The 10 Best Adaptations Of Snow White (And Where You Can Watch Them)

One of Snow White's earliest adaptations came in the form of a Betty Boop short titled Snow-White. Everyone's favorite animated flapper takes the titular role, and Max Fleischer's other well-known characters, Bimbo and Kiko, receive orders from the Queen to execute her. That, of course, doesn't go as planned, and the plot veers from the source material into something much more goofy and fantastical.

Complete with ghosts and dragons, Snow-White is ideal for classic movie enthusiasts who aren't looking for anything too serious. If you want a more faithful telling of the Brothers Grimm story, you'll have to look elsewhere. This one is purely comedy.

Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has quite a few "firsts" under its belt. Not only is it Disney's first animated feature film, but it's also the first animated feature film in the entirety of the US. Disney himself credits 1916's Snow White with inspiring the movie. However, Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs would become the landing page for interpretations going forward.

From popularizing the "true love's kiss" trope to cementing Disney princess movies as bona fide musicals, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a must-watch for its iconic legacy alone. While it may feel dated at times, there's still enough magic to keep modern viewers interested. If you're even considering watching the 2025 remake, watch this one first.

In this retelling of Snow White, the Three Stooges replace the dwarves from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And yeah, that's pretty much the story. Complete with a magic mirror, a poisoned apple, and a good-looking Prince Charming played by Edson Stroll, the movie hits all the major plot points and tropes popularized by Disney's animated film.

Funny enough, Snow White and the Three Stooges' biggest downfall seems to be too much Snow White and not enough Stooges. Those expecting the usual slapstick antics of Moe, Larry, and Curly will likely be disappointed. However, others might find a certain charm in the absurdity of it all. So-bad-it's good is a fitting descriptor here.

Part of Cannon Movie Tales direct-to-video fare, which included other fairy tale adaptations like Beauty and the Beast and The Frog Prince, 1987's Snow White delivers a somewhat corny but faithful plot. Unlike Disney's original movie, this retelling offers more insight into Snow White's relationship with her father, which is a neat touch for those seeking something a little different from the well-told tale.

Still, 1987's Snow White is best remembered for Diana Rigg's wonderfully campy performance as the Evil Queen, who has to work a lot harder here to get Snow White acquainted with the infamous poisoned apple. Somehow both ahead of its time and showing its age, this one will appeal to audiences with a taste for '80s nostalgia and cheese. 

The darkness in Snow White nicely lends itself to horror. Least we not forget that the Brothers Grimm's story ended with the Queen dancing in hot iron shoes until she died. Snow White: A Tale of Terror delivers on this premise, featuring a horror-infused retelling with plenty of brutality and B-movie cheese. Sam Neill and Monica Keena comprise the main cast. However, Sigourney Weaver's performance as the evil stepmother steals the show.

Critically, A Tale of Terror left audiences divided, with some reviewers using adjectives like "brilliant," and others opting for "overcooked." Personally, the former feels most fitting. Foreboding, chilling, and, at times, downright gruesome, A Tale of Terror delivers one of the most unique interpretations of the original story to date, and it's sure to delight horror fans.

In Once Upon a Time, fairy tale characters reside in the town of Storybrooke. However, a curse robs them of their memories, and it's not until Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) arrives that mysteries come to light. Although Once Upon a Time introduces numerous fairy tales and characters, Snow White plays a major role in the series.

Filled with murder plots, sexual suggestiveness, and plenty of network TV violence, Once Upon a Time is meant for adults and older teenagers. It's a little like The Vampire Diaries (2009) meets Grimm (2011), but with more dark whimsy. Best enjoyed without spoilers, just know that Once Upon a Time has seven seasons of creative retellings and layered storytelling to look forward to.

For whatever reason, 2012 was the year of Snow White adaptations. Mirror Mirror dropped alongside Snow White and the Huntsman and the lesser-known Grimm's Snow White, yet delivered much more comedy than its competitors. Here, Julia Roberts plays the Evil Queen to Lily Collins' Snow White. In addition to a big-name cast, Mirror Mirror gives the dwarves a more substantial mentor-esque role.

Although a cinematography treat for the eyes, it lacks oomph when compared to the other entries on the list. That's not to say it's bad by any means. However, it's best suited for fans of lighthearted comedies not craving the darkness present in the Brothers Grimm's original tale. Expect that going in, and you're in for a fun, colorful romp with a competent big-name cast.

While Mirror Mirror offers lighthearted laughs, Snow White and the Huntsman swerves into darker themes befitting the fairy tale's roots. Charlize Theron plays one of the more powerful (and ironically feminist) versions of the Evil Queen as Kristen Stewart's Snow White and Chris Hemsworth's Eric the Huntsman conspire to overthrow her.

Beautiful cinematography aside, Snow White and the Huntsman twists the classic tale into an epic adventure with medieval flair. A little like The Dark Knight trilogy is to Batman, this movie trades colorful settings and upbeat plot points for atmospheric backgrounds and a gritty, high-stakes story. Not quite as horrific as A Tale of Terror, Snow White and the Huntsman is for audiences in search of action-oriented fantasy with a touch of darkness.

If you're looking for something similar to Disney's version of the princess, you won't find it here. Snow White with the Red Hair very much does its own thing with the source material. In this shōjo anime, Shirayuki (the Snow White of the story) is an herbalist who is essentially captured by a prince in awe of her red hair and rescued by another. However, Shirayuki never falls into "damsel in distress" territory.

While absent of many of the things that most consider vital to Snow White, like the Evil Queen and dwarves, Snow White with the Red Hair offers one of the more unique takes on the fairy tale while still homaging the classic story that so many adore. If you love anime—or just like animation in general—consider trying the anime, especially if romance-heavy stories are your thing.

There has been no shortage of Snow White adaptations, as this list proves. However, 2025's Snow White marks Disney's first Snow White movie since 1937. Like Walt Disney's other live-action remakes, Snow White sticks rather closely to its animated counterpart, at least plotwise. Although laden with pre-release controversy, Rachel Zegler delivers a magical performance with musical prowess as expected from the West Side Story (2021) and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) actor.

That said, Snow White is more likely to appeal to kids or those unfamiliar with the original Disney movie. It might have moments of endearment, but the clunky pacing, heavy CGI use, and awkward performances give the remake a high chance of turning off true Snow White fans. Skip it. Watch it. That really comes down to how die-hard a Disney fan you are. If you register with the term "Disney Adult" at all, I'd recommend protecting your nostalgia for the original.