Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

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1:15

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

1964

1h 20m

Holiday

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

25%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

27%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Martian ruler Kimar (Leonard Hicks) is upset that the children of Mars are lazy and under the influence of too much pop culture from Earth. They are obsessed with the planet's television programs and don't want to do much of anything. In an attempt to get the kids peppy again, Kimar orders the kidnapping of Santa Claus (John Call), hoping that the jolly old toymaker will know how to cheer the children up again. But two Earth children are also nabbed, and this complicates things for Kimar.

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Critics Consensus

The endearingly cheesy Santa Claus Conquers the Martians might just be so naughty it's nice for viewers seeking a sub-competent sci-fi holiday adventure.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

12/10/2016

There's no warmth to the movie, no good cheer or happiness, and (at risk of bathing in bathos), ne'er a hint of what makes the season special.

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Time Out

06/24/2006

[A] hilariously bad stab at sci-fi.

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Howard Thompson

New York Times

05/09/2005

3/5

Adults may find it obvious and as square-cut as cheese. But let's face it. From now till you-know-when, the youngsters are all that matter.

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

Mar 9

C

The dull feature is best served to these young minds, while everyone else should only watch the movie fully riffed to get the most out of the viewing experience.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

11/29/2022

C

Full of endearingly oafish makeup, sets, and dialogue.

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

12/17/2020

1/5

Its status as one of the strangest films ever made about Father Christmas has given it a degree of cult status. Without that, it wouldn't have a snowball's chance of still being watched today.

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3d

It's a funny comedy because it's so awful. Everything is just so campy. The costumes, the makeup, the sets, dialogue and music are terrible.

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Shawn R

@satiable 12/13/2024

It's so bad, it's even worse than Plan 9 From Outer Space

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movie m

12/05/2024

Well at least it's not a garbage Stephen King movie

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Evan B

11/02/2024

Oh, boy. This movie has such a special place in my heart for just being terrible, and I hold it very close to me for those reasons.

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Diana I

10/03/2024

Right up there with plan nine from outer space

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Matthew F

05/27/2024

This is the greatest title for a movie ever everything else makes me want to gouge my eyes out

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Nicholas Webster

Director

John Call

Santa Claus

Leonard Hicks

Kimar

Pia Zadora

Girmar

Vincent Beck

Voldar

Donna Conforti

Betty

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Santa Claus Conquers the Martians: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Martian ruler Kimar (Leonard Hicks) is upset that the children of Mars are lazy and under the influence of too much pop culture from Earth. They are obsessed with the planet's television programs and don't want to do much of anything. In an attempt to get the kids peppy again, Kimar orders the kidnapping of Santa Claus (John Call), hoping that the jolly old toymaker will know how to cheer the children up again. But two Earth children are also nabbed, and this complicates things for Kimar.

Director: Nicholas Webster
Producer: Paul L. Jacobson
Screenwriter: Paul L. Jacobson, Glenville Mareth
Distributor: Something Weird Video, Sinister Cinema
Production Co: Jalor Productions
Genre: Holiday, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 14, 1964, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Dec 2, 2011
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 30, 2016
Runtime: 1h 20m

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