Alice in Wonderland

Movie review by Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Alice in Wonderland Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 4+

Surreal animated Disney classic with mild peril.

G 1951 75 minutes
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Parents say

age 5+

Based on 31 reviews

Kids say

age 5+

Based on 51 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Disney's classic animated interpretation of Lewis Carroll's tale Alice in Wonderland is a great "starter" Alice for younger kids before moving on to more mature and theatrical versions, like Tim Burton's trippy 2010 adventure. Disney's 7-year-old Alice embarks on a colorful journey that does include some mild violence (especially when she meets the sadistic Queen of Hearts) and taunting language like "stupidest" and "fat." Three animal characters smoke either a pipe or, in the case of the caterpillar, a hookah.

Community Reviews

Twotrees
Twotrees Adult
June 7, 2020
age 4+

Not as kid friendly as I remember

We turned this off half way with my two year old for a few reasons. 1. It's a hard film to follow and actually pretty boring. 2. Alice kept getting upset and no one cared 3. Various "bonks" with comedic levels of violence that just weren't worth it. Nothing major but didn't feel like it had a good message or there was enough care and concern for the characters. We didn't get to the Queen of Hearts, but I assume I would have had to fastforward that part.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.
Ryan W.
Ryan W. Adult
February 26, 2017
age 7+

Fast-Paced and Disturbing for Young Viewers

This movie has no real plot except that Alice is almost constantly in mortal danger. Loud and chaotic throughout. Wonderland is confusing and disconcerting to young viewers, and most of the puns/jokes and complex language are geared at adults. The last section of the movie is mostly focused on the Queen of Hearts and beheadings. Some of the scenes (like the flowers and the tea party) are enjoyable, but the rest might be fodder for nightmares for kids who are too young.

This title has:

Too much violence
1 person found this helpful.
See all 31 parent reviews

What's the Story?

ALICE IN WONDERLAND, the children's classic by Lewis Carroll about the girl who falls down a rabbit hole, is presented by Disney in this lively and tuneful version. Alice is reading with her sister when she sees a white rabbit, fully dressed, muttering about being late. She follows him down a rabbit hole to Wonderland, where she grows bigger and smaller, meets the Cheshire Cat, attends a mad tea party, talks to a caterpillar who puffs on a hookah, and triumphs over the Queen of Hearts, before finding that it was all a dream.

Is It Any Good?

Kids may enjoy the movie's silly characters, like the Mad Hatter and March Hare (especially the celebration of "unbirthdays"), and the tantrums of the despotic Queen of Hearts. Like another perennial favorite, The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland is the story of a girl who thinks she wants to go somewhere exciting, but, once she gets there, spends the entire time trying to find her way home. Wonderland may be different and exciting, but its inhabitants are often rude and unfriendly, even hostile.

It's worth noting that Alice does just about everything we tell kids not to do, including going off with strangers and eating and drinking things that may be dangerous. She acknowledges her mistakes in a song that kids will relate to: "I Give Myself Very Good Advice (But I Very Seldom Follow It)."

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the dreamy world Alice finds herself in Alice in Wonderland. Which of these wild characters is your favorite? Why do they celebrate un-birthdays in Wonderland? Could you celebrate one right now? Why does Alice sing the song "I Give Myself Very Good Advice (But I Very Seldom Follow It)"? When did you give yourself good advice and not follow it?

  • Families can talk about how this original version differs from Time Burton's Alice in Wonderland (2010) starring Johnny Depp, or how it differs from Lewis Carroll's original work.

  • How does Alice demonstrate curiosity and perseverance in Alice in Wonderland? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

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