3 New Rachel Zegler Movies That Will Define Her Career (And The Controversies You Missed)

Rachel Zegler has firmly established herself as one of Hollywood's most talked-about young stars, and as of late December 2025, her slate of upcoming films confirms she is moving beyond her breakout musical roots. Following her critically acclaimed debut in *West Side Story* and her blockbuster turn as Lucy Gray Baird in *The Hunger Games* prequel, the actress is set to dominate the box office and streaming services with three major, and very different, projects.

From a highly anticipated, yet controversial, Disney live-action remake to a brand-new indie comedy-drama starring opposite an Oscar winner, Zegler is carefully curating a filmography that showcases her versatility. This deep dive uncovers the latest details, release dates, and the behind-the-scenes buzz on her next major movie roles, providing the most current information available on her career trajectory.

Rachel Zegler: A Quick Biography and Filmography

Rachel Anne Zegler is an American actress and singer who rose to international fame with her very first film role. Her career is a rapid ascent from high school theater to major Hollywood franchises.

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• Full Name: Rachel Anne Zegler
• Date of Birth: May 3, 2001
• Place of Birth: Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
• Ethnicity/Heritage: Her mother is of Colombian descent, and her father is of Polish descent. Zegler identifies as Latina.
• Breakout Role: María Vasquez in Steven Spielberg's *West Side Story* (2021), a role she secured at age 17 from an open casting call of over 30,000 applicants.
• Key Awards: Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for *West Side Story*.
• Major Filmography:
  • *West Side Story* (2021) as María
  • *Shazam! Fury of the Gods* (2023) as Anthea
  • *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023) as Lucy Gray Baird
• Stage Debut: She made her Broadway debut in Sam Gold's *Romeo + Juliet* (2024) and is set for her West End debut as Eva Perón in a revival of *Evita*.

The New Era: Rachel Zegler's Biggest Upcoming Movie Projects

Zegler's immediate future is packed with high-profile projects that will test her range, from voicing an animated princess to tackling complex, true-story-based drama. These are the three new movies set to cement her status as a leading actress.

1. The Disney Live-Action Remake: *Snow White* (2025)

The most anticipated, and arguably the most controversial, film on Rachel Zegler's slate is the live-action musical reimagining of Disney's 1937 classic, *Snow White*. The film is slated for a 2025 release and stars Zegler in the title role alongside Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen.

The Intense Controversy and Fresh Updates

The conversation around *Snow White* has been dominated by controversy, making it a highly discussed topic online. The backlash initially stemmed from Zegler’s casting as a Latina actress playing a character traditionally depicted as "fair-skinned." However, the discussion intensified following comments Zegler made in a 2022 interview where she called the original film "dated" and criticized the prince’s role, stating the new version would focus less on a love story and more on Snow White’s journey to becoming a leader.

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The ongoing media storm and the film's production delays have kept it in the news cycle, suggesting that the final product will be one of the most scrutinized Disney remakes to date. Despite the negative attention, the film is a major tentpole release for the studio, and Zegler's performance as the iconic princess is expected to be a major cultural moment in 2025.

2. The Animated Musical: *Spellbound* (November 2024)

Zegler is returning to her musical roots, but this time in animated form. *Spellbound* is a CGI animated fantasy musical from Skydance Animation and Netflix, directed by Vicky Jenson (known for *Shrek*). The film is confirmed to be released on Netflix on November 22, 2024.

In *Spellbound*, Zegler voices Princess Ellian, the protagonist. The plot centers on Ellian, who must go on a perilous quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters. The film features original songs by legendary composer Alan Menken, who is famous for his work on classic Disney films like *The Little Mermaid* and *Beauty and the Beast*.

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The all-star voice cast includes Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, and John Lithgow, adding significant star power to this highly anticipated animated feature. This project allows Zegler to showcase her powerful singing voice, which first gained her recognition.

3. The Indie Comedy-Drama: *She Gets It From Me*

Perhaps the freshest and most unique addition to Rachel Zegler’s filmography is the comedy-drama *She Gets It From Me*. The film is based on a true story and is being directed by Julia von Heinz.

Zegler is set to star as Nicky, a young woman whose engagement celebration takes an unexpected turn, prompting her to search for her estranged birth mother. The film is a tumultuous journey of a daughter striving to connect with her biological parent, who is described as a "pill-popping, ex-punk rocker."

The most compelling element of this project is Zegler’s co-star: Oscar winner Marisa Tomei, who will play the role of the birth mother. This mother-daughter dynamic in a true-story context offers Zegler a significant opportunity to move away from large-scale fantasy and musical roles into a more nuanced, character-driven drama. This movie is a key indicator of her commitment to diverse and challenging acting roles.

From Broadway to Blockbusters: Zegler's Topical Authority

Rachel Zegler’s career strategy is clearly focused on building topical authority across multiple high-value entertainment sectors. By balancing major Hollywood blockbusters—like the *Hunger Games* franchise and Disney's *Snow White*—with critically respected stage work and smaller, character-focused indie films like *She Gets It From Me*, she is demonstrating a commitment to craft over genre.

Her recent and upcoming stage performances as Eva Perón in *Evita* and her Broadway run in *Romeo + Juliet* are not films, but they are crucial for her long-term career. These roles solidify her reputation as a formidable singer and dramatic actress, giving her the credibility needed to tackle complex musical and dramatic movie roles in the future. This cross-platform success ensures that her name remains relevant and highly searchable in both the film and theater worlds.

The combination of a Netflix animated musical, a high-stakes Disney live-action film, and a grounded comedy-drama shows a deliberate path. Each of these projects—*Spellbound*, *Snow White*, and *She Gets It From Me*—is designed to reach a different audience, ensuring Rachel Zegler remains a dominant force in the industry for years to come. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of these latest projects to see the next evolution of this dynamic young star.