Mars Attacks!

PG-13

Released Dec 12, 1996

1h 43m

Comedy

List

56%

86 Reviews

Tomatometer

53%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have, as they claim, "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale (Jack Nicholson) receives assurance from science professor Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan) that the Martians' mission is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total annihilation of the U.S. Congress, military men call for a full-scale nuclear retaliation.

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Critics Consensus

Tim Burton's alien invasion spoof faithfully recreates the wooden characters and schlocky story of cheesy '50s sci-fi and Ed Wood movies -- perhaps a little too faithfully for audiences.

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Billy R

I tip my hat to Mr. Burton

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/27/24

Full Review

Alan R

Strangely enough, this movie was so silly, it was funny as heck. It's even funnier after a few drinks. This movie had some of the best actors and actresses of Hollywood. As silly and bizarre as it was, it was enjoyable to watch. I actually liked this movie a lot because it was so bizarre. Definitely a much better film by Tim Burton.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/05/24

Full Review

David S

The movie ways way too long to where it became plodding. Stumbling along from one lame sight gag to the next. If you were REALLY high and saw it in a crowded theater I suppose it's funny. The whole invasion gets wrapped up in the last ten minutes. Lame.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

Full Review

Joe W

Simple, but fun. Not a thinking person's movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/18/24

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Israel S

Watched as a teen when it was released, and a couple of times after that and it always entertains me, it's funny and good for a good time. Maybe not the best Burton's movie, maybe not the most Burton's of all Burton's movie, but the photography is good, the cast is great and they deliver a good performance regardless the short time they are on screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Grew up on this movie. One of those movies you play once you find out it’s on.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/01/24

Full Review

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Tim Burton

Director

Jack Nicholson

President James Dale

Glenn Close

First Lady Marsha Dale

Annette Bening

Barbara Land

Pierce Brosnan

Professor Donald Kessler

Danny DeVito

Rude Gambler

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Mark Salisbury

Empire Magazine

A giddily madcap, surreal, sardonic satire that sets out to be deliberately cheesy.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 7, 2018

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Oh, those Martians! They are funny, mean little buggers, and they're worthing checking out.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 7, 2018

Full Review

Peter Rainer

New Times

It's a destructo orgy without any phony-baloney sanctimony about the fellowship of man -- or spaceman.

Dec 7, 2018

Full Review

Cory Woodroof

615 Film

It’s such a wonderful lampoon of the establishment and hammers in Burton’s disdain for those in charge. It’s also got the frenetic spirit of a PG-13 Tex Avery/Chuck Jones/Bob Clampett cartoon.

Jun 25, 2022

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

It's not the funniest, saddest, or most poignant film in Tim Burton's filmography, but it is a great deal of fun. (25th anniversary)

Rated: 4/5

Dec 15, 2021

Full Review

Caroline Golum

Screen Slate

Mars Attacks! may well be the last whiff of that Burton magic so cherished by generations of angsty teens.

Jun 25, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have, as they claim, "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale (Jack Nicholson) receives assurance from science professor Donald Kessler (Pierce Brosnan) that the Martians' mission is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total annihilation of the U.S. Congress, military men call for a full-scale nuclear retaliation.

Director: Tim Burton
Screenwriter: Woody Gelman, Bob Powell, Norman Saunders
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.8M
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Surround

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