Why Disney's 2016 Alice sequel became a box-office disappointment despite its star-studded cast
In short: Alice Through the Looking Glass reunited a major ensemble cast for a return to Wonderland, but the 2016 fantasy adventure struggled to find its footing. While critics praised the film's visual spectacle, the narrative failed to resonate, ultimately resulting in a significant financial loss for the Walt Disney studio.
Directed by James Bobin, the film serves as a sequel to the 2010 hit Alice in Wonderland. The story follows a 22-year-old Alice Kingsleigh, who returns to Wonderland to save the Mad Hatter after discovering his family has gone missing. To help him, she steals the Chronosphere from Time, a god-like clockwork figure played by Sacha Baron Cohen, and travels through the past to uncover the origins of the Red Queen's cruelty.
The production featured an extensive cast, including Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, and Mia Wasikowska, alongside the final film performance of Alan Rickman. Development began in 2012, with principal photography taking place at Shepperton Studios and Gloucester Docks in 2014. Bobin specifically envisioned Cohen for the role of Time, aiming to portray the character as a confident idiot rather than a traditional villain.
Despite the high-profile talent and an ambitious premise involving time paradoxes and historical secrets, the film faced a difficult reception. It premiered in London on May 10, 2016, and saw a wide release later that month. With a production budget of $170 million, the film grossed only $300 million worldwide, leading to an estimated $70 million loss for the studio. Critics largely pointed to the story as the primary weakness, even as they lauded the film's aesthetic achievements.
The film's legacy is marked by this commercial underperformance, contrasting sharply with the success of its predecessor. Beyond the box office, the project remains notable for its technical scale, including the use of historic ships like the Earl of Pembroke during filming, and its score composed by Danny Elfman. Ultimately, the film serves as a case study in the challenges of expanding a beloved fantasy world into a franchise.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016 film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-alice-through-the-looking-glass-2016-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
