Top 10 Differences Between Snow White (1937) & (2025)

The remake’s colorblind casting has proven divisive among the online community. Although critics have praised Rachel Zegler as the best thing the remake has going for it, her casting as the titular princess has nonetheless been the main point of controversy. While much of the backlash is rooted in prejudice, some have questioned why the character is named Snow White if her skin isn’t white as snow like in the animated version. This is cleverly explained in the opening scene when the young princess’ mother gives birth on a cold winter night. Despite the harsh weather conditions, the baby is born happy and healthy. To commemorate this joyous occasion, the King and Queen decide to name their daughter after the snowy white backdrop.

The 1937 classic’s opening text establishes that Snow White is living under the rule of her cruel stepmother. The film doesn’t provide much insight into Snow White’s biological parents, although they’re presumably dead. This remake confirms what we always suspected. Snow White’s mother died when she was young. Her father married another woman, who bewitched him with her beauty. When he mysteriously vanishes, the Evil Queen assumes power. For much of the film, Snow White believes her father is missing in a distant land and will one day return. After Snow White takes a bite of the poisoned apple, the Evil Queen lets the princess in on her little secret: she killed Mufasa… we mean her husband… who was also a king.

The remake recreates some iconic scenes, cuts out others, and occasionally combines a few. When Snow White arrives at the dwarfs’ cottage this time, she immediately hits the hay. After getting acquainted with her new roommates, Snow White motivates them to clean up the house with her and the woodland critters. They make the task fun by humming a merry tune. In the animated version, the dwarfs arrive home to find that Snow White and the animals have already made the cottage spotless. Yet, we do get a scene where Snow White instructs the dwarfs to wash up for dinner. The remake removes the “Bluddle-Uddle-Um-Dum” song, but the updated version of “Whistle While You Work” essentially serves the same purpose.

Like in the original film, the remake’s Huntsman is ordered to kill Snow White, but he can’t go through with it. The animated Huntsman fills the box the Evil Queen gave him with a pig heart. It was probably wise to have that happen off-screen. The remake’s huntsman doesn’t resort to slaying a pig, instead filling the box with an apple. Obviously, this doesn’t trick the Queen, who has other minions at her beck and call. The Queen forced several townsfolk to become her guards, who she sends to track the princess down. Our villainess doesn’t just have guards this time. She has backup singers and dancers to assist whenever she feels the urge to spontaneously break out into a villain song.

Although Snow White and the Evil Queen clearly know each other in the animated feature, they surprisingly share few encounters. During the first act, the Queen vainly watches the oblivious princess from afar. Their only direct interaction is when the Queen “deglams,” tricking Snow White into eating a poisoned apple. The remake attempts to form more of a rivalry by adding a few scenes. Early on, Snow White asks the Queen to show more kindness to her people and mercy to a thief named Jonathan. The Queen isn’t thrilled with Snow’s insubordination, and the whole “fairest in the land” thing is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Snow White also confronts the Queen during the climax, regaining control of her kingdom.

They look different, but the dwarfs are pretty much the same personality-wise. Grumpy is still Grumpy, Sneazy is still Sneazy, and Doc is still… Docy. Dopey also has his dopey moments, but he’s the one dwarf given an arc. When the other dwarfs tease him, Snow White gets to the root of why Dopey doesn’t talk. She deduces that he’s afraid to speak. Snow White motivates Dopey to express himself by teaching him to whistle. Later, as our heroes try to figure out what to do about the Queen, Dopey finally speaks up. Just as Snow White helped Dopey find his voice, he provides words of inspiration that send the princess back to her kingdom. Oh, and the narrator? That was Dopey too.

In addition to The Dwarfs’ Washing Song, the remake removes “I’m Wishing,” “One Song,” and “With a Smile and a Song.” Most notably absent other than an instrumental version is “Someday My Prince Will Come.” Because this Snow White doesn’t wait for anyone… other than her father to return. “Heigh-Ho” gets a few new lyrics to reflect the dwarfs’ personalities as well. Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Jack Feldman also contributed several new tunes, including an ensemble piece in “Good Things Grow,” an “I Want” song in “Waiting on a Wish,” a villain song in “All Is Fair,” a comedic song in “Princess Problems,” and a love ballad in “A Hand Meets a Hand.” It’s a soundtrack you can listen to while you work.

Of Disney’s animated couples, Snow White and the Prince admittedly have the most rushed romance. The Prince shows up in the beginning, sings to Snow White, and boom! Their hearts are forever intertwined, although we’re not sure if she even got his name. In any case, he returns for the finale to deliver true love’s kiss, despite only meeting Snow White once. In the remake, Snow White’s love interest drops the prince title, but gains a name. Jonathan is a thief who Snow White helps escape from captivity. Jonathan and his band of rebel bandits return the favor when they encounter Snow White in the forest. In addition to delivering the life-saving kiss, there’s also a narrow brush with death involving an arrow.

The third act is where the remake takes the most liberties. Following the original’s blueprint, Snow White eats the poisoned apple and is awakened with a kiss from her true love. This time, though, the dwarfs don’t chase the Queen up a mountain where she falls to her death. The Queen escapes to her kingdom, but her victory is short-lived. After rising from slumber, Snow White returns home, encouraging everyone else in the kingdom to stand against the Queen. Even the mirror turns on the Queen, saying that she will never be the fairest. Enraged, the Queen shatters the mirror, deus ex machina-ing herself out of the movie. Aww, so the vultures don’t get to consume her remains? Poor little critters.

The original film doesn’t delve deep into the politics of this land. Come to think of it, we don’t even see any of the kingdom’s inhabitants outside of Snow White, the Queen, and the Huntsman. We suppose it doesn’t really matter. All we know is that the Queen is evil and she’s oppressing Snow White. In the remake, she’s oppressing everyone in the kingdom, even forcing civilians to become enforcers. The film contains a clear anti-fascist message with Snow White, the bandits, and the dwarfs forming a rebellion against the Queen. The film may simplify these themes with pretty words and a crossbow ultimately saving the day. Still, it’s a reminder that change starts with someone speaking out.

What did you think of the “Snow White” remake and these changes? Let us know in the comments.