Snow White Movie 2025: 5 Things that were Changed from the Animated Classic

Snow White is finally in theaters. The live-action remake of the 1937 Disney animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, is the talk of the town. Its ending has divided fans of the original film as well. But how much does it differ from the original animated film? In this article, we will find out. 

5. The Music is Changed from the Original

The music of the film has been updated and it’s almost completely different from the original. Since Disney marketed the film as a musical, so there are a lot of showtunes. Written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land Oscar-winning composers), the new songs let Rachel Zegler shine. 

However, Gal Gadot isn’t left behind as well since she gets her own music- All is Fair. Amid all the changes, two classics remain- Heigh-Ho and Whistle While You Work. The classic song- Someday My Prince Will Come has been updated with a modern tune- Waiting on a Wish. Why? It’s because there’s no prince in this version. 

4. There is No Prince in the new Version 

There is no prince in this story. Snow White does get a love interest, but he’s a bandit named Jonathan (portrayed by Andrew Burnap). He is the new character added to this version and is the one who gives Snow White her kiss of true love. Also, he too shares a song with Rachel Zegler. 

3. The Kiss Doesn’t End The Movie

In the original animated film, the prince broke Snow White’s death sleep spell by kissing her. The two then went off into the sunset to live happily ever after. However, the live-action version adds more to the story. After waking up from her slumber, she rallies the dwarves, Jonathan, the bandits, and her people, so that they can get back the kingdom by taking down the evil queen. 

This change isn’t new. The 2012 film, Snow White & the Huntsman, starring Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth in lead roles, did something similar. After Stewart’s heroine gets woken up by huntsman Hemsworth’s kiss, she rallies everyone to attack the evil queen and take back what is rightfully hers. What follows is a huge battle scene that ends with Snow White being coronated as the queen.

2. Dopey Speaks in this Version 

In the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs animated movie, Dopey is shown as a mute character who only communicates through gestures. In the live-action version, it initially seems like this has been kept the same, but thanks to encouragement from Snow, he works up the courage to talk. Also, he is revealed to be the narrator of the whole story. 

1. Changing the Meaning of “The Fairest in the Land"

In the original classic, Snow White is referred to as the “fairest in the land.” Back then, it referred to her physical appearance, mainly her youth and beauty. While that remains true in the newest live-action version as well, the phrase comes to mean something more.  

In the film, Snow White’s parents tell her to be “fair” to her subjects. So, when she becomes the rightful ruler again, she unites the people with the promise that she will uphold this value. Under the evil queen’s rule, community, empathy, charity, and other soft values were missing. This makes Snow White “the fairest of them all” and thus, a worthy ruler.