Move over, magic mirrors and fairy tales—Jason Statham rewrote the box office rules! In a jaw-dropping upset, the action star’s gritty new drama A Working Man steamrolled Disney’s Snow White remake to claim the No. 1 spot this weekend, pulling in a whopping $35 million domestically. Industry insiders call it the biggest surprise of the summer, once again proving that Statham’s loyal fan base will show up for more than just fists and fast cars.
A Working Man, directed by newcomer Sarah Vick, stars Statham as a struggling factory worker fighting to save his town from corporate greed. The film, praised for its raw emotional punch and Statham’s stripped-down performance, opened strong with packed theaters and rave reviews. Meanwhile, Snow White—despite its star-studded cast, lavish CGI, and a 200 million budget—stumbled with a softer−than−expected 200 softer-than-expected 28 million debut. Critics blame the remake’s lukewarm reception on its controversial creative choices, including backlash over its modernized take on the classic tale.
“Nobody saw this coming,” said box office analyst Mark Tranter. “Statham’s film tapped into something real—audiences are craving stories about everyday heroes, not just fairy tales. Disney’s Snow White had the hype, but Statham had the heart.” Social media exploded with reactions, with fans dubbing the upset “Statham’s Revenge” and memes flooding Twitter comparing the actor’s steely gaze to Disney’s “grumpy” dwarfs.
The victory is especially sweet for Statham, who’s long been box office gold in action franchises like Fast & Furious and The Meg. But A Working Man marks his first dramatic lead role, and studios are already buzzing about awards season potential. Meanwhile, Disney faces tough questions about Snow White’s rocky start, which follows recent struggles for live-action remakes like The Little Mermaid.
Will A Working Man hold its crown next week? Can Snow White cast a comeback spell? One thing’s clear: Hollywood’s playbook is changing, and audiences are here for the drama, both on and off the screen.