Alice Kingsleigh, portrayed by Mia Wasikowska, is the daughter of Charles Kingsleigh, a wealthy man with aspirations of discovering lucrative shipping routes during the 19th century. When young Alice shares her whimsical tales of Wonderland, soon to be unveiled as 'Underland,' her father dismisses her stories as madness, yet he fondly remarks that all imaginative individuals are somewhat mad. Years later, following her father's passing, Alice finds herself longing for his playful spirit.
Now bound by the constraints of societal expectations, Alice is taken to a garden party where it is hoped she will accept a marriage proposal from Hamish, the son of her father's business partner. Just as she starts to feel overwhelmed, she spots a curious rabbit dressed in a waistcoat, compelling her to chase after it. This pursuit leads her to an ancient tree, where she tumbles down a rabbit hole and discovers a peculiar room filled with a key, a shrinking drink, and a cake that enlarges her. After using the key to access a tiny door, she emerges into a vast garden.
In this enchanting space, she encounters the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), the Dormouse (Barbara Windsor), a Dodo bird (Michael Gough), and the Tweedles (Matt Lucas). The White Rabbit insists he has located the right Alice, while the Dormouse thinks otherwise. Despite Alice's claim of her identity, her doubt grows when they reveal she’s prophesied to defeat the Jabberwocky on the Frabjous Day. Amidst the commotion and the arrival of the Knave of Hearts (Crispin Glover), who abducts the Dodo bird, Alice stands her ground against the Bandersnatch but ultimately flees after it scratches her.
Venturing further, she meets the Tweedles, who try to aid her, only to be captured by a gigantic bird that transports them to the Red Queen's (Helena Bonham Carter) castle. The Knave of Hearts informs the Red Queen about the prophecy regarding Alice. Meanwhile, Alice meets the Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry) who guides her to Mad Hatter's abode, where she reunites with the Dormouse and meets the March Hare ([Paul Whitehouse]). The Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) joyfully welcomes Alice and speaks fervently about the sinister events leading up to the Frabjous day.
The Knave of Hearts soon arrives, forcing the Hatter to hide Alice in a teapot. As they navigate the dangers lurking nearby, Alice learns that the Red Queen's reign of terror has led to the banishment of the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) and the theft of her vorpal sword. When the Knave threatens, the Hatter makes a sacrificial escape plan with Alice, leading to their eventual standoff at the castle.
Later on, after a series of chaotic events, Alice makes a pivotal encounter with the Red Queen and the Hatter, and while playing a game of croquet, she’s thrust into an unexpected role as part of the royal court. Stuck in her oversized form, Alice clumsily disrupts the game, but her cleverness wins her favor with the Queen. As Alice plots her escape and her destiny unfolds, she ultimately faces off against the Jabberwocky, confirmed by her daring inner dialogue of "six impossible things" her father often spoke of.
In the climactic battle that ensues between the two competing factions led by the Red Queen and the White Queen, Alice proves herself a true champion, defeating the Jabberwocky and overturning the Red Queen's tyranny.
As peace is restored in Wonderland, the Red Queen is banished, while the Hatter celebrates in joyous dance. The White Queen presents Alice with some of the Jabberwocky's blood, allowing her to return to her world. Back at the garden party, Alice finds her voice, ultimately declining Hamish's proposal and boldly asserting her beliefs. This newfound determination has her embarking on a journey to explore uncharted realms aboard a ship named Wonder, with a bright blue butterfly, representing Abosolom, fluttering close beside her as a symbol of her adventures yet to come.
