Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Disney's timeless animated classic takes curious young Alice on a madcap journey through the wonderfully absurd world of Wonderland.
Alice in Wonderland - Movie Information
- Original Title: Alice in Wonderland
- Release Year: 1951
- Directed by: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson et al.
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, Family, Fantasy, Adventure
- Age Rating (US): G
- Runtime: 1h 15m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 14, 1951 (United States - G), December 21, 1951 (Canada), October 19, 1951 (United Kingdom - U), December 16, 1952 (Germany - 0), December 21, 1951 (France - TP), December 15, 1951 (New Zealand), December 21, 1951 (Australia - G), July 1, 1952 (Brazil - L), January 1, 1952 (Mexico), December 6, 1951 (Italy - T), April 17, 1954 (Spain - A)
- Alternative Titles: Η Αλίκη στη Χώρα των Θαυμάτων (GR), Аліса ў краіне цудаў (BY), אליס בארץ הפלאות (IL), Alice no País das Fadas (PT), Alisa v strane chudes (RU), Disney's Alice in Wonderland (US), Алиса у земљи чуда (RS), 爱丽斯梦游仙境 (CN)
- Production Companies: Walt Disney Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Alice in Wonderland - Plot
On a golden afternoon, wildly curious young Alice tumbles into the burrow and enters the merry, madcap world of Wonderland full of whimsical escapades.
Alice in Wonderland - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Wonderland's magic come to life:
A world of wonders in one great picture!
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Alice in Wonderland - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Clyde Geronimi
- Wilfred Jackson
- Hamilton Luske
Main Cast
- Kathryn Beaumont
- Ed Wynn
- Richard Haydn
- Sterling Holloway
- Jerry Colonna
- Verna Felton
- J. Pat O'Malley
- Bill Thompson
- Heather Angel
- Joseph Kearns
Writers
- Aldous Huxley
- Joe Rinaldi
- Winston Hibler
- Dick Kelsey
- John Walbridge
Producers
- Walt Disney
Alice in Wonderland - FAQs
What is Alice in Wonderland (1951) about?
The film follows Alice, a curious and imaginative young girl who tumbles down a rabbit hole into Wonderland — a delightfully chaotic realm filled with eccentric characters like the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and the tyrannical Queen of Hearts. It's a whimsical adventure about curiosity, identity, and the magic of childhood imagination.
Is there a hidden meaning behind Wonderland's madness?
Wonderland's apparent nonsense is actually rich with meaning. The film — rooted in Lewis Carroll's classic novels — uses absurdist logic to explore Alice's search for identity and her struggle to make sense of a world that refuses to follow rules. Many scholars read it as a meditation on growing up and the loss of childhood innocence.
Where can you stream Alice in Wonderland (1951)?
You can stream Alice in Wonderland on Disney Plus as part of its subscription library. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and FlixFling.
What does the Cheshire Cat represent in the film?
The Cheshire Cat — voiced with silky mischief by Sterling Holloway — is one of the film's most iconic figures. He represents ambiguity and philosophical detachment, always present yet never fully there. His famous fading act, leaving only his grin behind, has become one of animation's most enduring visual metaphors for the elusive nature of logic itself.
Who are the main voice actors in this film?
Kathryn Beaumont brings Alice to life with warmth and wonder, while Ed Wynn steals scenes as the delightfully unhinged Mad Hatter. Sterling Holloway voices the enigmatic Cheshire Cat, Verna Felton delivers a ferocious Queen of Hearts, and Jerry Colonna is wonderfully manic as the March Hare.
Is Alice in Wonderland (1951) based on a book?
Yes — the film draws from Lewis Carroll's beloved novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1871). Disney's adaptation blends elements from both books, condensing Carroll's episodic storytelling into a single animated adventure while preserving the spirit of his wonderfully strange literary world.
Was the 1951 film a box office success?
Its theatrical run was modest by Disney standards — the studio had hoped for a bigger hit. However, the film found its true audience over the decades through television broadcasts and re-releases, eventually earning over $57 million worldwide and cementing its place as one of Disney's most beloved animated classics.
What makes this version different from later adaptations?
Disney's 1951 version stands apart for its hand-drawn artistry, vibrant surrealist color palette, and a distinctly musical approach — featuring songs like “A Very Merry Unbirthday.” Unlike Tim Burton's 2010 live-action reimagining, this film leans fully into Carroll's original dreamlike absurdism, making it the purest animated interpretation of the source material.
More About Alice in Wonderland
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