Alright, everybody, we are back with another head-to-head battle. This time I will be pitting our undefeated champion, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland against another popular book and film series, The Hunger Games. A recurring theme in The Hunger Games is going against unbeatable odds, which I find quite fitting in this instance. I mean, this is a blog about Alice in Wonderland after all. But, perhaps, the bow-slinging Katniss Everdeen and cake boy Peter will be able to steal the throne that has been consistently held by Alice. So, The Hunger Games, ready your bows, somehow camouflage yourself because you are good at icing cakes, and may the odds be ever in your favor, because you’re going to need it against the juggernaut that is Alice.

Worldwide Cultural Impact:

In this first round of our showdown, we’ll examine the global impact of these two massive franchises. Both have earned their places in the hearts of audiences worldwide, but in the end, one will come out on top.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Lewis Carroll could not even comprehend the impact that Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has had on the world. Its influence spans literature, film, art, and fashion. Wonderland's timeless allure transcends cultural boundaries, making it an enduring component of global literary and artistic culture.
• The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins' dystopian saga, The Hunger Games, has left an indelible mark on popular culture. Its exploration of political themes, survival, and rebellion resonates with audiences globally, making it a powerful cultural force.

Verdict: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - There is barely any comparison here, Alice is the winner. Don’t believe me? Go outside to a place where there are people, and just watch them. Take a mental tally of how many Alice-related shirts you see compared to Hunger Games shirts. Exactly. If that does not sway you, I don’t know a single song that is about the Hunger Games, whereas with Alice-related songs, there are too many to count.

Critical Appeal:

In this category, let's compare the critical acclaim of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and The Hunger Games. I’ve decided we will be focusing on the critical appeal of the books due to the unfair advantage that Alice would have if we were comparing the critical reception of the films. An Academy Award trumps a Teen Choice Award.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Lewis Carroll's inventive satire of Victorian high society was critically celebrated for its unique blend of whimsy and philosophical depth, which has earned it a timeless status in the Western literary canon.
• The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins' trilogy, starting with The Hunger Games, has received critical acclaim for its gripping narrative, social commentary, and complex characters navigating a dystopian world. While praised for its relevance and impact, some critics have raised concerns about its depiction of violence.

Verdict: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - The Hunger Games was close, but of course, Alice is going to win here. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has endured for over a hundred years. The critics loved it then and they love it now.

Influences on Language:

Now, let’s talk about language. Both franchises have left linguistic marks with unique phrases and terminology.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: "Down the rabbit hole”, "mad as a hatter”, “off with their heads.” These are a few examples of common phrases said today that I can come up with off the top of my head. Of course, I can’t not mention that Carroll's linguistic creativity has created one of my favorite words, “chortle.” Ignoring my stupid infatuation with the word, Carroll’s inventive use of the English language has become so ingrained in our everyday life that we don’t even think about it.
• The Hunger Games: Phrases like "May the odds be ever in your favor" and terms like "tribute" have become part of everyday language, reflecting The Hunger Games' impact on the contemporary lexicon.

Verdict: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - I’ve done this section in every single comparison and after this one, I will be removing it from the competition. It’s always a “gimmie” for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the true way to measure a book's impact on language is to see how many words and phrases that were created in the book are used today without even thinking of the reference material. For example, if I were to say, “May the odds be ever in your favor,” people would go, “Haha yeah, Hunger Games.” But if I say, “I didn’t get any sleep last night. I went down a rabbit hole online and ended up learning how to blow glass,” people won’t be thinking, “Rabbit hole, like Alice.” They will be thinking, “Yeah man, you look super tired.” I also decided to ignore the fact that Carroll had invented the word “chortle” to make this comparison more unbiased.

Controversy:

Let's stir the pot here, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and The Hunger Games have faced controversies related to their content and themes. Do I agree with the points raised here? No, but I think it’s important to see which IP has “offended” the least amount of people.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Over time, some critics and readers have engaged in discussions about the surreal and whimsical nature of Wonderland, questioning its appropriateness for certain audiences. The abstract and sometimes nonsensical elements have sparked debates regarding the interpretation and potential impact on readers.
• The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins' trilogy, particularly The Hunger Games, has stirred controversy due to its portrayal of violence and its themes of survival in a dystopian society. Some critics have raised concerns about the appropriateness of such themes for the intended young adult audience.

Verdict: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Alice is the clear winner here. I mean the criticism that was raised is a Super Weeny Hut Jr. level of complaint. It’s too whimsical? What does that even mean? Whereas concerns about violence in The Hunger Games are to some extent more legitimate.

Books Published:

Numbers never lie, except when they are made up to prove a point, which I did not do here. In fact, I did math here, which is something I thought I would never have to do when I became a writer. But here we are…let’s take a look at book sales.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Lewis Carroll’s Alices Adventures in Wonderland has sold over 100 million copies around the world with more than 100 different translations. Since its original release, there have been over 300 different editions released.
• The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins' trilogy has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and has been translated into numerous languages, captivating readers with its dystopian narrative.

Verdict: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland - While both books have had immense success, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is the victor here. While they both have sold over 100 million copies, The Hunger Games needed three books to get there. If we divide 100 million by three, we get 33.3 million copies, whereas Alice’s 100 million divided by 1 still is 100 million. Hooray, math!

Box Office Success:

Next, we compare the box office success of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and The Hunger Games.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Disney's adaptations of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland have seen considerable success at the box office, particularly with Tim Burton's film, which grossed over $1 billion.
• The Hunger Games: The Hunger Games film series has grossed over $2.9 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful film franchises based on a book series.

Verdict: The Hunger Games - While both have achieved success, The Hunger Games' substantial box office earnings give it the edge in this category. I wanted to find exact box office information for Alice, but inflation and the sheer amount of Alice films that have come out makes it difficult to get proper numbers. So, I decided to compare the most successful of the adaptations. It is no question here.

Theme Park Rides:

Who doesn't like theme park rides? Okay, probably a few people, but I love them. As a kid when I read a book or watched a movie, I would always imagine parts I liked as rides and wanted to see how they could come to fruition. Fasten your seatbelts and keep your legs and arms inside the blog at all times.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Various Alice's Adventures in Wonderland-inspired theme park rides, notably those in Disney parks, allow visitors to explore the whimsical world of Wonderland, encountering familiar characters and scenes.
• The Hunger Games: While The Hunger Games doesn't have dedicated theme park rides, its influence has extended to immersive experiences in various entertainment contexts.

Verdict: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Alice has rides around the world, The Hunger Games has none. The closest thing to a Hunger Games ride is Fortnite, which isn’t a ride. I’ve read The Hunger Games books and can’t even come up with an idea for a ride.

Conclusion:

Alright, I’ve tallied up the score and, oof, okay, Alice in Wonderland got six points and The Hunger Games got only one. I can hear the cannon firing in the distance signaling the defeat of yet another IP. You put up one hell of a fight Hunger Games but when you go against the champ, you have to be prepared to take a few licks. But it was a valiant effort on The Hunger Games’ part and for that, we raise our three fingers in its honor, and let out a whistle, doo dee dee doo… Look, I actually really like The Hunger Games books, so when you decide to write your hate mail for your favorite IP losing against Alice, just remember, you can do that, or you could get a hobby. Perhaps archery or baking.

In the spirit of trying to broker good faith between the fanbases, I will now present some AI image mashups of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Hunger Games.

First off, we have Katniss Everdeen as Alice. And yes, she’s brought her bow to Wonderland.

Next, we have the Mad Hatter as a District 1 socialite, ready for the opening ceremonies.

I hope you all enjoyed this blog, let me know what you think. What IP do you want to see face-off against Alice for the next blog? Do you agree with what I said here? If you didn’t and can remain calm about it, I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you didn’t and can’t remain calm, Frank would love to hear your thoughts.

Meet the Author:

Jared Hoffman graduated from the American Film Institute with a degree in screenwriting. A Los Angeles native, his brand of comedy is satire stemming from the many different personalities and egos he has encountered throughout his life. As a lover of all things comedy, Jared is always working out new material and trying to make those around him laugh. His therapist claims this is a coping mechanism, but what does she know?