ROUND 1: ZERO TO HERO AVATAR: In an era saturated with 3D releases, audiences have embraced immersive cinema, and James Cameron’s AVATAR and Tim Burton’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND stand out as defining examples. Beyond gimmicks, the question remains which film lands as the bigger blockbuster. CombatCorner weighs in with a verdict. The film’s hero is Jake Sully, a paralyzed ex-marine who gains mobility through his avatar body, joining forces with the Na’vi to resist humans threatening their world.
ALICE: Tim Burton’s adaptation follows Alice, a spirited 19 year old with a fierce sense of independence. She confronts the Jabberwocky and faces the tyrannical Red Queen, steering the story toward a climactic confrontation.
SCORE: AVATAR – 1 ALICE IN WONDERLAND – 0
ROUND 2: PLOT LAYERS AVATAR: Avatar brings the hallmarks of a timeless epic—romance, betrayal, redemption, and revenge—set in a vividly realized future. The narrative unfolds on a distant moon in 2154, where human miners seek to extract unobtanium while clashes erupt with the native Na’vi who call that world home.
ALICE: In contrast, Burton’s take can feel over familiar, with a twist that sometimes treads on predictability. The story arc moves with a familiar rhythm: a girl falls into a magical hole, is urged to face a dragon, defeats it, and returns. In this round, Avatar nudges Alice deeper into the rabbit hole, earning another point.
SCORE: AVATAR – 2 ALICE IN WONDERLAND – 0
ROUND 3: VISUAL FEATS AVATAR: Even when the plot falters, the visuals carry the film. Avatar presents a cascade of alien landscapes and dreamlike worlds that redefine immersive 3D cinema. Its visual mastery earned an Oscar for Best Visual Effects and left a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
ALICE: ALICE IN WONDERLAND also dazzles with bold color and imaginative character design. Yet some effects feel uneven, and a few moments—the Knave of Hearts’ walk, for example—don’t land smoothly. Still, the ambitious visuals reinforce the fantasy at the heart of the story.
AVATAR’s effects sweep viewers into Pandora and make the world feel truly tangible. SCORE: AVATAR – 3 ALICE IN WONDERLAND – 0
ROUND 4: A MESSAGE WORTH SIZING UP AVATAR: A film can entertain and still carry a meaningful message. Avatar achieves both by addressing the darker side of humanity and, through Sully’s courage, inviting viewers to act with empathy and responsibility. The film’s themes resonate on a level that lingers beyond the screen.
ALICE: ALICE IN WONDERLAND glows with beauty and whimsy but can lack a single, driving moral. It celebrates imagination and individuality, yet its takeaway feels diffuse rather than singular. In the end, the Red Queen lacks heart, while Avatar continues to carry weight for many viewers.
SCORE: AVATAR – 4 ALICE IN WONDERLAND – 0
ROUND 5: BOX OFFICE BATTLE AVATAR: When it comes to drawing crowds, Avatar has proven unbeatable. The James Cameron epic has crossed the 2.9 billion worldwide mark, remaining the top earner in film history and a benchmark for blockbuster scale.
ALICE: By contrast, Alice in Wonderland drew a substantial global total, around 0.83 billion, buoyed by star power and spectacular visuals. The gap in earnings underscores the enduring appeal of big, windowed spectacles on the big screen.
AVATAR makes a stronger cinematic impact, elevating the overall experience over Alice in Wonderland. SCORE: AVATAR – 5 ALICE IN WONDERLAND – 0
ROUND UP: Alice in Wonderland may feature Depp, but depth is uneven. Disney has crafted a modern retelling with promise, yet it often lacks the resonance audiences crave. Avatar delivers a distinct cinematic journey: a believable hero, a timely environmental message, stunning visuals, and strong box office success wrapped in storytelling that connects. If wonder is what you seek, Avatar stands as the better choice. [Box Office Mojo, Avatar 2009 box office]
Citations: Box Office Mojo provides the box office context for Avatar, while additional industry data corroborates the figures mentioned above. [Box Office Mojo]