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Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

Play trailer 1:15 Poster for Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Released Nov 14, 1964 1h 20m Holiday Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Time Out [A] hilariously bad stab at sci-fi. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review 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 Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Full of endearingly oafish makeup, sets, and dialogue. Rated: C Nov 29, 2022 Full Review 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 Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row For those with a taste for bad movies, especially unintentionally hilarious ones that take themselves completely seriously, you can't do much better than this. Rated: 0/4 Aug 6, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review movie m Well at least it's not a garbage Stephen King movie Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/05/24 Full Review 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 Full Review Diana I Right up there with plan nine from outer space Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/03/24 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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
Sinister Cinema, Something Weird Video
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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