Alice in Wonderland (1951)

80% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(500,233 ratings)

This Disney feature-length cartoon combines the most entertaining elements of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Chasing after the White Rabbit, who runs into view singing "I'm Late! I'm Late!," Alice falls down the rabbit hole into the topsy-turvy alternate world of… More This Disney feature-length cartoon combines the most entertaining elements of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Chasing after the White Rabbit, who runs into view singing "I'm Late! I'm Late!," Alice falls down the rabbit hole into the topsy-turvy alternate world of Wonderland. She grows and shrinks after following the instructions of a haughty caterpillar, attends a "Very Merry Unbirthday" party in the garden of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, stands in awe as the Cheshire Cat spouts philosophy, listens in rapt attention as Tweedledum and Tweedledee relate the story of the Walrus and the Carpenter (a sequence usually cut when Alice is shown on TV), and closes out her day with a hectic croquet game at the home of the Red Queen. The music and production design of Alice in Wonderland is marvelous, but the film is too much of a good thing, much too frantic to do full honor to the whimsical Carroll original, and far too episodic to hang together as a unified feature film. One tactical error is having Alice weep at mid-point, declaring her wish to go home: This is Alice in Wonderland, Walt, not Wizard of Oz! Its storytelling shortcomings aside, Alice in Wonderland is superior family entertainment (never mind the efforts in the 1970s to palm off the picture as a psychedelic "head" film). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 15 min.
Directed By: Wilfred Jackson, Clyde Geronimi
Genres: Animation, Kids & Family, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 28, 1951 Wide
On DVD: Feb 1, 2011
Studio: Film Chest

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
What's really disappointing is the undistinguished animation: the film looks and plays more like the Disney shorts than the Disney features.
Variety Staff, Variety
Walt Disney has gone a long way towards tightening the leisurely, haphazard adventure of Alice in the wonderland of her imagination.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
If you are not too particular about the images of Carroll and Tenniel, if you are high on Disney whimsey and if you'll take a somewhat slow, uneven pace, you should find this picture entertaining.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Despite nice elements in this Oscar-nominated Disney feature, the movie was at the time a commercial flop, but deserves to be seen.
Chris Cabin, Slant Magazine
Disney's radical animated classic finds its way into their unimpeachable Blu-ray catalog with all the walking bells and floating whistles.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
I'm not sure there's anyone alive that believes the 1951 film lives up to Lewis Carroll's deathless 1865 novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, but the animated feature remains a perfectly decent slice of kid-friendly surrealism...[Blu-ray]
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
plays as a series of colorful, but uneven setpieces that lack an interesting or emotionally engaging heroine to tie them together
Jules Brenner, Cinema Signals
Charm and relative simplicity play like a time capsule of animated movies past, which remind us of the Disney products that captivated our grandparents.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Surreal Disney classic with wild-card characters.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
An emotionally chilly exercise... At the same time it is gorgeous indeed, one of the most singular movies in the Disney canon visually.
Jo Berry, Empire Magazine
Fifty years on the movie is clearly due a reappraisal. It's colourful, fun and as surreal as Disney is ever likely to get, this isn't as good as the books, but works as a cute introduction to them.
Jon Fortgang, Film4
An enjoyable if rather pallid rendering of Carroll's classic tale.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The film is dazzling in its use of color and odd shapes and is enhanced by the distinctive voices of Ed Wynn as the Mad Hatter, Sterling Holloway as the Cheshire Cat, Jerry Colonna as the March Hare, and Verna Felton as the Queen of Hearts.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Disney's animated musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic is enjoyable and contains a few twisted touches and slanted visuals.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

A classic retelling of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, this is one of the strangest films in Disney's catalogue. I remember watching this as a kid, and thought it was really creepy for some odd reason. Maybe it was the Cheshire Cat with that grin of his or the Mad… More
A classic retelling of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, this is one of the strangest films in Disney's catalogue. I remember watching this as a kid, and thought it was really creepy for some odd reason. Maybe it was the Cheshire Cat with that grin of his or the Mad Hatter. Either way, Alice in Wonderland was one of those Disney films that creeped me out, and I thought it was a good film, but it kind of made me feel uneasy. This is nonetheless a good adaptation of a classic tale. This is a great film that might make you raise an eyebrow or two, however if you love Disney films, then this is yet another one worth checking out. Alice in Wonderland sure is an eccentric, surreal cinematic experience, but it's also one that you'll never forget. The film has colorful characters and a good cast. Like I said, Alice in Wonderland is weird, but it is definitely an entertaining film, one that will definitely appeal to Disney enthusiasts. Of all the films that Disney has put out, Alice in Wonderland may be the one that stands out the most. The sheer eccentricity of the film has made its reputation secure among fans of Disney. The film is definitely out of this world and very different from others in Disney's past. For what it's worth, this is still a must see film if you want to check all the essential Disney classics, as this is one of the most memorable of them all. Not the most perfect film that Disney has made, but definitely a stunning ride nonetheless.
Albert K

Trippy as hell. Comes to show how twisted Disney's minds can be. I wasn't interested throughout CUZ I DON'T SMOKE BRO
Alexander D

Good
Eric A

Just recently saw this movie after so many years! Not what I expected and not really Disney-like. Many things in this movie would never be seen in a G-rated movie in today's standards. Freaky.
Brad W

Disney classic
Lewis C

"Sentence first! Verdict afterward." This is a manic, imaginative adaptation of the manic, imaginative children's classic by Lewis Carroll. The movie quickly speeds through the major events of Alice in Wonderland, with a bit of Through the Looking Glass thrown in, as… More
"Sentence first! Verdict afterward." This is a manic, imaginative adaptation of the manic, imaginative children's classic by Lewis Carroll. The movie quickly speeds through the major events of Alice in Wonderland, with a bit of Through the Looking Glass thrown in, as well. The animation of classic Disney is a good match for the imaginative characters and situations that Alice encounters, and the trademark and expected Disney songs are fine (though not really among the most memorable of Disney tunes). It's hard to imagine any fans of Alice in Wonderland not liking this adaptation, as it tries its hardest to capture at least some of the cleverness of the story. From the insanity of the March Hare and Mad Hatter to the trippy Cheshire Cat and ruthless Queen of Hearts, Alice in Wonderland is one of the more unique Disney animated movies that have been made.
Tim S

The most bizarre film in the Disney animated cannon. I love it for that very reason. I love that Walt Disney allowed this bizarre piece of celluloid onto movie screens in '51. Just fantastic. :)
Michael E

a weird, entertaining, and fun animated film from the mind of Disney, and Lewis Carrol
Greg S

Reasonably faithful Disney adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic about a little girl lost in a charming nonsense world. The precious over-cuteness of the cartoon characters is a bit cloying and the musical numbers are syrupy and forgettable, but overall Disneyfication doesn't… More
Reasonably faithful Disney adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic about a little girl lost in a charming nonsense world. The precious over-cuteness of the cartoon characters is a bit cloying and the musical numbers are syrupy and forgettable, but overall Disneyfication doesn't damage the story too much. It's miles ahead of Tim Burton's 2010 "reimagining", at least.
AJ V

This is one of my favourite Disney movies of all time, and my favourite Alice in Wonderland movie, I even quote it. The animation is super cool, and the songs are awesome. I love it.
erika b

one of the best kids films yet.
KJ P

It has it's moments of charm, but it makes no sense and I hate it soo much!
Film C

this is my favourite walt disney movie, i absolutely love it, its amazing!! its fun, enchanting, funny and catchy tunes as well! its slightly creepy especially when i was young and i first watched this it creeped me out a little but it is a great cartoon movie that shouldnt be… More
this is my favourite walt disney movie, i absolutely love it, its amazing!! its fun, enchanting, funny and catchy tunes as well! its slightly creepy especially when i was young and i first watched this it creeped me out a little but it is a great cartoon movie that shouldnt be missed!!
Dead A

Dreams can be pointless. This was good.
Morgan S

Loved this book...it just didnt work as an animated movie...CANT WAIT FOR BURTONS ADDAPTION!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jennifer D

A trippy version of the original book, not bad, but not great. Definitely revived the interest in the novel.
Conner R

I've always appreciated the fact that this spared no expense to be bizarre and insane by nature. It's probably the most unique Disney movie and visually stunning as well. The characters and story are like no other and I can't think of anything I don't love about… More
I've always appreciated the fact that this spared no expense to be bizarre and insane by nature. It's probably the most unique Disney movie and visually stunning as well. The characters and story are like no other and I can't think of anything I don't love about it.
Thomas B

at least it was close to the book
Daniel H

For all it's charm and whimsy, it fails to capture the true, disjointed, and uneasy satire and wit of Carroll's original book. There are much better adaptations out there than this, and it is sad that most people directly think to this version when they think of Alice.
Cherry D

"Oh, you can't help that. Most everyone's mad here." You can't really compare this to the Lewis Carroll novel as it takes aspects from the original Alice and Through The Looking Glass, making the parts with the Mad Hatter's tea party and Tweedledee… More
"Oh, you can't help that. Most everyone's mad here." You can't really compare this to the Lewis Carroll novel as it takes aspects from the original Alice and Through The Looking Glass, making the parts with the Mad Hatter's tea party and Tweedledee 'n' Tweedledum blend together seemlessly. Every character is memorable with their vivid colours, personalities and own theme music, another Disney classic. I used to find some parts quite dark and creepy when I was younger, and probably still do =) <p align=center><a href="http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/aphrodite-90/?action=view&current=alice2.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg239/aphrodite-90/alice2.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></p align=center>