead stars being on opposite “sides” of a conflict, this is the newest adaptation of Snow White, and the title to inspire this list. In this version, Rachel Zegler stars as the titular character in a role that is said to be nothing like the 1937 adaptation. Also starring is Gal Gadot, one of the biggest stars currently in films. The film looks pretty and the costuming seems to pay homage to the Disney original, so we’ll see how the studio does at honoring that and creating a kind of unique live action adaptation.
The film opens in theaters March 21
Photos: Alamy
Which of these have you seen any of these Snow White adaptations? Which ones do you like most? How many did we neglect to mention? Comment all of your thoughts below. Let’s talk.
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Snow White has never interested me that much. I saw the first one of course.. and then maybe the Huntsman.. can’t recall. I this watch a few seasons of Once Upon a Time as well.. but none of the other ones and doubt I’ll be watching this one either. I didn’t even realize there were so many Snow White movies.
It’s always fun to look into how many variations there are of a story. There are even more of these (I think one in the 80s maybe, animated films plus some foreign language titles too), but these seemed like the “easier” ones to find and have more universal appeal. Nothing wrong with not loving a story. :)