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Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

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Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

Released Nov 14, 1964

1h 20m

Holiday

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

24%

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25 Reviews

27%

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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

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.

Dec 10, 2016

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Time Out

[A] hilariously bad stab at sci-fi.

Jun 24, 2006

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Howard Thompson

New York Times

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.

Rated: 3/5

May 9, 2005

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

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.

Rated: C

Mar 9, 2025

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Full of endearingly oafish makeup, sets, and dialogue.

Rated: C

Nov 29, 2022

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

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.

Rated: 1/5

Dec 17, 2020

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Shawn R

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

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

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movie m

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

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/05/24

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Evan B

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/24

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Diana I

Right up there with plan nine from outer space

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/03/24

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Matthew F

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

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/27/24

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Blu B

One of the worst Christmas movies ever made. Yeah obviously something like this you would expect to be bizarre but somehow it's boring also and never so bad it's good. Atrocious cinematography, acting, and pacing all around. The music is bad also despite the catchy opening tune. The editing isn't good either. This is as if someone tried combining Plan 9 From Outer Space and a medicore Christmas movie and tried merging them together with results you'd expect. Cheap set design, boring camerawork, cheap stock footage, laughably bad costumes, and yet there is hardly any charm at all to be found. Send it to Mars where it belongs and never watch this.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

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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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