It’s time for another Disney+ Battle. This time we are comparing two films on opposite ends of Disney’s Silver Age of Animation. One is the second film of the era and features a character Walt Disney used in shorts even before Mickey Mouse. The other is the last film that Walt Disney directly worked on. It was released the year after he died. Let’s compare “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Jungle Book.”

1. PROTAGONIST

The main character of “Alice in Wonderland” is Alice. She’s a curious girl who follows the White Rabbit in a hole and goes on a wild adventure with the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, Tweedle-Dee, Tweedle-Dum, and the Queen of Hearts. It’s a crazy film. The main character of “The Jungle Book” is Mowgli, the man-cub that gets lost in the jungle. He is helped by Bagheera and Baloo to escape the likes of Kaa and Shere Khan who want to kill him before he can return to the man village. Both have more happen to them and actually do anything. I’m going to give a slight advantage to Alice though. Point to “Alice in Wonderland.”

Alice in Wonderland 1 | The Jungle Book 0

2. ANTAGONIST

The villain of “Alice in Wonderland” is the Queen of Hearts. She’s a cruel woman who wants to take off Alice’s head. But, alas, she is a figment of Alice’s imagination, as is everyone else in the film, as Alice is dreaming. Meanwhile, “The Jungle Book” has two villains. Kaa is a snake that wants to hypnotize and then squeeze Mowgli to death. Shere Khan is the ruler of the jungle who is fearful of what man might do. He is trying to kill Mowgli due to that fear. Kaa and Shere Khan are real, in the concept of “The Jungle Book’s” world. Point to “The Jungle Book.”

Alice in Wonderland 1 | The Jungle Book 1

3. SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

Both of these films are filled with spectacular supporting characters. “Alice in Wonderland” has the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the White Rabbit, Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum. “The Jungle Book” has Balloo, Bagheera and King Louie. They are all fun, but I think the supporting characters in “Alice in Wonderland” are better. Point to “Alice.”

Alice in Wonderland 2 | The Jungle Book 1

4. MUSIC

Both of these films have great scores that really drive the plots. You can tell when things are supposed to be fun or supposed to be harrowing. Honestly, for me, the scores are a tie. But the soundtrack is where “The Jungle Book” has the advantages. “Bare Necessities” alone would win this category, but “I Wanna Be Like You” is a banger as well. The Sherman Brothers outdid themselves and they didn’t even write “Bare Necessities.” Point to “The Jungle Book.”

Alice in Wonderland 2 | The Jungle Book 2

5. MEMORABLE MOMENTS

This is the most subjective category. What’s memorable for you may not be memorable for me, and vice versa. To me, the most memorable parts of “Alice in Wonderland” are going down the rabbit hole, drinking the elixir, off with their heads, and the mad tea party. For “The Jungle Book,” I remember “Bare Necessities,” “I Wanna Be Like You,” the elephants, Kaa trying to hypnotize Mowgli, Shere Khan’s attack, the fire, and Mowgli going back to the village. Point to “The Jungle Book.”

Alice in Wonderland 2 | The Jungle Book 3

“The Jungle Book” wins this battle. But it was incredible close. I could’ve seen either one of these winning. But I want to know, which of these films do you prefer?

Jeremy Brown

Jeremy has been a big Disney fan since he was a kid growing up during the Disney Renaissance. One day he hopes to go to every Disney Park in the world.

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