It is a normal day for everyone, until President of the United States James Dale (Jack Nicholson) announces Martians have been spotted circling Earth. The Martians land and a meeting is arranged, but not everything goes to plan, and the Martians seem to have other plans for Earth. Are they just misunderstood beings or do they really want to destroy all of humanity?Written by
Film_Fan
Producer/director Tim Burton pitched the idea of this movie to Warner Brothers by showing them the Topps trading cards that inspired the screenplay. See more »
Goofs
Richie brings home donuts to the trailer. His mother asks how old they are, to which he says, "Monday," and she retorts, "that's six days ago," making it Sunday - yet the opening scene says it is Thursday morning. See more »
Quotes
[Louise on the Metro Bus, notices her two sons named Cedric and Neville playing Flesh Eaters at the video game arcade]
Louise Williams:
Excuse me, folks. We've got to make an unscheduled STOP!
[She stops the bus at the Video Game Arcade, Cedric and Neville looks at his mother]
Neville Williams:
Oh, man! It's mama!
[she gets out of the bus, walking to his two sons, angry]
Louise Williams:
What are you doing here, huh? If you ain't gonna come home, why aren't you in class? Huh?
[grabs Cedric]
Cedric Williams:
Mama, because class was cancelled!
Louise Williams:
Class was NOT cancelled!
Cedric Williams:
Yes,...
[...] See more »
Crazy Credits
Special effects: No living animals were barbecued during the production of this film. See more »
Alternate Versions
A television ad had Marsha Dale saying (over the desicion of what to do about the Martians): "Kick the crud out of them!" which was an edit to what she said in the theatrical version: "Kick the crap out of them!" See more »
It's Not Unusual
Written by Gordon Mills and Les Reed
Performed by Tom Jones
Courtesy of Decca Record Company Limited Deram Records
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Licensing See more »
When I first saw this in the theater with my granddaughter, we both found to be pretty lame and disappointing, but not without some wit to it. Since then, it's been on the cable channels multiple times, and I always find myself watching it again. I really hate to admit it, but this thing has really grown on me - so much so that I finally bought the DVD.
When I first saw it, I wouldn't have given it more than a 4 out of 10, but after repeated viewings, I now give it a 9. I can't really say why, and I certainly can't justify it in any rational sense, but it all just works for me. The wry wit, the blatant social and political commentary, I find it all immensely satisfying.
My confession's over, I'll do my penance. But I have to also say that my granddaughter's opinion of it has never wavered. She considers this movie as evidence of my incipient senility...
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When I first saw this in the theater with my granddaughter, we both found to be pretty lame and disappointing, but not without some wit to it. Since then, it's been on the cable channels multiple times, and I always find myself watching it again. I really hate to admit it, but this thing has really grown on me - so much so that I finally bought the DVD.
When I first saw it, I wouldn't have given it more than a 4 out of 10, but after repeated viewings, I now give it a 9. I can't really say why, and I certainly can't justify it in any rational sense, but it all just works for me. The wry wit, the blatant social and political commentary, I find it all immensely satisfying.
My confession's over, I'll do my penance. But I have to also say that my granddaughter's opinion of it has never wavered. She considers this movie as evidence of my incipient senility...