Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is, for many, the definitive version of the tale. While it’s far from the only one, it remains by far the most influential. Even if it feels dated to modern audiences, it’s still a cornerstone of animated cinema and continues to look spectacular nearly a century later.
Continuing its controversial streak of live-action remakes, Disney recreated its animated classic with Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. The updates to the story—including a more autonomous princess and the addition of new characters beyond the dwarfs—have received mixed reactions, but it serves as a new introduction to the tale for younger generations.
Speaking of live-action takes, Mirror Mirror is one of several Snow White adaptations released in 2012, each with vastly different approaches. This one, starring Lily Collins and a delightfully wicked Julia Roberts, fully embraces a campy tone with lots of fantasy and vibrant colors.
Directed by Spanish filmmaker Pablo Berger (who later made Robot Dreams), this Snow White version (or Blancanieves), also from 2012, is one of the most unique. Set in 1920s Seville (Spain) and filmed in black and white, it offers a gothic vision that earned a Goya Award. The movie combines elements from the Brothers Grimm’s classic tale with other fairy tale motifs.
The most commercially successful of the 2012 adaptations was Snow White and the Huntsman, with a more grounded, darker fantasy tone clearly influenced by Christopher Nolan’s impact on cinema. Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth star in this more mature reimagining of the classic story.