Johnny Depp's Fantasy Triumph: How 'Alice in Wonderland' Outperformed the 'Pirates' Franchise

As of November 1st, 2025, one of Johnny Depp's most overlooked films has emerged as a surprising box office triumph. In 2010, Depp starred in the dark fantasy-adventure 'Alice in Wonderland,' directed by Tim Burton. Contrary to expectations, this film has gone on to earn over $1.026 billion worldwide, making it a massive success.

With an estimated production budget of $200 million, 'Alice in Wonderland' generated approximately 5.13 times its costs at the global box office. This earnings-to-budget ratio outperforms even the most successful entries in Depp's 'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise, which had previously been considered his most commercially viable work.

The data shows that 'Alice in Wonderland' needed only around $500 million to cover its expenses, meaning it likely generated over $500 million in box office profits. This impressive financial performance underscores Depp's versatility as an actor, proving he can shine outside of his iconic pirate role and turn a modest budget into a worldwide box office triumph.