Alice in Wonderland has shattered a number of box-office records after grossing an estimated $116.3 million this weekend, according to figures provided at Box Office Mojo. Tim Burton’s revamped version of Lewis Carroll’s fantasy tale far surpassed Disney's pre-release expectations, while delivering the best opening weekend ever for a 3D film. For comparison's sake, James Cameron's sci-fi adventure Avatar grossed $77 million on its opening weekend in mid-December 2009. (Though, admittedly, Avatar had a fierce winter storm on the East Coast to contend with.)
Alice in Wonderland, which stars Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp (top photo), Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas, and the voices of Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman, Barbara Windsor, and Michael Sheen, also broke the opening weekend record for a March release previously held by Zack Snyder's 300 ($70.8 million four years ago). Burton's 3D fantasy also shattered the first quarter's opening weekend record held by Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ ($83.8 million in Feb. 2004).
There's more: Alice in Wonderland had the biggest opening ever for a non-sequel (not adjusted for inflation) and gave IMAX its best opening ever, $11.9 million domestically, beating Avatar's $9.5 million record. (Alice in Wonderland is currently playing at 188 IMAX theaters in North America.) Additionally, Burton's latest has grossed an estimated $94 million in about 40 overseas markets, bringing its worldwide total to a staggering $210.3 million.
Tim Burton's previous best opening had been in 2001, when the poorly received Planet of the Apes, starring Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, and Helena Bonham Carter, took in $68.5 million in North America.
Whether Alice in Wonderland has actually sold more tickets than those other films — excepting fellow 3D'er Avatar — is another matter altogether, as 3D/IMAX admissions can cost up to 40 percent more than those for 2D movies. Also, movie-ticket prices have gone up on a yearly basis.
And finally, the question now is: How sturdy will be Alice's legs?
Photos: Alice in Wonderland (Disney Enterprises)
It looks as though I will have to see Alice now.