Disney’s Alice’s Wonderland Bakery is just the most recent portrayal of Alice from the classic novels by Lewis Carroll, a character who has appeared in a wide variety of movies and television series. Clearly, then, there is still something enthralling and entertaining about the story of the girl who finds herself transported to the magical world of Wonderland.

There are, in fact, numerous portrayals of Alice in the history of both movies and TV, so it is worth looking at some of the most notable and well-received of these, as has been measured by their score on IMDb.

Alice In Wonderland (2010) - 6.4

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Tim Burton is one of the most notable directors working in Hollywood, and most of his movies bear his particular aesthetic. Of particular note is Alice in Wonderland, which is his reimagining of the story as it has commonly been told.

It features many of Burton’s usual collaborators, including both Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter (who played the Mad Hatter and the Red Queen, respectively). Mia Wasikowska also brings out the inner strength of the Alice character and this, combined with the movie’s bright visuals, is a testament to Burton’s formidable cinematic imagination.

Alice In Wonderland (1986) - 7.2

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Many times, when filmmakers choose to adapt the Alice story, they choose to rearrange it or take out some of its most whimsical elements. This is not the case with this BBC version, which manages to be incredibly faithful to the original story.

Though this does result in a few pacing problems here and there, for the most part it manages to capture the whimsy–and even the danger–that were such key parts of the original novel. Just as importantly, it also features some truly extraordinary makeup and prosthetics, which help to capture the magical nature of Wonderland itself. This version’s Alice has just the right mix of innocence and ingenuity that has long made the character a favorite in film, television and Alice inspired video games.

Alice (2009) - 7.2

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Syfy has been responsible for many fascinating series, and one of their more extraordinary offerings has been Alice. In keeping with some of the other portrayals of Alice, it takes some liberties with the story, beginning by setting its own narrative 150 years after the original happenings.

It has a grittier feel which is somewhat at odds with other iterations of the story, but this is precisely what makes it so fascinating. It also features both very strong special effects (especially for Syfy) and a number of notable cast , Kathy Bates and Tim Curry. Caterina Scorsone brings a toughness to her portrayal of Alice, reinforced by the fact that she is a martial artist.

Alice In Wonderland (1985) - 7.2

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The 1980s was a particularly fruitful decade for retellings of the Alice in Wonderland story. This version is an unmistakably family-friendly affair, the sort of made-for-TV movie which was very common in that particular era. To be sure, some of the acting can seem a bit cheesy (particularly from a 2022 perspective), but there’s no denying that the story is faithful to the light-hearted and whimsical nature of the original story.

Natalie Gregory is an ideal Alice, with her bright blonde hair and her general wide-eyed innocence. As a result, she comes to embody the very things that have long made the character one of the most popular to have ever appeared in children's fiction.

Alice (1988) - 7.4

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Though the original story is, for the most part, a rather whimsical one, there is also a strain of darkness in it that has proven to be an especially fruitful area of exploration for some adaptations. That includes Alice, one of the more sinister retellings. With its unique blend of live-action and animation, it brings out some of the bleaker aspects of the story, including Alice herself.

She is, to be sure, a more violent character than she usually is in these stories, which helps to contribute to this movie’s high ranking among the s of the Internet Movie Database. This movie, more than others, demonstrates that there is often an edge to children's fiction that is worth preserving when it is adapted to the screen.

Alice In Wonderland (1951) - 7.4

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In some ways, Alice in Wonderland is one of Disney’s more underrated movies. Though it might lack the grandeur of Sleeping Beauty, it does have a whacky, whimsical charm that is very much in keeping with the original stories. It has a compelling portrayal of Alice (voiced by Kathryn Beaumont, who also played Wendy Darling in Peter Pan).

She has just the right mix of innocence and adventurousness, and she is constantly caught up in events that she can neither fully understand or control. Even though the movie takes some liberties with Carroll’s stories, Alice is very much in keeping with her literary counterpart.

Alice Through The Looking Glass (1973) - 7.5

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The BBC has been responsible for several adaptations of the Alice story, of which one of the most notable–and highly-regarded–is this outing from 1973. Given that this is the 1970s, the special effects can be a bit clunky, as can the pacing. Still, there is a light-heartedness to this particular story that helps to bring out the cleverness of Carroll’s writing.

What’s more, Sarah Sutton is a very fine Alice, managing to not only be the right age for the character but also bringing out the more likable aspects of the role. This is an Alice that viewers can actually cheer for as she attempts to navigate the fraught and dangerous territory of Wonderland.

Through The Looking-Glass, And What Alice Found There (1982) - 7.6

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Though there is much to enjoy about the Disney version and its animation, Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There is, in some ways, an even more impressive animated achievement. It keeps the strains of darkness from the original novels intact and, in this sense, is more faithful to Lewis Carroll’s vision.

What’s more, this Alice is a far stronger character than her Disney counterpart, with a curious and inquisitive mind that helps to underscore just how independent she is (though the movie also retains her fundamental innocence). This movie brings out those elements of Alice's character which have often been ignored in other screen adaptations.

Alice In Wonderland (1981) - 7.6

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Alice in Wonderland is a remarkable example of Soviet animation, and for this reason it is necessary viewing for anyone who wants to learn more about the legacy of the character of Alice. The movie as a whole is dark and bleak and at times disturbing, but this is what makes it such a fine adaptation.

This version’s Alice isn’t simply someone who waits around for something to happen to her. She is, instead, a remarkably strong character, a girl who sets out on her own path, no matter how dangerous or uncertain it might be.

Adventures In Wonderland (1992-1994) - 7.9

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Though many of the most notable Alice in Wonderland movies have tended to focus on the original stories, Adventures in Wonderland is a bit different. Instead, it has Alice periodically going to Wonderland, where she has a variety of adventures that help her to deal with her struggles at home.

There’s no doubt that Elisabeth Harnois is one of the series’ major charms, as she brings an irresistible charm to the character of Alice, who emerges from this series as a smart, capable, and very likable individual. Though not as dark or sinister as some versions, there is something whimsical and escapist about this Alice that makes it very appealing.

Next: Unmade Alice: 10 Facts About Disney's Creepy Original Alice In Wonderland